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Education Is Vital For Growth Says Sacramento Businessman

Sacramento private and public companies and nonprofits sometimes need to shout above the noise to be heard and to succeed. With new businesses joining the capital city landscape every day, consultants with marketing background and master's degrees become even more valuable. Numerous Sacramento employers need people with M.B.A.'s to fill important roles within their organizations.

Recent listings on Indeed.com include openings for a director of finance, environmental services project manager, chief operating officer, internal auditor, chief financial officer, business process analyst, client service manager and senior strategist.

Steve Weiss, President of The Weiss Group, understands the importance of schooling. He says, "Education is a critical factor to getting ahead in life, and in your career." The Weiss Group offers a strategic, integrated approach to success for small businesses and nonprofits. Weiss, who has been on the boards for KVIE and Capital Public Radio, knows that marketing, capacity building and a focus on business objectives is critical.

Weiss received a B.S. degree in Agricultural and Managerial Economics from University of California, Davis. He credits his studies there with honing his analytical skills and getting him focused on a business degree. Weiss says he was inspired by two of the educators he met along the way, including UC Davis economics professor Lor Shepard who was "a great, larger than life character on campus."

Experts on topics outside of his major were also important to Weiss. He mentions one particular UCD professor emeritus, Larry Berman from the Department of Political Science. "Berman was a great educator, and he inspired you to push yourself." Weiss earned his master's degree in marketing from Golden Gate University, where his favorite classes focused on business and marketing strategies. The M.B.A. program let him apply "applications of business theory to real situations," adding that it was valuable to "apply theoretical knowledge." He could "test it and see it persevere, successfully or not."

Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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