100+ Exciting STEM Careers (and the Highest-Paying Science Jobs)

100+ Exciting STEM Careers (and the Highest-Paying Science Jobs) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Can’t get enough of physics, calculus, or computer science? Then a career in STEM sounds like it'd be the perfect fit for you. In this comprehensive guide, we go over the top 10 STEM careers and give you an even more extensive STEM careers list of more than 100 jobs. We'll then wrap up with a step-by-step guide to getting a STEM career. But first, what exactly is STEM? And what is a STEM career? What Is STEM? Overview STEM is a group of four academic and professional disciplines that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But STEM is more than just four separate, albeit somewhat related, scientific disciplines. As an educational approach, STEM centers around the idea of teaching students in an applied and interdisciplinary manner. What this means is that most college students who study a STEM major will take an array of classes that encompass all or almost all of these four fields. So, for example, if you’re majoring in a natural science subject like biology, you'll likely have to take classes in math and computers or technology (to conduct research or analyze experiments) so you can fully understand the different facets that go into studying biology and using it in your career. Here are some examples of popular STEM fields/majors: Astronomy Biology Chemistry Computer programming Computer science Earth sciences Engineering (all types) Geology Information technology Marine science Mathematics Physics Note that there's no hard-and-fast definition for what counts as a STEM field. Very generally speaking, any major that earns you a BS (Bachelor of Science), BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science), or BE (Bachelor of Engineering) can be said to be a STEM major. Below are examples of majors that sound like STEM fields but that we are not counting as STEM based on the fact they are generally associated with other types of majors and departments (such as business, humanities, social sciences, arts, and so on): Accounting Anthropology Architecture Economics Finance Medicine Political science Psychology It’s not innately wrong to consider some or all of the above majors STEM, but just know that not everyone will agree with you if you think your BA in Psychology is STEM. If you’re curious, you can look at this list of majors, which details how the US government defines STEM (for the record, they don’t consider most of the ones listed directly above STEM!). Sorry, guys, but we're not counting medicine as a STEM field. What Is a STEM Career? Now that we’ve gone over what STEM is and what counts as a STEM field and major, let’s answer another question: what is a STEM career exactly? The simple definition is that STEM jobs are any positions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. More specifically, though, STEM careers are jobs that focus almost entirely on utilizing the skills you’ve gained in your particular field, either through your education or your previous work experience (or both). STEM jobs can be found across an array of sectors, from private businesses, to big corporations, to nonprofits, to government jobs. They can also encompass a wide range of duties, such as the design of computer applications, scientific research, equipment design and testing, etc. Requirements for STEM jobs can vary dramatically, but the truth is that many STEM careers do not even require a bachelor’s degree as long as you have the skills and experience necessary to do the tasks required of you. That said, and as we’ll see in the next sections, a bachelor’s or graduate degree can drastically raise your earning potential. So what’s the point of STEM careers? And why are so many people talking about the importance of STEM jobs these days? For one, STEM careers are booming, with high employment growth rates projected through 2020 and sustained above-average growth, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This, combined with the fact that our society is becoming more and more reliant on technology, is why the US government is making such a candid effort to incentivize students to pursue STEM careers. In addition, STEM jobs are some of the most lucrative jobs available. According to the BLS, the median annual salary in 2018 for people with STEM jobs was $84,880, while the median salary for non-STEM jobs was $37,020. This indicates that people with STEM careers typically make more than twice what those with non-STEM jobs make! Top 10 Highest-Paying Science Jobs and STEM Careers We know that there are tons of great STEM jobs out there, but which ones will earn you the most money? We've looked at several best STEM careers lists from websites such as US News and Forbes, as well as the BLS, to find the top 10 STEM careers, which we introduce to you below in order of highest median salary to lowest. Note that the current average employment growth rate is 7%, so STEM jobs with rates higher than this are growing at a faster-than-average pace. #1: Computer and Information Systems Managers Median Salary (2018): $142,530 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 12% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Computer and information systems managers coordinate an array of computer-related activities and implement computer systems for a business or organization. They also determine personnel needs, direct and supervise the work of other IT professionals, learn about new technologies and think of ways to apply them, and look for potential upgrades to existing technology. There are several types of computer and information systems managers you can be: Chief information officer Chief technology officer IT director IT security manager This job, which is also called a technology manager or IT manager, is usually reserved for those with at least five years of relevant work experience. In other words, this STEM position is not typically open to entry-level workers, and you’ll have to instead build your way up to this position by first taking on other roles related to computers and information systems. Most computer and information systems manager jobs require applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field, such as information systems, information technology, or computer science. A master’s degree or higher in a relevant field could increase your earning potential and make you stand out from other applicants. Computer and information systems managers are great with computers ... and not knocking over soda, apparently. #2: Petroleum Engineers Median Salary (2018): $137,170 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 15% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Petroleum engineers work with specialists to create, design, and develop ways to extract oil and gas from deposits in the ground, both on land and at sea. They can work in offices and at drilling sites; travel is typically a big part of the job since petroleum engineers will often need to meet with clients and other engineers. Petroleum engineers also find cost-saving methods for drilling oil and gas reservoirs, and review the geological formation of a site to determine the best ways to approach it. There are various job titles for petroleum engineers: Completions engineer Drilling engineer Production engineer Reservoir engineer You’ll normally need to have a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, though a major in another engineering field, such as civil, chemical, or mechanical, could be sufficient for a particular job. Some petroleum engineering jobs will prefer candidates with a graduate degree in (petroleum) engineering. #3: Physicists and Astronomers Median Salary (2018): $9,580 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 14% Minimum Degree Required: Doctoral or professional degree Physicists and astronomers study the ways different forms of energy and matter interact with one another and might also research the origins of the universe or the function of time in an effort to develop and build upon scientific theories. These types of scientists often conduct experiments using innovative technologies, from lasers to particle accelerators; they also sometimes teach physics or astronomy at the postsecondary level. Physicists work in offices, observatories, and laboratories. Popular employers include universities and the federal US government. Here are some of the most common types of physicists and astronomers: Astrophysicists Condensed matter and materials physicists Medical physicists Particle and nuclear physicists Cosmologists Optical and radio astronomers In order to become a physicist or astronomer, you’ll need to earn a doctorate, usually a PhD in Astronomy or a PhD in Physics. Unfortunately, the bulk of astronomers' jobs these days entails reminding certain folks that the Earth is, in fact, round. #4: Computer and Information Research Scientists Median Salary (2018): $8,370 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 19% Minimum Degree Required: Master’s degree Computer and information research scientists come up with new approaches to and new uses for computers and information technology. They solve different computing issues for businesses and organizations, and also invent computer languages, software, hardware, and other tools. The primary goal of these types of scientists is to improve computing efficiency for people and businesses. Several specializations are available: Data science Robotics Programming To become a computer and information research scientist, you must typically have a master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. #5: Aerospace Engineers Median Salary (2018): $5,220 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 6% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree As an aerospace engineer, you’ll design airplanes and other aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and so on. You’ll also work on developing new aerospace technology and test prototypes of these products to ensure they function correctly. Aerospace engineers work in industries such as national defense, research and development, manufacturing, and design. There are two main types of aerospace engineers: Aeronautical engineers (people who work with aircraft) Astronautical engineers (people who work with spacecraft) The vast majority of aerospace engineers have a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Some engineers might also need to getspecial security clearance if working for the US government on national defense systems. #6: Computer Hardware Engineers Median Salary (2018): $4,600 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 5% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Being a computer hardware engineer involves researching, developing, and testing computers and related equipment for the military, commercial businesses, organizations, and scientific research. These engineers often install computers and supervise product installation. Computer hardware engineers differ from software developers in that they work with the external components of computers rather than the internal workings. California has one of the highest employment levels of computer hardware engineers and also offers the highest wages. To become a computer hardware engineer, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering. Computer hardware engineers deal with these thingies (is it that obvious I wasn't a STEM major?). #7: Computer Network Architects Median Salary (2018): $109,020 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 6% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree The primary duty of computer network architects is to develop and design data communication networks- such as intranets, wide area networks, and local area networks- in order to meet the needs of clients and businesses. Network architects can work with small networks (e.g., connections between two offices) or much larger networks and capabilities (e.g., cloud infrastructures). They also often work in tandem with other specialists, such as computer system administrators and information systems managers, to ensure they are satisfying the needs of their clients and maintaining efficiency. Most computer network architects hold a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, such as computer science or computer engineering. #8: Nuclear Engineers Median Salary (2018): $107,600 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 4% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Nuclear engineers design and research tools, processes, and