There are many types of management jobs within the transportation industry. All transportation enterprises must be managed. Transportation Managers oversee the operations, recruit and supervise the workforce that actually drives the trucks, ships and buses, or flies the planes, and attend to all the details that are required to keep an operation moving along smoothly.

The abundant supply of qualified college graduates and experienced workers should create intense competition for jobs. Overall employment of managers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010. In addition to openings due to growth, many job openings will arise from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. In most larger companies, there will be a range of employment opportunities in management, beginning with entry-level positions for people just out of school, all the way up to the senior-most positions in the company.

Managers must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively. Other qualities critical for managerial success include leadership, self-confidence, motivation, flexibility, and determination.

Managers must have highly developed personal skills. In addition, they must be able to analyze situations and make informed decisions.

The educational background of managers varies widely. Many general managers and top executives have a bachelor’s degree or higher in liberal arts or business administration. Their major often is related to the departments they direct.

Managers usually have comfortable offices and work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Some management positions require travel. Managers can be under pressure to earn higher profits, provide better service, or attain specific goals.