Careers as a Customer Service Manager

I'm curious about what a customer service manager does day-to-day. Is this a role that requires a lot of people skills? I'm considering different paths after high school and want to know if this career might be a good fit.

Certainly, it's excellent that you're contemplating potential career paths already. A Customer Service Manager is an essential role in almost every industry, and their day-to-day responsibilities can be quite varied. In general, they oversee a team of customer service representatives and ensure that customers' needs are met. They're intimately involved with resolving customer issues, implementing or improving customer service procedures, and setting goals for their team.

People skills are absolutely critical in this role. You need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, resolve conflicts, and empathize with customers' needs. It also helps to have a patient and positive attitude, because dealing with frustrated customers can be part of the job.

Furthermore, you'll also need leadership skills, as a large part of your role would involve managing a team of customer service representatives. This could involve hiring, training, and motivating your team, as well as offering them guidance and resolving any issues they encounter.

In terms of academic qualifications, though a specific route isn't always necessary, many customer service managers hold a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or another relevant field. However, experience in customer service, leadership, and managing people can also be equally important.

Consider shadowing a customer service manager or interning in a related role to get a sense of whether you'd enjoy this work. You might also consider classes, clubs, or part-time jobs that can help you develop good people and leadership skills. For example, you might join a public speaking club or work as a sales associate.

As with any career, it's crucial to take into consideration your personal interests, skills, and values when considering if it might be a good fit for you. Keep exploring and asking great questions!