systems that make use of radiation and nuclear energy, usually for medical instruments and treatments or to develop nuclear power sources for spacecraft and ships. In addition, these engineers write instructional manuals, gather data, and test the efficacy of new methods for utilizing nuclear energy and material. In order to work full-time as a nuclear engineer, you’ll typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or another engineering field. Be aware that some entry-level jobs in the field might require a master’s degree or higher. Lots of people likely imagine this when they hear the word "nuclear." But, in reality, nuclear engineers do a lot of amazing things for people struggling with certain diseases. #9: Software Developers Median Salary (2018): $105,590 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 24% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Software developers design, develop, and test different computer applications and programs for use on computers, phones, tablets, etc. This job is especially ideal for creative, tech-savvy people, as it provides you with complete control of the entire creative process when it comes to making new software that people will actually use. In addition, it’s currently one of the most popular STEM careers. Software developers are in charge of making improvements to existing software, responding to clients’ needs, and creating upgrades and bug fixes. Developers may or may not write the codes themselves for the software they create (if not, they’ll usually have programmers do it). There are two main types of software developers: Applications software developers (those who design computer applications) Systems software developers (those who design entire operating systems) Most software developer positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. #10: Chemical Engineers Median Salary (2018): $104,910 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 8% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Chemical engineers use math, chemistry, physics, and biology to solve problems that involve the application and production of chemicals. Specific duties include testing production methods, designing equipment and manufacturing processes, and directing facility operations. The majority of chemical engineers work in laboratories and offices; they also visit refineries and industrial plants, among other places, to address issues and manage operations. Other duties include coming up with safety procedures, conducting research, and troubleshooting problems. Chemical engineers have the option to specialize in specific processes or fields. To be a chemical engineer, you’ll need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or another type of engineering. Get ready for our huge STEM careers list! Complete STEM Careers List: 100+ Job Options Below, we give you an extensive STEM careers list with more than 100 STEM jobs to choose from. Feel free to browse this list to get a feel for what kind of career you might want to have or would like to learn more about. All jobs are listed in alphabetical order. Note that educational requirements for the following STEM careers can vary widely, from a high school diploma, to a bachelor’s degree in a related field, to a doctorate. You can learn more about the prerequisites for STEM jobs you’re curious about by referring to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Aerospace engineer Agricultural engineer Aircraft mechanic Animal breeder Animal scientist Architectural and engineering manager Astronomer Atmospheric and space scientist Automotive engineer Avionics technician Bioacoustic researcher Biochemical engineer Biochemist Biofuels processing technician Biofuels production manager Bioinformatics scientist Biological technician Biologist Biomedical engineer Biophysicist Biostatistician Cartographer/photogrammetrist Chemical engineer Chemical plant and system operator Chemical technician Chemist Civil engineer Climate change analyst Clinical data manager Computational research scientist Computer and information research scientist Computer and information systems manager Computer hardware engineer Computer network architect Computer programmer Computer systems analyst Computer user support specialist Conservation scientist Cost estimator Crystallographer Cybersecurity analyst Database administrator Electrical engineer Electromechanical engineering technician Electronics engineer Entomologist Environmental engineering technician Environmental (restoration) planner Environmental scientist Fiber optic technician Food scientist Forensic biochemist Geneticist Geologist Geoscientist Health and safety engineer Herpetologist Hydrologist Industrial engineer Industrial engineering technician Information security analyst Information technology specialist Manufacturing engineer Marine engineer/naval architect Marine geophysicist Market research analyst Materials engineer Materials scientist Mathematical technician Mathematician Mechanical engineer Mechatronics engineer Medical scientist Meteorologist Microbiologist Microsystems engineer Mining and geological engineer Molecular and cellular biologist Nanosystems engineer Natural sciences manager Nuclear engineer Nuclear equipment operation technician Nuclear monitoring technician Operations research analyst Park naturalist Petroleum engineer Photonics engineer Physicist Postsecondary teacher/professor Power plant operator Precision agriculture technician Product safety engineer Quality control analyst Quantitative analyst Remote sensing scientist and technologist Remote sensing technician Robotics engineer Robotics technician Security management specialist Seismologist Software developer Soil and plant scientist Soil and water conservationist Solar energy systems engineer Statistician Submarine sonar technician Survey researcher Telecommunications engineering specialist Toxicologist Transportation engineer Transportation planner Validation engineer Water resource specialist Water treatment plant operator Water/wastewater engineer Wildlife conservationist Wind turbine service technician Zoologist This little guy can tell you how to get a job in STEM- as long as you charge his battery first. How to Get a STEM Career: 8 Essential Steps If you’ve decided you want a STEM career, great! But how can you prepare yourself for one? What classes do you need to take, and what colleges should you apply to? Lastly, how can you look for STEM jobs in your field? Here, we've created a step-by-step guide- starting with high school and going all the way through college- to help you ultimately secure a career in STEM. In High School This might come as a surprise, but STEM careers for people often begin as far back as high schoolwhen you can first explore the various STEM topics and start thinking about what fields you’re most interested in pursuing long-term. Step 1: Take Lots of STEM Classes and Do Well in Them High school STEM classes can feel a bit limited compared with those offered by colleges, but your school will likely still have a decent array of options. Besides the science and math classes all students must take (usually this will be biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, and calculus), you should make an effort tofit in at least two to three STEM electives, particularly in topics you're passionate about or really interested in. Here areexamples of possible STEM classes you could take in high school, depending on what your school offers: Agriculture App development Astronomy Botany Computer math Computer programming Computer repair Earth science Environmental science Geology Marine biology Oceanography Statistics Web design Web programming Zoology If you’re particularly strong in a certain STEM topic, such as physics or calculus, you should also consider taking the AP or honors level of that class (and then taking the AP test for it, too!). Here are all AP classes and exams that focus on STEM topics: AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science A AP Computer Science Principles AP Statistics Remember that it’s not just about exposing yourself to new STEM topics or taking as many STEM classes as possible- you should also work hard to earn good grades in your STEM classes (in all your classes, really) so you can ultimately get into a great college. Don't skip chemistry class in high school if you want to get into STEM! Step 2: Start Thinking About Your Interests As you take STEM classes throughout high school, spend some time thinking hard about which topics you like more than others and what you could see yourself studying in college (and using in a future career). For example, maybe you find calculus a bit boring but get excited about developing new apps and computer programs. In this case, you’ll want to try to steer your focus more toward classes in app development, computer science, and related topics than those with a heavier math emphasis. If you’re still unsure what type of STEM field you want to focus on but know that you enjoy STEM as a whole, that’s perfectly fine- just continue taking a range of STEM classes so you can start to work out what appeals to you the most. Step 3: Ace the SAT/ACT Math and Science Sections Getting into a top college isn’t just about having a good GPA and taking lots of difficult classes but also getting an impressive SAT/ACT score. If you’re hoping to enter STEM, you’ll want to get an especially high score on the SAT Math section or the ACT Math and Science sections (the SAT does not have a Science section as the ACT does). Earning top scores on these sections- regardless of which test you decide to take- will prove to colleges that you’re ready for the challenges of a STEM major and a STEM career. While the Math and Science sections should be most important to you, don’t neglect to study for the other sections on the test (i.e., Reading and Writing on the SAT, and Reading and English on the ACT). Check out our ultimate SAT/ACT study guides for more tips on how you can get a great SAT/ACT score. Step 4: Apply to Colleges With a Program for Your STEM Field By the beginning of your senior year of high school, you should start to have a pretty clear idea of what STEM field you like most and would like to study further. As you begin applying to colleges, make sure to look for schools that specifically offer (or, even better, specialize in) the STEM topic you want to major in or are thinking of majoring in. For instance, it might not actually be the best choice to apply to your local university if it doesn’t offer the STEM major or classes you want. If you’re still unsure what you want to major in or are interested in many STEM topics, it’s best to apply to colleges that offer a big array of STEM majors and classes. These schools will usually be STEM-oriented colleges and engineering schools, such as MIT, Caltech, and Georgia Tech. Refer to US News for a list of the best undergraduate engineering programs to get a feel for what schools are known for what types of engineering/STEM topics. Forbes also offers a detailed list of the 25 best STEM colleges. The universal facial expression of college students majoring in STEM. In College You’ve now completed high school and are moving on to college. Congratulations! In this section, we'll go over the four steps you should take as an undergraduate to ensure you’re on track to getting the STEM career you want. Step 5: Consider What Kind of STEM Career You Want College offers lots of freedom in terms of the classes you can choose, so use this time to really think more about what kinds of STEM jobs you might be interested in. For example, maybe you enjoyed math in high school but weren't sure if math as a whole was the field you wanted to get into. In college, your class options will be a lot more plentiful: you will likely be able to take courses in math topics that weren’t available to you in high school, such as abstract algebra, discrete mathematics, or differential equations. Taking these classes in college can help you determine whether math is truly the right STEM field for you. In short, the more STEM classes you take (and enjoy taking!), the more clearly you’ll be able to begin visualizing the kind of STEM career you want to have. Step 6: Declare a Major If you haven’t done so already, start thinking about what your STEM major will be and make an official declaration when you’re sure it’s what you want to study and what you want to have a career in. If you’re still undecided after a year or two of college, consider making an appointment with your academic advisor or college career center to help you figure out what majors and STEM careers might