Job perspectives for business graduates of the UA are "very good," according to a faculty member at the College of Business and Public Administration.

John Waring, coordinator of graduate professional placement for the University of Arizona's Karl Eller Graduate School of Management, said that last year, 90 percent of graduates with a master's degree in business administration found jobs within three months after commencement. Salaries varied from $30,000 to $80,000 annually.

But for entrepreneurs, business is a competitive field. Success depends on having a well thought out plan and a lot of research, said Allen Atkins, assistant director of the Karl Eller Center's Berger Entrepreneurship Program.

"It's hard work. Unless people like (your product) you're not going to succeed," Atkins said.

[big deal], a snowboard and skateboard shop which sells products over the Internet, is an example of what many students attempt to do every year - open their own business.

Michael Snyder, finance graduate, and Joe Dunnigan, marketing graduate, created [big deal] in February 1995. They had an idea, $7,000 on hand, and a lot of perseverance.

"Both Joe and I wanted to start our own business and we saw snowboarding and the Web as two growing industries," Snyder said.

[big deal] merchandise can be ordered and shipped to customers worldwide.

Business over the Internet is a new distribution and marketing method, and according to Snyder, it is a profitable one.

"Barriers to entry are inexpensive compared to other retail channels," he said.

Being ready for some "lean times and long hours" of work may be the best advice for young entrepreneurs, Snyder said. To help business students pursue their dreams as entrepreneurs, the Berger Entrepreneurship Program offers courses in marketing, finance, management and operations for a period of one year.

During that time, students work with a partner in researching the market and developing an idea. The program is open to seniors in the business program and MBA students.

"Thinking about it ahead of time reduces their chances to fail," Atkins said.

Some do fail, and the majority of business ideas never leave the planning stage. According to Atkins, 30 percent of those who go through the program launch their ideas and open businesses. The remaining 70 percent get jobs with other companies.

"Get lots of work experience, and learn how to deal with people," recommends Kathy Cleere, MBA graduate.

Cleere worked with Hughes Aircraft and Oracle Corporation in Denver before she got her MBA and opened her business in Tucson. Six weeks ago, Cleere and two partners opened Great Harvest Bread Co., a whole wheat bread bakery franchise.

Cleere said getting an MBA from the UA taught her how to put a business plan together and run it.

However, trying to succeed in business is not always like chewing on soft dough.

Donald Myron is 50 years old, and has three degrees - a bachelor's in engineering, a master's in English and an MBA that he got from the UA in 1988. Regardless of his education, out of 300 jobs, he only qualified for two, he said. He is now retired and works as a freelance carpenter, "picking jobs here and there," he said.

"The more degrees I had, the harder it was. Not one person asked me to see a graduation paper," Myron said.

Myron said he believes that besides the age factor, he was overqualified for the jobs.

Companies are looking for "specific skills, not degrees," he said.

"My experience is that they want to know what you can do," Myron said.

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