Top executive and general and operations manager: degree, years of management experience, sometimes an MBA
Top executives typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience. Most general and operations managers hired from outside need lower level supervisory or management experience; executives of large corporations may have an MBA.
For: People who like leading teams, making decisions and running the day-to-day operations of an organization.
Route 1: Degree → supervisor → general and operations manager Typical
Many top executives advance within their own organizations, moving up from lower level management or supervisory positions. Most general and operations managers hired from outside an organization need lower level supervisory or management experience in a related field.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's degree related to the field
Such as business or engineering.
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Years of work
Supervisory or lower level management job
Those promoted from lower level positions may be able to substitute experience for education.
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
General and operations manager
Some general managers move into higher level managerial or executive positions.
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Bachelor's → work → MBA → executive Large corporations
Top executives of large corporations may have a master's degree in business administration (MBA). Chief executives typically need extensive managerial experience in the organization's area of specialty.
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Start here
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Work
Management experience
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
GMAT or GRE for business school
The GMAT has three sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights) and takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
GMAT and GRE exam pagesGMAC
GMAT exam structureGraduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), mba.com- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Graduate
MBA
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Chief executive or other top executive
Executive training and development programs often benefit managers or executives.
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- GRE instead of GMAT
- ETS calls the GRE General Test one test for graduate, business and law school, accepted at thousands of schools.
ETS
The GRE General TestETS- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Route 3: Start and run your own small business Entrepreneur
The Small Business Administration's free business guide: plan the business, then do the paperwork before you open. The hub lists every step.
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Start here
Market research and a business plan
Market research helps you find customers; competitive analysis helps you make your business unique.
SBA
Plan your business (business guide)U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
The older "10 steps to start your business" page now redirects to SBA's redesigned business guide (sba.gov/counseling/#business-guide).
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Plan
Calculate startup costs and fund the business
SBA
Plan your business (business guide)U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
The older "10 steps to start your business" page now redirects to SBA's redesigned business guide (sba.gov/counseling/#business-guide).
View source -
Launch
Choose a structure, then register with the state
You need to choose a business structure before you register your business with the state.
SBA
Launch your business (business guide)U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
Tax IDs, licenses and permits
The federal EIN is free from the IRS: do not apply on websites that charge a fee.
All SBA stepsSBA
Launch your business (business guide)U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Small business owner
SBA
Launch your business (business guide)U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- License or certification for the field
Depends on the area managed · Employer may require - Some top executive positions may require one relevant to their area of management; for example, some employers may require their chief executive officer to be a certified public accountant (CPA).
BLS
Top Executives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.