be a good fit for you based on the classes you’ve taken and liked. Don't forget that you can always change your major if you end up deciding that the one you initially chose is not actually the best fit for you and your career goals (though this might mean you’ll be in college longer than four years). Alternatively, you can double major if there's more than one (STEM) topic that interests you and if you want to give yourself even more potential career paths. Don't worry if you're not sure what to major in- you can always double major in two STEM fields, or one STEM field and one non-STEM field! Step 7: Accumulate Professional Experience Try to take advantage of your summers off by doing a STEM-oriented internship, working a part-time STEM job, or conducting research. Although work experience isn’t an absolute necessity for getting a great STEM job after graduation, it can certainly help in terms of raising your salary potential and making you stand apart from other applicants. Internships and jobs can also help you figure out what STEM topic to major in if you have yet to declare one (see Step 6). Remember that working STEM jobs, even if they only last one summer, can lead to some amazing opportunities for networking, which you can take advantage of later on when applying for jobs. Step 8: Look for STEM Jobs As you enter your final year of college, it’s time to start actively applying to STEM jobs (or STEM grad programs, depending on whether you need an advanced degree for your field). There are many resources you can use to look for STEM jobs: Current or previous employer(s): If you have completed or are presently in a STEM-related internship or job, you can use this professional connection to see whether there are any full-time jobs available there or at a similar company. STEM professors, peers, and alumni: People in your own circles can be great resources for landing STEM jobs. Ask professors and classmates whether they have any job leads. You can also meet with alumni to see what kinds of career paths they ended up having after college. College career center: Don’t pass up this resource! Your school’s career center can give you tons of advice for making your resume stand out and finding STEM jobs that fit your goals. LinkedIn: If you haven’t already, create a LinkedIn account. This website is excellent for searching for STEM jobs, connecting with people in your field and at your college, and just generally making yourself known. Hacker News: This website is geared toward computer science and entrepreneurship and offers an updated job board for those looking specifically for STEM careers. MAA Classifieds: Established by the Mathematical Association of America, this job-search website allows you to search for an array of math and STEM jobs by title or location. Science Careers: This careers board for those looking to get jobs in the fields of science and technology is a joint effort of the journal Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AWIS Career Center: This job-search site geared toward women in STEM and made by the Association for Women in Science lets you search for STEM careers by keyword, location, or industry. The trick to getting a STEM job is to apply to as many as possible and be prepared for some setbacks- indeed, it's not at all rare to have to send out dozens of applications before you even land an interview, so don’t feel discouraged! The biggest piece of advice I can give recent college graduates and those about to graduate is to just keep moving forward- you'll get a job offer eventually! Recap: What Is a STEM Career and How Can You Get One? STEM is an acronym for the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; thus, STEM careers are any jobs that are based in one or more of these four fields. At present, STEM jobs are experiencing a large boom, with high employment growth projected for the next decade and loads of high-paying jobs. Based on our analysis of many STEM jobs lists and BLS data, we’ve determined that the 10 highest-paying science jobs and STEM careers are currently as follows (in order of highest median salary to lowest): Computer and information systems managers Petroleum engineers Physicists and astronomers Computer and information research scientists Aerospace engineers Computer hardware engineers Computer network architects Nuclear engineers Software developers Chemical engineers There are many more STEM jobs available than just these 10. Above, we’ve given you an extensive STEM careers list containing 100+ jobs for you to consider. There are many steps involved when it comes to getting a STEM career. To review, these steps are as follows: In High School Step 1: Take lots of STEM classes and do well in them Step 2: Start thinking about your interests Step 3: Ace the SAT/ACT Math and Science sections Step 4: Apply to colleges that teach your STEM topic In College Step 5: Consider what kind of STEM career you want Step 6: Declare a major Step 7: Accumulate professional experience Step 8: Look for STEM jobs Now that you've learned all there is to know about establishing a STEM career, get out there and start making your dreams a reality! What’s Next? What is a STEM degree and how can you know if it's the right major for you? Our guide offers expert tips for helping you decide whether STEM is the best choice for your studies. To get into a great college as a STEM major, you need to have amazing SAT/ACT scores in the Math and Science sections.Our in-depth guides to getting a perfect score in SAT Math, ACT Math, and ACT Science will teach you our very best secrets for acing these tricky sections. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Hannah Muniz About the Author Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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100+ Exciting STEM Careers (and the Highest-Paying Science Jobs)

100+ Exciting STEM Careers (and the Highest-Paying Science Jobs) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Can’t get enough of physics, calculus, or computer science? Then a career in STEM sounds like it'd be the perfect fit for you. In this comprehensive guide, we go over the top 10 STEM careers and give you an even more extensive STEM careers list of more than 100 jobs. We'll then wrap up with a step-by-step guide to getting a STEM career. But first, what exactly is STEM? And what is a STEM career? What Is STEM? Overview STEM is a group of four academic and professional disciplines that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But STEM is more than just four separate, albeit somewhat related, scientific disciplines. As an educational approach, STEM centers around the idea of teaching students in an applied and interdisciplinary manner. What this means is that most college students who study a STEM major will take an array of classes that encompass all or almost all of these four fields. So, for example, if you’re majoring in a natural science subject like biology, you'll likely have to take classes in math and computers or technology (to conduct research or analyze experiments) so you can fully understand the different facets that go into studying biology and using it in your career. Here are some examples of popular STEM fields/majors: Astronomy Biology Chemistry Computer programming Computer science Earth sciences Engineering (all types) Geology Information technology Marine science Mathematics Physics Note that there's no hard-and-fast definition for what counts as a STEM field. Very generally speaking, any major that earns you a BS (Bachelor of Science), BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science), or BE (Bachelor of Engineering) can be said to be a STEM major. Below are examples of majors that sound like STEM fields but that we are not counting as STEM based on the fact they are generally associated with other types of majors and departments (such as business, humanities, social sciences, arts, and so on): Accounting Anthropology Architecture Economics Finance Medicine Political science Psychology It’s not innately wrong to consider some or all of the above majors STEM, but just know that not everyone will agree with you if you think your BA in Psychology is STEM. If you’re curious, you can look at this list of majors, which details how the US government defines STEM (for the record, they don’t consider most of the ones listed directly above STEM!). Sorry, guys, but we're not counting medicine as a STEM field. What Is a STEM Career? Now that we’ve gone over what STEM is and what counts as a STEM field and major, let’s answer another question: what is a STEM career exactly? The simple definition is that STEM jobs are any positions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. More specifically, though, STEM careers are jobs that focus almost entirely on utilizing the skills you’ve gained in your particular field, either through your education or your previous work experience (or both). STEM jobs can be found across an array of sectors, from private businesses, to big corporations, to nonprofits, to government jobs. They can also encompass a wide range of duties, such as the design of computer applications, scientific research, equipment design and testing, etc. Requirements for STEM jobs can vary dramatically, but the truth is that many STEM careers do not even require a bachelor’s degree as long as you have the skills and experience necessary to do the tasks required of you. That said, and as we’ll see in the next sections, a bachelor’s or graduate degree can drastically raise your earning potential. So what’s the point of STEM careers? And why are so many people talking about the importance of STEM jobs these days? For one, STEM careers are booming, with high employment growth rates projected through 2020 and sustained above-average growth, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This, combined with the fact that our society is becoming more and more reliant on technology, is why the US government is making such a candid effort to incentivize students to pursue STEM careers. In addition, STEM jobs are some of the most lucrative jobs available. According to the BLS, the median annual salary in 2018 for people with STEM jobs was $84,880, while the median salary for non-STEM jobs was $37,020. This indicates that people with STEM careers typically make more than twice what those with non-STEM jobs make! Top 10 Highest-Paying Science Jobs and STEM Careers We know that there are tons of great STEM jobs out there, but which ones will earn you the most money? We've looked at several best STEM careers lists from websites such as US News and Forbes, as well as the BLS, to find the top 10 STEM careers, which we introduce to you below in order of highest median salary to lowest. Note that the current average employment growth rate is 7%, so STEM jobs with rates higher than this are growing at a faster-than-average pace. #1: Computer and Information Systems Managers Median Salary (2018): $142,530 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 12% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Computer and information systems managers coordinate an array of computer-related activities and implement computer systems for a business or organization. They also determine personnel needs, direct and supervise the work of other IT professionals, learn about new technologies and think of ways to apply them, and look for potential upgrades to existing technology. There are several types of computer and information systems managers you can be: Chief information officer Chief technology officer IT director IT security manager This job, which is also called a technology manager or IT manager, is usually reserved for those with at least five years of relevant work experience. In other words, this STEM position is not typically open to entry-level workers, and you’ll have to instead build your way up to this position by first taking on other roles related to computers and information systems. Most computer and information systems manager jobs require applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field, such as information systems, information technology, or computer science. A master’s degree or higher in a relevant field could increase your earning potential and make you stand out from other applicants. Computer and information systems managers are great with computers ... and not knocking over soda, apparently. #2: Petroleum Engineers Median Salary (2018): $137,170 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 15% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Petroleum engineers work with specialists to create, design, and develop ways