Department of Integrated Business

 

What is Integrated Business?

Integrated Business is the newest of the seven BSBA degrees offered by UCF’s College of Business. IB represents a new approach to undergraduate business education.

Why You Should be an Integrated Business Major

Many of today’s students will go on to careers that comprise as many as six to nine jobs. They will work in several organizations and be required to manage a wide variety of programs across the business enterprise. With most job creation in medium and small firms, there is a good chance you will work in a company where the skills of a business “integrator” will be necessary and highly valued. As such, you need a more robust and varied educational experience than most specialty degrees can offer.

There have been numerous articles written regarding the strength of business graduates with a wider range of knowledge and experience to serve a more diverse role in companies and organizations. UCF College of Business Dean Paul Jarley has shared some perspectives from UCF alumni and other business leaders regarding this issue in his blog.

A Different Learning Experience

As an Integrated Business student, you will have an experience that stresses the links between business disciplines and functions. All classes are face-to-face, stress applied learning and skill development and make use of free, up-to-date resources rather than just textbooks. You can expect to hear from local speakers and work on real-world projects. You will graduate with both a broad understanding of business and strong financial, analytic and communication skills. Your learned experience in the major will not only help you land your first job after graduation, it will help prepare you for your next job and the one to follow.

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Integrated Business Skills

 

An Integrated Business student will demonstrate the ability to:

  1. identify, evaluate, and recommend modern technological solutions for contemporary business problems.
  2. analyze and evaluate the selling approaches for small and medium size companies in B2C and B2B markets.
  3. identify a business problem, gather data needed to analyze it, select the appropriate analytical tool, perform the analysis, and use the results to recommend an action or solution.
  4. contribute to the development and implementation of effective human resource management policies and procedures.
  5. identify and apply the principled negotiation process to reach a win-win solution when dealing with conflict.
  6. identify the goals of their organization, acquire and analyze useful data, and determine the most competitive strategy to meet those goals.
  7. describe and measure the flow of funds to and from a company and transaction flow within the company, determine the impact of such flows on profitability, and use this information to make effective decisions.
  8. create a detailed project management plan.

Graduates of this program will have a unique understanding of the structure and challenges facing small- and medium-sized companies.

Roughly 50 percent of our alums stay in Orlando and 40 percent of employees in Central Florida work for firms with less than 500 employees. Add in the fact that most job growth (and loss) nationwide is in “small and medium-size enterprises” (SME). It seems likely that many UCF grads will go to work for such companies.

Is this good or bad? The answer depends on what you want most out of your first job. Big companies tend to pay more initially, have better fringe benefits, and can devote more resources to formal employee training and development. SMEs tend to offer a more varied work day with greater responsibility coming earlier. This means more interesting work that offers more chances to be innovative and create something. You are less likely to be just “a cog in the wheel”. It is easier to get your voice heard, have greater access to top management and have responsibility over budgets. SMEs are also more likely to have you participate on, or have responsibility for, projects from start to finish.

In many ways there is a short-term versus long-term trade-off in the choice between big and small. Big firms will pay more out of the gate and probably offer more job security, but if you are a high performer, you may get promoted faster and learn the entire business quicker by working for a smaller company.

If you want to run a company someday, working for a SME is likely to get you there faster. In addition, the more varied experiences gained at SMEs are likely to give you greater long term “career security” by providing you with a broader range of skills, some of which are likely to be always in demand.

Likely First Jobs for Integrated Business Majors

You can expect to find entry level jobs in a variety of settings, including some large firms. Common first-jobs in Central Florida include:

Business Analyst

The business analyst’s primary objective is helping businesses implement technology solutions in a cost-effective way by determining the requirements of a project or program, and communicating them clearly to stakeholders, facilitators and partners.

Project Coordinators

The purpose of the Project Manager’s job is to ensure predictable, consistent, and successful project delivery. The Project Manager plans, coordinates, and monitors small to medium sized scope and budget projects, and partners with key business stakeholders to ensure a successful start-up and completion of projects.

Sales Coordinator/Associate

The sales coordinator develop, maintain and grow account volume and gross profit within an assigned territory. This person will be responsible for account development and retention, new account acquisition and face-to-face order taking within the confined geography.

Marketing and Research Associate

Will perform the following functions; analyze, collect data on customer demographics, forecast marketing and sales trends, assess the satisfaction of employees and customers, and find and implementing advertising needs. Marketing associates may also serve as a liaison between their company and its clients, and they may assist with planning events and handling social media.

