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Management of Innovation, Sustainability, and Technology (MIST), B.A.

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Overview

The undergraduate major in Management of Innovation, Sustainability and Technology (MIST) combines fundamental coursework in leadership, communications, organizations, entrepreneurship, finance, policy, data analytics, technology management, and sustainable innovation. The resulting multi-dimensional skillset integrates core management skills with a broad understanding of how to develop innovative, sustainable and equitable solutions by way of teamwork and technology. It also enables students to understand where and why entrepreneurial opportunities exist, what constraints define them, how to identify marketable solutions, and how to develop an action plan grounded in the Triple Bottom Line principles that prioritize people and planet, in addition to the traditional bottom line of value generation for financial profit only.

UC MERCED MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

The program develops fundamentals skills of management with emphasis on the integrated roles of innovation, sustainability, and technology. Students will learn how modern-day problems – from climate change across global environmental systems, to other challenges associated with designing and managing social, food, and energy systems – require combining complementary understandings that combine into a wholistic perspective for developing potent solutions.

In particular, students will develop a systems thinking mindset for understanding where and why global crises emerge; an entrepreneurial technology management mindset for understanding how to design cutting-edge, scalable and equitable solutions that can generate value for stakeholders and society; and a digital mindset for harnessing the modern data analytics paradigm that is critical to decision-support, effective communication and inspiring action.

This combination of management and entrepreneurship fundamentals paired with applied skills in data analysis, operations, planning, communication and leadership will equip MIST graduates with a valuable array of skills for pursuing a wide range of careers in profit and not-for-profit organizations and public and private enterprises.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNOLOGY DEGREE?

Upon graduation, you might become:

  • Chief Executive
  • Project Manager
  • Architectural or Engineering Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Plant Manager
  • Sustainability Manager/Analyst
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Environmental Health and Safety Manager/Analyst
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Project Management and Business Operations Specialist

Employment Outlook for Program Graduates*

  • 2022 Median Pay in California: $90,916
  • 673 job openings/year
  • 6.2% projected growth in 2022-2032

*combined data from science and technology management programs and sustainability studies programs