to extract oil and gas from deposits in the ground, both on land and at sea. They can work in offices and at drilling sites; travel is typically a big part of the job since petroleum engineers will often need to meet with clients and other engineers. Petroleum engineers also find cost-saving methods for drilling oil and gas reservoirs, and review the geological formation of a site to determine the best ways to approach it. There are various job titles for petroleum engineers: Completions engineer Drilling engineer Production engineer Reservoir engineer You’ll normally need to have a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, though a major in another engineering field, such as civil, chemical, or mechanical, could be sufficient for a particular job. Some petroleum engineering jobs will prefer candidates with a graduate degree in (petroleum) engineering. #3: Physicists and Astronomers Median Salary (2018): $9,580 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 14% Minimum Degree Required: Doctoral or professional degree Physicists and astronomers study the ways different forms of energy and matter interact with one another and might also research the origins of the universe or the function of time in an effort to develop and build upon scientific theories. These types of scientists often conduct experiments using innovative technologies, from lasers to particle accelerators; they also sometimes teach physics or astronomy at the postsecondary level. Physicists work in offices, observatories, and laboratories. Popular employers include universities and the federal US government. Here are some of the most common types of physicists and astronomers: Astrophysicists Condensed matter and materials physicists Medical physicists Particle and nuclear physicists Cosmologists Optical and radio astronomers In order to become a physicist or astronomer, you’ll need to earn a doctorate, usually a PhD in Astronomy or a PhD in Physics. Unfortunately, the bulk of astronomers' jobs these days entails reminding certain folks that the Earth is, in fact, round. #4: Computer and Information Research Scientists Median Salary (2018): $8,370 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 19% Minimum Degree Required: Master’s degree Computer and information research scientists come up with new approaches to and new uses for computers and information technology. They solve different computing issues for businesses and organizations, and also invent computer languages, software, hardware, and other tools. The primary goal of these types of scientists is to improve computing efficiency for people and businesses. Several specializations are available: Data science Robotics Programming To become a computer and information research scientist, you must typically have a master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. #5: Aerospace Engineers Median Salary (2018): $5,220 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 6% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree As an aerospace engineer, you’ll design airplanes and other aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and so on. You’ll also work on developing new aerospace technology and test prototypes of these products to ensure they function correctly. Aerospace engineers work in industries such as national defense, research and development, manufacturing, and design. There are two main types of aerospace engineers: Aeronautical engineers (people who work with aircraft) Astronautical engineers (people who work with spacecraft) The vast majority of aerospace engineers have a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Some engineers might also need to getspecial security clearance if working for the US government on national defense systems. #6: Computer Hardware Engineers Median Salary (2018): $4,600 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 5% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Being a computer hardware engineer involves researching, developing, and testing computers and related equipment for the military, commercial businesses, organizations, and scientific research. These engineers often install computers and supervise product installation. Computer hardware engineers differ from software developers in that they work with the external components of computers rather than the internal workings. California has one of the highest employment levels of computer hardware engineers and also offers the highest wages. To become a computer hardware engineer, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering. Computer hardware engineers deal with these thingies (is it that obvious I wasn't a STEM major?). #7: Computer Network Architects Median Salary (2018): $109,020 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 6% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree The primary duty of computer network architects is to develop and design data communication networks- such as intranets, wide area networks, and local area networks- in order to meet the needs of clients and businesses. Network architects can work with small networks (e.g., connections between two offices) or much larger networks and capabilities (e.g., cloud infrastructures). They also often work in tandem with other specialists, such as computer system administrators and information systems managers, to ensure they are satisfying the needs of their clients and maintaining efficiency. Most computer network architects hold a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, such as computer science or computer engineering. #8: Nuclear Engineers Median Salary (2018): $107,600 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 4% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Nuclear engineers design and research tools, processes, and systems that make use of radiation and nuclear energy, usually for medical instruments and treatments or to develop nuclear power sources for spacecraft and ships. In addition, these engineers write instructional manuals, gather data, and test the efficacy of new methods for utilizing nuclear energy and material. In order to work full-time as a nuclear engineer, you’ll typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or another engineering field. Be aware that some entry-level jobs in the field might require a master’s degree or higher. Lots of people likely imagine this when they hear the word "nuclear." But, in reality, nuclear engineers do a lot of amazing things for people struggling with certain diseases. #9: Software Developers Median Salary (2018): $105,590 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 24% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Software developers design, develop, and test different computer applications and programs for use on computers, phones, tablets, etc. This job is especially ideal for creative, tech-savvy people, as it provides you with complete control of the entire creative process when it comes to making new software that people will actually use. In addition, it’s currently one of the most popular STEM careers. Software developers are in charge of making improvements to existing software, responding to clients’ needs, and creating upgrades and bug fixes. Developers may or may not write the codes themselves for the software they create (if not, they’ll usually have programmers do it). There are two main types of software developers: Applications software developers (those who design computer applications) Systems software developers (those who design entire operating systems) Most software developer positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. #10: Chemical Engineers Median Salary (2018): $104,910 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 8% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Chemical engineers use math, chemistry, physics, and biology to solve problems that involve the application and production of chemicals. Specific duties include testing production methods, designing equipment and manufacturing processes, and directing facility operations. The majority of chemical engineers work in laboratories and offices; they also visit refineries and industrial plants, among other places, to address issues and manage operations. Other duties include coming up with safety procedures, conducting research, and troubleshooting problems. Chemical engineers have the option to specialize in specific processes or fields. To be a chemical engineer, you’ll need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or another type of engineering. Get ready for our huge STEM careers list! Complete STEM Careers List: 100+ Job Options Below, we give you an extensive STEM careers list with more than 100 STEM jobs to choose from. Feel free to browse this list to get a feel for what kind of career you might want to have or would like to learn more about. All jobs are listed in alphabetical order. Note that educational requirements for the following STEM careers can vary widely, from a high school diploma, to a bachelor’s degree in a related field, to a doctorate. You can learn more about the prerequisites for STEM jobs you’re curious about by referring to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Aerospace engineer Agricultural engineer Aircraft mechanic Animal breeder Animal scientist Architectural and engineering manager Astronomer Atmospheric and space scientist Automotive engineer Avionics technician Bioacoustic researcher Biochemical engineer Biochemist Biofuels processing technician Biofuels production manager Bioinformatics scientist Biological technician Biologist Biomedical engineer Biophysicist Biostatistician Cartographer/photogrammetrist Chemical engineer Chemical plant and system operator Chemical technician Chemist Civil engineer Climate change analyst Clinical data manager Computational research scientist Computer and information research scientist Computer and information systems manager Computer hardware engineer Computer network architect Computer programmer Computer systems analyst Computer user support specialist Conservation scientist Cost estimator Crystallographer Cybersecurity analyst Database administrator Electrical engineer Electromechanical engineering technician Electronics engineer Entomologist Environmental engineering technician Environmental (restoration) planner Environmental scientist Fiber optic technician Food scientist Forensic biochemist Geneticist Geologist Geoscientist Health and safety engineer Herpetologist Hydrologist Industrial engineer Industrial engineering technician Information security analyst Information technology specialist Manufacturing engineer Marine engineer/naval architect Marine geophysicist Market research analyst Materials engineer Materials scientist Mathematical technician Mathematician Mechanical engineer Mechatronics engineer Medical scientist Meteorologist Microbiologist Microsystems engineer Mining and geological engineer Molecular and cellular biologist Nanosystems engineer Natural sciences manager Nuclear engineer Nuclear equipment operation technician Nuclear monitoring technician Operations research analyst Park naturalist Petroleum engineer Photonics engineer Physicist Postsecondary teacher/professor Power plant operator Precision agriculture technician Product safety engineer Quality control analyst Quantitative analyst Remote sensing scientist and technologist Remote sensing technician Robotics engineer Robotics technician Security management specialist Seismologist Software developer Soil and plant scientist Soil and water conservationist Solar energy systems engineer Statistician Submarine sonar technician Survey researcher Telecommunications engineering specialist Toxicologist Transportation engineer Transportation planner Validation engineer Water resource specialist Water treatment plant operator Water/wastewater engineer Wildlife conservationist Wind turbine service technician Zoologist This little guy can tell you how to get a job in STEM- as long as you charge his battery first. How to Get a STEM Career: 8 Essential Steps If you’ve decided you want a STEM career, great! But how can you prepare yourself for one? What classes do you need to take, and what colleges should you apply to? Lastly, how can you look for STEM jobs in your field? Here, we've created a step-by-step guide- starting with high school and going all the way through college- to help you ultimately secure a career in STEM. In High School This might come as a surprise, but STEM careers for people often begin as far back as high schoolwhen you can first explore the various STEM topics and start thinking about what fields you’re most interested in