Technical Recruiter

Technical Recruiter will be performing recruitment functions including all steps associated with candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, reference checking, placement, and management of prospective employees. Technical Recruiters also display the ability to develop and utilize strong communication channels with internal and external clients.

Operations Support/Specialist

Oversees and directs all operational and facility-related functions including: distribution centers, logistics, inventory management, distribution, maintenance of buildings and fleet. Obtains optimum performance of the team and maximum utilization of all resources. Develops facility and equipment upgrade and replacement strategy.

Account Coordinator/ Customer Service

Coordinates the engagement with clients or customers and problem-solving processes so that the team meets it required level of service or production.

Where Our Graduates are Working

  • Account Specialist at ODM Performance Solutions, Inc.
  • Accounts Payable Specialist at World Class Industries
  • Area Manager at Veteran Payment Systems
  • Assistant Technology Procurement Specialist at Westgate Resorts
  • Business Analyst at Masseys Services
  • Business Development Intern at AffiliateManager.com
  • Client Relationship Representative at Kforce Inc
  • Co-Owner & Head of Sales at Medscapes, LLC
  • Customer Service Representative at Enterprise
  • Customer Service Representative at OnlinePartyDesign
  • Data Reporting Supervisor at Drivosity, LLC
  • Digital Marketing Strategist at Masseys Services
  • Event Service Specialist at George P Johnson Experience Marketing
  • Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual
  • Human Resource Specialist at Pontoon Solutions
  • Land Acquisition Specialist at The Vestcor Companies
  • Level 3 Manager at Amazon
  • Market Research Interviewer at Integrated Insight Inc.
  • Marketing & Human Resources Specialist at WeeDu Inc.
  • Marketing and Research Associate at Coldwell Banker Commercial
  • Marketing Assistant at Affinity Waste Solutions
  • Marketing Coordinator at John Wiley and Sons
  • National Recruiting Consultant at HealthCare Scouts, Inc.
  • Operations Manager at Amazon
  • Operations Manager at Optimo Construction Solutions
  • Oracle HCM & Taleo Solution Analyst at Deloitte Consulting, LLP
  • Production Assistant at EO
  • Project Coordinator at SON Technology
  • Project Manager at CopyPress Inc.
  • Recruiting and On-boarding Solutions Specialist at Total Quality Logistics
  • Revenue Performance Management Analyst at Global Convergence, Inc.
  • Senior Healthcare Recruiter at Alligent Healthcare
  • Senior Purchasing Analyst at Publix Super Markets
  • Senior Reporter at The Sports Quotient
  • Senior Team Leader at Target
  • Service Technician at Canova Electrical Contracting Inc.
  • Staff Accountant at RLF Architecture and Planning
  • Technical Recruiter at 4 Corner Resources
  • Technical Recruiter at BlueWave Resource Partners
  • Technical Recruiter at TekPartners

 

How Do I Become an Integrated Business major?

All aspiring UCF College of Business Administration students, including transfer students must:

  1. Complete the General Education Program
  2. Complete the Gordon Rule requirements
  3. Complete the Business Common Program Prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better
    • MAC 1105: College Algebra
    • ACG 2021: Financial Accounting
    • ACG 2071: Managerial Accounting
    • ECO 2013: Macroeconomics
    • ECO 2023: Microeconomics
    • QMB 3003: Quantitative Business Tools I, or STA 2023 Statistics and MAC 2233 Concepts of Calculus
    • CGS 2100: Computer Fundamentals for Business
  4. Complete the Primary Business Core at UCF with a minimum GPA of 2.0
    • MAN 3025: Management of Organizations
    • MAR 3023: Marketing
    • FIN 3403: Finance
    • QMB 3200: Quantitative Business Tools II
    • ACG 3173: Accounting for Decision Makers
  5. Complete the GEB 3006 Career Development and Financial Planning

These courses must be completed before beginning the Integrated Business major.

Taking IB Courses as a Pre-IB Student

Students who are declared Pre-IB majors are permitted to enroll in some IB courses prior to completion of the primary core and formal admission into the major. If a Pre-IB student has been admitted to the College of Business, meaning they have completed the common program prerequisites, they are permitted to take GEB 3031 (Integrated Business Foundations) and GEB 4513 (Applied Business Technologies).

