Prepare for a career in business administration, management or leadership – or even explore entrepreneurship through our comprehensive business programs. More and more, our rapidly changing world demands business leaders who bring innovative ideas, It all starts with our foundational programs at SMC, where we offer a broad range of classes including marketing, finance, global trade and logistics, ethics, strategic leadership, and more.

According to leading research organization Brandon Hall Group, 84% of organizations anticipate a shortfall of leaders in the next 5 years. With education and training in business, you could be the next leader who helps close that gap. Business roles are diverse and dynamic, including administrative services manager, sales manager, business intelligence analyst, market analyst, compliance manager, and much more. You have what it takes to serve as a business leader within your chosen industry.

Marketing is one of the fastest growing, most in-demand careers, with an increasing number of jobs available across marketing management, sales management, creative direction, social media management, advertising and promotions, market research, and public relations. Technology. Social media, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other technologies have transformed the marketing landscape, and show no signs of slowing.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing management positions offer higher-than-average median annual income prospects compared to other business careers. Our marketing programs will train you to analyze business issues, problem solve, and develop effective marketing strategies to achieve business goals. Whether you decide to approach an agency or work in-house for an organization, marketing roles require constant innovation, creativity, a deep knowledge of tools and strategies, and the ability to manage multiple projects at once.

Imagine a career that could take you around the world. Global trade and logistics are about the movement of products and services across the globe to consumers. Santa Monica College is at the forefront of education and training in this fascinating career field. Programs in logistics prepare students for careers that entail managing the movement of raw materials, energy, finished products, money, people, satellites, information and more.

Global trade and logistics include supply chain management, operations management, packing, materials handling, transportation management, distribution center management, inventory management, procurement, warehousing, and systems controls. From cargo handler to sales executive, the range of possible career options is endless.

The entrepreneurial journey starts with an idea. Bring your idea to life and create a career that aligns with your values and offers freedom, flexibility, and unlimited earning potential. Every day is different in the life of a busy entrepreneur, and that is often part of what fuels the desire to be your own boss. The Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology has even found that entrepreneurs live healthier lives compared to employees.

Whether you are already an entrepreneur or aspire to own your own business, our programs teach you how to identify a viable opportunity, evaluate an idea and assess the market, leverage experiments to validate your idea, refine your business strategy, discover key financial insights, and understand how to raise capital and speak to investors. You will learn how to structure and operate your own enterprise, with skill-building opportunities across business strategy, product development, legal and financial concerns, and more.

The insurance industry is a great place to start a promising career. If you thrive in team environments, are adept at solving problems and have an entrepreneurial spirit, insurance offers many benefits including hundreds of thousands of job opportunities. Our programs are designed to prepare you for positions including claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner, investigator, and underwriter, with additional options in sales, legal and even data science.

You can transfer just about any skill to a career in insurance. Many roles require strong communication, deductive reasoning skills, creativity, design and scheduling proficiencies. Outside industries that involve insurance education and training include retail, hospitality, gaming, and the public sector. Students preparing for entry-level and advanced insurance careers take courses in personal, property and liability, and commercial insurance. This career path offers you the opportunity to shape what insurance will look like for years to come.

Your career in tax preparation starts today. Santa Monica College’s comprehensive small business tax practice department certificate program will prepare you for a rewarding career in tax preparation. Education and training can lead to you working as a tax preparer at a tax preparation office, becoming a California Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP), or operating and building your own tax practice.

Additionally, our program prepares you to become IRS Certified to participate in our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where you will train extensively to interview individuals and prepare federal and state tax returns for the low-income population. The VITA program is a nationwide program recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Understand tax laws and regulations, and gain real-world experience in this engaging program. Take the next step in your journey to creating a career that adds up to success.