pursuing long-term. Step 1: Take Lots of STEM Classes and Do Well in Them High school STEM classes can feel a bit limited compared with those offered by colleges, but your school will likely still have a decent array of options. Besides the science and math classes all students must take (usually this will be biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, and calculus), you should make an effort tofit in at least two to three STEM electives, particularly in topics you're passionate about or really interested in. Here areexamples of possible STEM classes you could take in high school, depending on what your school offers: Agriculture App development Astronomy Botany Computer math Computer programming Computer repair Earth science Environmental science Geology Marine biology Oceanography Statistics Web design Web programming Zoology If you’re particularly strong in a certain STEM topic, such as physics or calculus, you should also consider taking the AP or honors level of that class (and then taking the AP test for it, too!). Here are all AP classes and exams that focus on STEM topics: AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science A AP Computer Science Principles AP Statistics Remember that it’s not just about exposing yourself to new STEM topics or taking as many STEM classes as possible- you should also work hard to earn good grades in your STEM classes (in all your classes, really) so you can ultimately get into a great college. Don't skip chemistry class in high school if you want to get into STEM! Step 2: Start Thinking About Your Interests As you take STEM classes throughout high school, spend some time thinking hard about which topics you like more than others and what you could see yourself studying in college (and using in a future career). For example, maybe you find calculus a bit boring but get excited about developing new apps and computer programs. In this case, you’ll want to try to steer your focus more toward classes in app development, computer science, and related topics than those with a heavier math emphasis. If you’re still unsure what type of STEM field you want to focus on but know that you enjoy STEM as a whole, that’s perfectly fine- just continue taking a range of STEM classes so you can start to work out what appeals to you the most. Step 3: Ace the SAT/ACT Math and Science Sections Getting into a top college isn’t just about having a good GPA and taking lots of difficult classes but also getting an impressive SAT/ACT score. If you’re hoping to enter STEM, you’ll want to get an especially high score on the SAT Math section or the ACT Math and Science sections (the SAT does not have a Science section as the ACT does). Earning top scores on these sections- regardless of which test you decide to take- will prove to colleges that you’re ready for the challenges of a STEM major and a STEM career. While the Math and Science sections should be most important to you, don’t neglect to study for the other sections on the test (i.e., Reading and Writing on the SAT, and Reading and English on the ACT). Check out our ultimate SAT/ACT study guides for more tips on how you can get a great SAT/ACT score. Step 4: Apply to Colleges With a Program for Your STEM Field By the beginning of your senior year of high school, you should start to have a pretty clear idea of what STEM field you like most and would like to study further. As you begin applying to colleges, make sure to look for schools that specifically offer (or, even better, specialize in) the STEM topic you want to major in or are thinking of majoring in. For instance, it might not actually be the best choice to apply to your local university if it doesn’t offer the STEM major or classes you want. If you’re still unsure what you want to major in or are interested in many STEM topics, it’s best to apply to colleges that offer a big array of STEM majors and classes. These schools will usually be STEM-oriented colleges and engineering schools, such as MIT, Caltech, and Georgia Tech. Refer to US News for a list of the best undergraduate engineering programs to get a feel for what schools are known for what types of engineering/STEM topics. Forbes also offers a detailed list of the 25 best STEM colleges. The universal facial expression of college students majoring in STEM. In College You’ve now completed high school and are moving on to college. Congratulations! In this section, we'll go over the four steps you should take as an undergraduate to ensure you’re on track to getting the STEM career you want. Step 5: Consider What Kind of STEM Career You Want College offers lots of freedom in terms of the classes you can choose, so use this time to really think more about what kinds of STEM jobs you might be interested in. For example, maybe you enjoyed math in high school but weren't sure if math as a whole was the field you wanted to get into. In college, your class options will be a lot more plentiful: you will likely be able to take courses in math topics that weren’t available to you in high school, such as abstract algebra, discrete mathematics, or differential equations. Taking these classes in college can help you determine whether math is truly the right STEM field for you. In short, the more STEM classes you take (and enjoy taking!), the more clearly you’ll be able to begin visualizing the kind of STEM career you want to have. Step 6: Declare a Major If you haven’t done so already, start thinking about what your STEM major will be and make an official declaration when you’re sure it’s what you want to study and what you want to have a career in. If you’re still undecided after a year or two of college, consider making an appointment with your academic advisor or college career center to help you figure out what majors and STEM careers might be a good fit for you based on the classes you’ve taken and liked. Don't forget that you can always change your major if you end up deciding that the one you initially chose is not actually the best fit for you and your career goals (though this might mean you’ll be in college longer than four years). Alternatively, you can double major if there's more than one (STEM) topic that interests you and if you want to give yourself even more potential career paths. Don't worry if you're not sure what to major in- you can always double major in two STEM fields, or one STEM field and one non-STEM field! Step 7: Accumulate Professional Experience Try to take advantage of your summers off by doing a STEM-oriented internship, working a part-time STEM job, or conducting research. Although work experience isn’t an absolute necessity for getting a great STEM job after graduation, it can certainly help in terms of raising your salary potential and making you stand apart from other applicants. Internships and jobs can also help you figure out what STEM topic to major in if you have yet to declare one (see Step 6). Remember that working STEM jobs, even if they only last one summer, can lead to some amazing opportunities for networking, which you can take advantage of later on when applying for jobs. Step 8: Look for STEM Jobs As you enter your final year of college, it’s time to start actively applying to STEM jobs (or STEM grad programs, depending on whether you need an advanced degree for your field). There are many resources you can use to look for STEM jobs: Current or previous employer(s): If you have completed or are presently in a STEM-related internship or job, you can use this professional connection to see whether there are any full-time jobs available there or at a similar company. STEM professors, peers, and alumni: People in your own circles can be great resources for landing STEM jobs. Ask professors and classmates whether they have any job leads. You can also meet with alumni to see what kinds of career paths they ended up having after college. College career center: Don’t pass up this resource! Your school’s career center can give you tons of advice for making your resume stand out and finding STEM jobs that fit your goals. LinkedIn: If you haven’t already, create a LinkedIn account. This website is excellent for searching for STEM jobs, connecting with people in your field and at your college, and just generally making yourself known. Hacker News: This website is geared toward computer science and entrepreneurship and offers an updated job board for those looking specifically for STEM careers. MAA Classifieds: Established by the Mathematical Association of America, this job-search website allows you to search for an array of math and STEM jobs by title or location. Science Careers: This careers board for those looking to get jobs in the fields of science and technology is a joint effort of the journal Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AWIS Career Center: This job-search site geared toward women in STEM and made by the Association for Women in Science lets you search for STEM careers by keyword, location, or industry. The trick to getting a STEM job is to apply to as many as possible and be prepared for some setbacks- indeed, it's not at all rare to have to send out dozens of applications before you even land an interview, so don’t feel discouraged! The biggest piece of advice I can give recent college graduates and those about to graduate is to just keep moving forward- you'll get a job offer eventually! Recap: What Is a STEM Career and How Can You Get One? STEM is an acronym for the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; thus, STEM careers are any jobs that are based in one or more of these four fields. At present, STEM jobs are experiencing a large boom, with high employment growth projected for the next decade and loads of high-paying jobs. Based on our analysis of many STEM jobs lists and BLS data, we’ve determined that the 10 highest-paying science jobs and STEM careers are currently as follows (in order of highest median salary to lowest): Computer and information systems managers Petroleum engineers Physicists and astronomers Computer and information research scientists Aerospace engineers Computer hardware engineers Computer network architects Nuclear engineers Software developers Chemical engineers There are many more STEM jobs available than just these 10. Above, we’ve given you an extensive STEM careers list containing 100+ jobs for you to consider. There are many steps involved when it comes to getting a STEM career. To review, these steps are as follows: In High School Step 1: Take lots of STEM classes and do well in them Step 2: Start thinking about your interests Step 3: Ace the SAT/ACT Math and Science sections Step 4: Apply to colleges that teach your STEM topic In College Step 5: Consider what kind of STEM career you want Step 6: Declare a major Step 7: Accumulate professional experience Step 8: Look for STEM jobs Now that you've learned all there is to know about establishing a STEM career, get out there and start making your dreams a reality! What’s Next? What is a STEM degree and how can you know if it's the right major for you? Our guide offers expert tips for helping you decide whether STEM is the best choice for your studies. To get into a great college as a STEM major, you need to have amazing SAT/ACT scores in the Math and Science sections.Our in-depth guides to getting a perfect score in SAT Math, ACT Math, and ACT Science will teach you our very best secrets for acing these tricky sections. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Hannah Muniz About the Author Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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How to Write A Bestselling Novel From a Characters Viewpoint

How to Write A Bestselling Novel From a Characters Viewpoint Show Don’t Tell: Write from Your Character's Viewpoint Last updated: 07/10/2017This is a guest post by Kristen Stieffel, a writing coach specializing in speculative fiction. She has edited nonfiction, Bible studies, and novels for the general market and the Christian submarket and teaches at writers conferences.Last time, we looked at narrators in fiction and likened viewpoint to a camera. The narrator is like a cameraman, recording events. His voice is distinct from those of the characters. The narrator acts as an intermediary between reader and character. If we give the viewpoint â€Å"camera† to the characters, we eliminate the middleman, producing a deeper bond with readers.Follow Reedsy and Kristen Stieffel on Twitter: @ReedsyHQ and @KristenStieffelWhat viewpoint do you use for your fiction? Have you tried writing from your characters' point of view? Leave us your thoughts, or any questions for Kristen, in the comments below!