In particular, all students are strongly encouraged to take IB Foundations in the first semester they take IB courses. In addition, if a Pre-IB student has completed MAN 3025 (Management of Organizations), they are permitted to enroll in MAN 3302 (Essentials of Human Resources Management). Also, if a Pre-IB student has completed MAR 3023 (Marketing), they are permitted to enroll in MAR 3407 (Integrated Marketing and Sales).

Required Courses

All College of Business degree programs, including the IB degree, require 27 credit hours of advanced coursework in the major. The required courses are:
GEB 4522 Data Driven Decision Making Using public and private data to inform and drive business decision making and includes issue identification, feasible solution generation, optimal decision selection, performance tracking, and persuasive writing.
GEB 4513 Applied Business Technologies Focuses on a firm’s ability to recognize, evaluate and integrate technological developments in an advancing tech-driven business environment.
MAN 3302 Essentials of Human Resources Management Provides Integrated Business majors with a review of basic human resource management practices and policies and the organizational role of HRM function.
GEB 3031 Integrated Business Foundations Provides opportunity to utilize core competencies of team work, communication, and creative decision making through a hands on, small business consulting or problem solving engagement.
MAR 3407 Integrated Marketing & Sales Study of the professional selling process. Focus is primarily on Business-to-Business markets.
ENT 4412 Managing Small Business Finance Overview of the financial issues faced by small- and medium-sized businesses, including cash flow and working capital management and how to obtain financing.
GEB 4451 Business Climate Analysis Examines the impact of external environmental changes on industries and individual businesses. Follows the PESTEL framework, considering political, economic, socio=cultural, technological, environmental, and legal forces.
MAN 4583 Project Management Foundations of project management in assorted business organizations (large/small; manufacturing/service; for profit/not for profit): Covers all project phases from initiation to termination.

 

 

Restricted Elective Courses

Students are also required to choose one elective from among the following list:
ENT 3613 Creativity and Entrepreneurship 3 hrs
GEB 4104 Small Business Development 3 hrs
MAN 4143 Leadership Development 3 hrs
MAN 4441 Conflict Resolution & Negotiation 3 hrs
GEB 4941 Internship One term of major related work experience in a pre-approved sponsoring organization, structured for learning with reflection, supervision and evaluation. Requires department consent.

After approval is received for admission to the major, students will begin completing the Secondary Business Core and the remaining three (3) courses in the Career Professionalism Series. This coursework is to be taken concurrently with the 27 credit hours of major coursework.

 

 

Secondary Business Core

The Secondary Business Core courses are designed to ensure that students have a solid understanding of the various functions of business and the environment in which the enterprise operates. The Secondary Business Core classes are:
QMB 3602 Business Research for Decision Making Introductory course in business research focused on the planning, collection, organization, and assimilation of quantitative information to make and present data-driven business decisions.
BUL 3130 The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business Analysis of the law as a dynamic social and political institution in the business environment, including contract law, torts, and ethical consideration.
MAR 3203 Supply Chain Management Study of the planning and management of all activities involved in processes, assets, and flows of materials and information to meet customers’ needs.
MAN 4720 Strategic Management/Capstone Students assume a strategic view of organizations and integrate and apply material learned in their business courses to modern organizational problems and opportunities.

 

 

The Career Professionalism Series

The Career Professionalism Series is a four course series designed with the ultimate goal of students securing professional employment prior to graduation. The first course in the series, GEB 3006 Career Development and Financial Planning, is taken prior to admission to the major and serves to help students align their career and major interests. The remaining three courses build upon the career research conducted in the first course, and progress to creating and implementing the student’s career plan. The Career Professionalism Series includes:
GEB 3006 Career Development and Financial Planning (taken prior to admission to the major) Designed to provide a basic understanding of how to navigate educational and on-going career challenges. You will learn about the local economy, job market and valuable information about financial planning.
GEB 3005 Career Search Strategies Provides a basic understanding of the importance of career professionalism in today’s competitive business environment. The course focuses on personal branding/marketing and career search strategies.
GEB 4223 Business Interviewing Techniques Develops each student’s ability to make a persuasive one-on-one or small group presentation, that is designed to invoke action by either the individual or small group.
GEB 4004 Executing Your Career Plan Coaches provide recommendations throughout the career search process, and help implement the career plan developed during the previous three career development courses.

 

 

Integrated Business Faculty