Living Together or Getting Married Research Paper

Living Together or Getting Married - Research Paper Example People have been cohabiting for different reasons. Many young adults are adopting this phenomenon because the rate of divorce has increased considerably and this has been cited as the major factor encouraging staying together rather than marrying (Barlow et al 2001). It's quite obvious that young people in the current generation see this as a way of achieving the benefits of marriage while at the same time evading the risk of divorce. Finances are the main cause of fights in married couples as cited by many researchers. When couples live together as in cohabiting, they get a chance to learn more about the spending habits of their partners as they share expenses and meet other obligations together. In this way, they can assess if their partner is really the type of a person who can handle marriage issues plus when people cohabit and things do not work out their way, they are not legally obliged to each other and do not have to seek religious authorization to break up their relationshi p (Hamilton 2005). Young people see this as a simple way for testing out whether a relationship would work or not. Just like the way it happens in colleges when you stay with your roommates and get to know their true character, living together allows the couple to get well acquainted with each others habits and behaviors and observe the way they operate in their daily life (Barlow et al 2001). Living together gives people who love each other more opportunities to experience and share their intimacy in terms of sex and emotional relationship without necessarily being married. Cohabiting is basically a trial to marriage and it's less complicated when dissolving it after failing as the couple does not incur unnecessary loss of finances like welfare, alimony or pension making the break less messy on the other hand if it works, the two can get married (Leadership U1999). Cohabiting before Marriage is Beneficial Most of the people in intimate relationships are using this method as the best measure to find out the character of their partners. Definitely in people from the past generations were to be asked, they would disregard of this as "shacking up" (Hamilton 2005). When dating, the other partner can display very decent character traits because the courtship may be defined by short visits now and then and this cannot bring out the true self of a person as incase they become angry every person goes his/her way to cool off and may apologizes later then fall back together. This is no big deal compared to living together, people tend to uncover their true being when staying together and you can be able to understand how they handle conflicts and most likely this may not be pretty. If one cannot handle this, what can happen when married Cohabiting exposes such habits and one may be able to find a way to make it work or walk away (Barlow et al 2001). Apart from anger management, another issue is cleanliness and individual hygiene; some people can appear to be very clean and smart but their houses looks like garbage dump. There are other things that one finds out from living together though some may be considered petty for instance snoring very loudly at night or talking in their sleep even sleep walking. Some people usually don't change their habits and this will start revealing

HR plans and the organizational context Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

HR plans and the organizational context - Essay Example HR management can play a role in identifying and analyzing external opportunities and threats that may be crucial to the company's success. It is in a unique position to supply competitive intelligence that may be useful in the strategic planning process. The HR function needs to be treated as a line function. HRM first reared its head in the 1980's with increased globalization of markets and intensified competition (Sisson, 1989, 1990; Blyton and Turnbull, 19941). The globalization of markets was facilitated by an IT- induced communication system and the diversification of the labor market. The international division of labor coupled with the rise and growth of multinational companies saw the emergence of Human Resource Management as a new and key factor in organizational success (Nolan and O'Donnel, 1991)2. HRM is an offshoot of Personnel Management and deals with the practice of identifying and placing the 'right people' people into the 'right' into jobs. Thus the basic gist of HRM lies in tying individual employee empowerment with organization development (Glueck, 1974). 3 The main dimensions of HRM involve the goal of integration (i.e. ... the use of planning a coherent approach in the design and management of personnel systems as an employment policy and manpower strategy, and often underpinned by a philosophy matching welfare and management activities and policies to an explicit business strategy, and seeing the people of the organization as a strategic resource for achieving competitive advantage. Guest in 1987 5outlined the main components of HRM: The main dimensions of HRM involve the goal of integration (i.e. human resources can be integrated into strategic plans, if human resource policies cohere, if line managers have internalized the importance of human resources, and this is reflected in their behaviour and if employees identify with the company, and then the company's strategic plans are likely to be more successfully implemented), the goal of employee commitment, the goal of flexibility/ adaptability (i.e. organic structures, functional flexibility), the goal of quality (i.e. quality of staff, performance, standards and public image. In a nutshell, HRM encompasses all the essential nitty- gritty details which build the foundation of an organization. But HRM should not be considered in a 'stand alone context.' According to Rao, 2001, HRM today ought to be taken in conjunction with external market, labor and media forces. HRM is heavily influenced by socio- economic and political policies shaping the industrial workplace. In addition, HRM also has to consider internal organizational corporate climate. Thus, HR executives don many hats dealing effectively with many influences to get the best performance from employees. Thus, HRM is not only about profits and productivity. It is about understanding employees. HRM in today's global society is concerned with employee empowerment to

Persuasive Memo Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Persuasive Memo - Assignment Example , it is the opinion of our legal department that we are not going to be in violation of any laws should be decide to with-hold healthcare coverage of part-time employees. Although our responsible research teams have assured us that we are not facing any legal backlash by withholding ACA coverage to our variable-hour employees (part-timers), it would still be best for us as a corporation to offer our variable hour employees access to a medical plan coverage which they may choose to accept or waive depending upon their personal ability to pay for the coverage. We are under no legal obligation to shoulder their health care coverage. However, other companies such as Trader Joes have offered similar plans to their employees with successful results as more part-time employees opt to shop for insurance coverage on their own based upon their own ability to pay. (University of Missouri System, â€Å"The Affordable Care Act†) An in-house survey of our variable-hour workers shows that they often have other jobs aside from the one that they currently hold with us. Their other jobs have also offered them the opportunity to either partake of company insurance coverage or procure their own health insurance coverage. It appears that they have mostly made their own arrangements for their individual insurance coverages. It is understood that our company values the contribution of our variable-hour workers to our companys growth and reliable income performance. Therefore, it would be in our best interests to still find a method by which we can care for our variable-hour employees health without giving them to same insurance coverage as our regular employees. We have come up with a list of possible recommendations for your approval. We can offer one or both of the above recommendations to our variable - time employees as an incentive for them to stay healthy and lessen their sick days. Kindly let me know as soon as you have decided upon a course of action based upon the

Analysis of Sports Bar Businesses in India for Opportunities

Analysis of Sports Bar Businesses in India for Opportunities Sports Bar Business in India from a Cultural and Branding Perspective INTRODUCTION Post liberalization the Indian economy has grown exponentially. The fall out of this is the increase in disposable income of the consumers, emergence of credit card culture and the decreasing size of households. The change in the economic status is the catalyst to the change in the social and cultural trends that have caused the change in the way a consumer views everyday food and beverages. The consumer today has very different preferences. Consumers today are more aware about different things in the world due to extensive travel and foreign media. These are some of the social and economic reasons behind the consumer moving towards fine dining, imported spirits and wine as opposed to conventional beverages. Due to this paradigm shift coffee shops, restaurants, fast food joints and bars have become successful. India is relatively new to the concept of a bar. In India bars are located mostly in the metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc. Sports bars in particular are very new to our country and are growing at a very rapid rate. The advent of IPL and the increase in craze for club football and F1 has only boosted its prospects. LITERATURE REVIEW The Indian economy is booming and the living standards and the lifestyles in the urban areas are fast changing. Entertainment as an industry is growing exponentially over the past decade. From the turn of the 21st century more and more avenues of entertainment have opened up in our country. Eating out as a form of entertainment has been catching up over the last decade. More and more families are going out for dinner or lunch on a regular basis and this is a form of entertainment for them. Changing Indian Economy Consumer Preferences: As of 2007 the median age of India is 24. Due to the abundant job opportunities and the surge in the economy the amount spent by a consumer on alcohol has increased significantly. The number of women working has increased by a large percentage and due to this the double income households have more disposable income. They can afford give their children more pocket money and they are spending a far greater amount socializing in restaurants and bars. The expenditure of consumers on alcohol drinks has increased by 650% from 1995-2007. (Consumer Lifestyles india, 2008) The rise in income is leading to overall growth in consumption by an average Indian. Eating out on a regular basis has now come to become a cool habit. Eating outside is becoming more and more popular. According to a research conducted by Federation Of Hotel and restaurant Association of India (www.fhari.com 2005) there are 10 million households in India with an average income of Rs 46,000/month and 2 million households with average income of 115,000/month. Due to the change in their economic strata, eating out has become a trend within these elite groups. There are 100 million 17-21 year old in India, and six out of 10 households have a child that was born in the post liberalization and has been brought up with no guilt of consumption. It is estimated that as of 2005 there are 5,00,000 restaurants in the organised sector and this will only increase in the future. According to a survey conducted by The Economic Times, 1.7 percent of Indians dine out more than once a week, 2.5 percent do so once a week and around 2.1 percent dine outside once a fortnight. About 5.5 percent eat out of home once a month on an average and 5.4 percent eat out once every 2-3 months. Around 8 percent say eating out is relegated only to festivals. For 69.6 percent eating out is a rather rare occasion. (Ref: The Economic Times, 21 May,2005). The consumers in the urban areas are more aware of the international brands due to their exposure from offshore travel and media and do not hesitate to pay for premium goods. According to National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) there are five classes of consumer households and the greatest growth is in the upper strata. Upper strata are defined as households with income in excess of Rs 215,000. More than 80% of the top earning households in India are located in the top seven cities of our country. Due to this most of the disposable income in the country is located in these areas. This is the reason behind the growth rate of restaurants, coffee shops, fast food joints and bars in these cities. Another major factor influencing the growth in the food and beverage industry in India is the fact that more than 70% of the countrys population is under the age of 40. This explains the rise of expenditure on leisure products and entertainment. (Sarin, 2005) Indian Theme Restaurants: However, eating out as a concept is also fast changing. People want to break away from the monotony of eating in the same food joints and are looking for more experiential and new avenues to hang out and spend time with their family and friends. Themed restaurants and bars are the flavour of the season. More and more themed bars and restaurants are mushrooming in various metros like across India. A number of theme restaurants have been successful in India. Some of the successful and well know theme restaurants are Mercurries in Delhi Theme, Solar system Orient Express at the Taj Palace New Delhi Theme, Railway carriage of yore Village in Mumbai Theme, Indian village Gufaa Ohris in Hyderabad Theme, Dungeon etc. Serengeti Ohris in Hyderabad Theme, Jungle (Roy, 2008) Each of these theme based restaurants has been successful as the people are looking for a lot more than just eating at the food joints. The time they spend at the restaurant is made more enjoyable interactive and memorable because of the different concepts of these restaurants. This theme based format has been inspired from the success stories of the west. Indian Theme Bars/Sports Bars: Another popular retail format which is just picking up in the Indian market is the bars. Bars in India have mostly mushroomed around metros and other urban areas. There are very few bars in other parts of the country. Traditionally consumers bought the liquor at wine shops and consumed them at home. However, now with the advent of Restaurant/Bars, Bars and clubs, the consumption habits are changing. Bars in India are of various types. Some are social bars where people get together to socialise drink, eat and have fun. Some of these bars are theme based like the Hard Rock Cafe and TGIF. Then there are the shady bars where only men go. Bars with a big enough dance floor are termed as nightclubs. Sports bars are another kind of bars which have just made their way into the Indian market. Sports bars are bars where sports fans find an authentic sporting ambience with large LCD screens for watching live feeds of important international matches, pool tables, basketball courts and video games. Today there are close to 30 sports bars in India across various metros. The biggest player in the Indian market currently is Future Groups subsidiary Galaxy Entertainment Corporation Ltd. It has two brands under it, â€Å"The Sports Bar† and â€Å"Sports Express.† Sports Express offers a wide variety of entertainment activities ranging from Television Programmes, Cricket, Soccer, Pool, Basket-Ball area, Darts and certain places also have a Cricket Pitch. They also serve various Indian and imported brands of liquor along with pan Indian cuisine. It has seven outlets in various cities and another four outlets in the pipeline. â€Å"The Sports Bar† another brand of Galaxy Entertainment Corporation Ltd is located in Mumbai. It is a complete sports bar complimented with an unrivalled ambience. It has a giant screen, multiple LCD TVs, basketball court, pool tables, punching bags and dart boards. It is a favourite destination for many professionals who just wish to unwind after a hard days work. Xtreme Sports Bar is another chain of sports bars; it has seven outlets across Hyderabad, Bangalore and Gurgaon. They also have similar offerings as the other sports bars. However, they are looking to expand further and are looking for suitable people to take up the franchise. Other popular sports bars in India are, Champions, Delhi Starstruck, Kolkata Super stars, Kolkata (Roy, 2008) Other theme bars in India are, Hard Rock Cafe one of the biggest retail brands in the world has opened its shops in various locations like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore etc. TGIF (Thank God Its Friday) is another example of an international retail format opening up in India and doing well. 21 Fahrenheit Condom bar Chandigarh There are a number of factors due to which these theme based bars and restaurants are successful. One important factor which is attractive to people to come to these places is the authenticity they have in decor and food. All these theme based food retail outlets are true to their name and provide a unique experience in line with their theme. The moment you step into these places you are transformed to a fantasy world and the food they serve is very authentic and apt to their name. Even in the case of sports the whole ambience created in the place is so electrifying during any international sporting event. The decor and the buzz in a sports bar are beyond words. With the flags hung in every corner of the place and the giant screen to watch the watch on with a drink in your hand is an experience a lot of the consumers have come to love. Some have argued that the concept of having theme bars and restaurants are just a fad, but it has been proved otherwise. Knowledge Gap Most of the academic articles that I came across were written in the global perspective. There is little literature or data available about bars in the Indian context. In particular when it comes to Sports Bars in India the only information available is about some of the sports bars in India in brief and about the themed restaurants in India. There is no clear information available about the consumer profile of the people who frequent the Sports Bars in India. Also, there is no information available about the consumption pattern of Sports Bar as entertainment/leisure in the Indian context. The articles I have found have no information what so ever on the branding opportunities Sports Bars have. The Socio-Cultural changes that have impacted the average consumers outlook towards a bar are also an important factor that is missing in the literature available. The reasons behind the bar being perceived as a socially acceptable and sophisticated socializing place today is also not covered in the information Available. Problem Definition Research problem To study the sports bar business in India and identify the opportunities these bars have as a business in India. Also to understand the changing customer behaviour towards sports bars. Research Objectives To study the evolution of sports bars in India and understand their system of operation To study the growth of sports bars in India and also understand the consumer behaviour related to sports bars RESEARCH DESIGN Exploratory research in 3 areas: Study the evolution of the sports bars in India Attitude of consumers towards sports bars Patterns and reason for visiting sports bars RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Data Collection Method: PHASE I: Secondary Research Studying the different retail formats of bars in India and their evolution by gathering information from different articles and journals published both globally and locally. PHASE II: Primary Research Primary research involved mostly qualitative research. 1. 5-6 In-depth interviews with industry stake holders like bar owners and bar managers; Ravi K Malpuri owner Hall Of Fame Sports Bar, jubilee hills, Hyderabad Eddie Richards manager Hall of Fame Sports Bar, jubilee hills, Hyderabad Arjun Yelluri owner of Xtreme Sports Bar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Santosh Nath bar manager, Xtreme Sports Bar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Pramod Reddy owner Live Sports Bar, Nubilee Hills, Hyderabad 2. In-depth interviews with consumers (10-15) 3 Male (21-30 age group), 3 Male (31-45 age group) 3 Female (21-30 age group), 3 Female (31-45 age group) The findings of these interviews will be used to generate a questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire is to validate the findings from the In-Depth interviews. 3. Type of research: Qualitative/Quantitative Number of respondents 150 Age group 21-45 Questionnaire administered to consumers and non consumers of bars/sports bars. The In-depth interviews with the industry stake holders will give me a better idea about the target audience and their profiles. The questionnaire was designed from the inputs gathered after the In-depth interviews with industry stake holders and consumers. The questionnaire was administered online due to the absence of bars in the state of Gujarat. The questionnaire is attached in the appendix. The information and data collected through the In-depth Interviews and Questionnaire would be analyzed to come up with research findings for the Sports Bar Industry. Sampling Universe: Anybody living in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, within the age group of 21-45. The person could either have visited or not visited sports bars. Sampling Technique: Random Sampling SCOPE: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore Evolution of Sports Bars Introduction Bars have been around in India for decades. Mostly they were dance bars and some bar upscale bars in the metros. Since the beginning of the 21st century more and more upscale bars and theme bars have been proliferating in India starting with the major metros like Delhi and Mumbai to now cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Gurgaon etc. As the income levels of an average Indian in the cities is increasing, they are looking for different avenues to spend their leisure time and hang out with friends and colleagues. Western Influence The Indian businessmen have always looked to the west for success stories to start their endeavours in India. The bars/restaurants is an example of that. Serving alcohol in a restaurant was a thing of the star hotels only initially. Today hundreds of restaurants have a bar and serve a variety of foreign/Indian liquor and a wide range of cocktails and mocktails. Then came the concept of having gaming areas like pool and bowling. This business model did not take off in India as the Indian government did not give permission to this kind of gaming zones to serve liquor and they retired to becoming just gaming zones and entertained youth and families. After this during the late 90s and early 2000s theme restaurants started opening in India. These restaurants charged a premium for the experience they provide to their customers. The decoration in these restaurants was exquisite. Places like the Oriental Express and The Village restaurant are examples of this. Evolving Indian Market Consumer The Indian customer is ever evolving and adapts to the western trends very easily. The cumulative impact of increasing disposable income, foreign exposure and western media has changed the requirements and consumption habits of young Indians. Hanging out in bars has become a casual thing and a way to unwind for us. Thanks to these upscale bars and clubs, it is not a taboo anymore to go and have a drink in a bar in India. As the consumption of bars has increased also came in a number of clubs starting in major cities like Mumbai Delhi and Bangalore. Initially only hotels had in-house clubs, but over the years a lot of independent clubs have emerged. Sports Bars are popular hang outs in Europe and America. The first ever sports bar was opened way back in 1894. â€Å"Nuf Ced† McGreevy opened his â€Å"3rd Base Saloon† in Boston. The number of local tournaments that happen in these countries is much larger. Due to this a large number of local fans flock to these sports bar to form a community of sorts to support their teams. Apart from these general sports bars there are a large number of bars which promote and support a particular sports club. Most of these bars are in collaboration with the sporting club itself. The telecast all live matches of the club, sell merchandize and have fan interactions at a regular basis at these bars. There was little or no real differentiating factor between bars in India. The need to differentiate gave way to different theme bars and restaurants across India. The first sports bar in India was opened in Goa. It was the perfect place to open the first sports bar as it has a rich culture of football and has a number of spectacular local football clubs like Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Vasco Sports Club. The fans here have been known to travel to different venues to support their teams. Today there are a number of clubs and bars in all major cities in India. Due to this there is not much differentiation between these places. Sports Bars have always been very popular in the western countries where it has become a culture of a sort where friends go to a particular sports bar to watch every local teams match. This popular successful and well tested format of bar was introduced in India only a few years back. Today there are more than 40 sports bars in India. Impact OF IPL The recent surge in the number of sports bars in India can be attributed to the success of IPL (Indian Premier League). Cricket has always been like a religion in India. The only problem was it was not short like a football match. Now with the advent of 20-20 cricket it has become easier for the audience to consume this sport. Due to the fast nature of this format of cricket IPL has become a huge success and this has helped sports bars in India flourish in leaps and bounds. As most of the major cities have their own IPL teams it has increased the local audiences involvement in the sport. This has been the major factor which has influenced the proliferation of sports bars in the recent years across cities in India. Sports bars are filled to capacity on a match day. The most popular sports in Indian sports bars apart from cricket are football and F1. Some sports bars have tie-ups with local sporting teams and sell their merchandize and promote those teams. Branding Opportunity For example, Xtreme sports bar in Hyderabad has a tie-up with Deccan Chargers which is the cities cricket team in the IPL. They have different offers and promotional events during the IPL season and in particular during a Deccan Chargers match. Deccan chargers in turn use this bar as a platform to promote and interact with the local fans. The team players make appearances during the IPL season and interact with the fans, also, they have other promotional activities like having the official team cheerleaders come and perform at the bar. Recently Manchester United Food Beverage (Asia) Pte Ltd and Billionaire Sports Pvt Ltd in collaboration have announced that they will open the first ever offshore club sports bar in India in the city of Delhi. The first ever Manchester United Restaurant and Bar will set the precedence for other clubs to setup their sports in the country where the love and fan following for English Football is rapidly increasing. Local clubs like the Deccan Chargers, Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals have announced their intentions to launch their own sports bar to promote their clubs and entertain their loyal fan base. This would give them an avenue to brand their sporting clubs and also sell their wide variety of merchandize. Xtreme Sports Bar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Manufacturers of sports equipment could use sports bars as a platform to indulge the customers through subliminal branding. The branding at the bars can be done very subtly. As there is already a lot of player merchandize available, sports manufacturers like Nike can promote their brands by hanging only Nike sponsored player jerseys and memorabilia. Apart from this the manufacturers merchandize can be sold at these bars. For ex: Puma the official sponsor of Deccan Chargers can choose to sell their merchandize in these bars where the involvement of the customer is very high as most of the customers are sports fans. Xtreme Sports Bar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad SuryaRay Elixirs Pvt. Ltd.the parent company Xtreme Sports Bar has the largest chain of sports bars in India. The annual revenue of this chain is already in excess of Rs. 25cr within just 2 years of launching. They have 7 outlets across India in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Gurgaon. They plan to expand further in the next couple of years and target revenue of Rs. 160 in a couple of years. Apart from the large number of high definition TVs and a few large projection screens Xtreme Sports bar also offers Foos Ball, Golf Simulators, Dart Board Games, Console Gaming, Lan Gaming and Pool tables for the entertainment of their customers during non match days. Live Sports Bar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Hall of Fame is the new sports bar that has opened in Hyderabad located in Jubilee hills. This bar boasts of eighteen 42 inch televisions and two large projection screens to provide the ultimate match viewing experience to their customers. Licence of sports like NBA etc have been taken by the bar to telecast uninterrupted matches over broadband. The menu itself consists of 12 different types of chicken wings which are the most popular among the match watching crowd apart from other continental dishes. The raw materials for the food are directly imported from the US in order to provide the highest quality of food to their customers. They call themselves a sports grill and not just a sports bar as they give a lot of importance to their expertise in the food services they provide. Hall of Fame plans to expand its branches into cities like Mumbai and Bangalore later this year. Focus On High-End Decor Quality Of Service: In order to compete in the clustered bars and restaurants segment sports bars have carved a niche for themselves. The food service industry is very competitive and in order to compete in them sports bars are redefining this segment and investing a lot in high end decorations and facilities. These bars have a large number of high resolution plasma TVs, and large projection screens and comfortable seating arrangements equipped with class bean bags, sofas and comfortable booths as opposed to the normal seating arrangements available in other bars and restaurants. To keep up the upscale image most of these bars serve a variety of cuisines and employ well trained chefs. The menus are exquisite and offer a large variety. Both Indian and foreign liquors are served in these bars ranging from beer, wine, whisky, scotch, cocktails, mocktails and other in-house specialities. The menu is quite often named after the local club players and sports stars to increase the involvement of the customers. To add to the ambience and the experience player jerseys and flags of different players and sports teams are displayed in the bar. Autographed photos of players, jerseys and other sports memorabilia are hung on the walls. These bars partner with sports teams and liquor companies. As most people come here to watch live matches and have a drink while doing so, the menu focus is mostly on starters and appetizers as people would like to have something to munch on while drinking and watching the matches. One of the unique attractions of these bars is the private cabins they offer. A customer can call and book the private cabins which have a seating capacity of 8-12 people and are equipped with comfortable sofas and bean bags along with a plasma TV. Customers can enjoy the match, sports bar ambience whilst having their privacy. Regular customers are given preference for the cabin and also these bars offer a variety of offers when a local teams match is being telecast. This encourages more customers to come in to watch the local teams matches. These bars try to focus more on the experience and not merely on telecasting the matches. As not all customers who come into these bars are sports oriented, they give equal importance to the level of service and offering they have apart from the viewing experience itself. The key elements of a sports bar Sports based themes—the sports bar should focus on themes that have mass appeal in India. So the focus should be primarily on cricket and other popular sports like football and F1. Distinctive design features and decor— Every bar should have its own characteristic and the main attraction is the visual appeal of the design and layout of these bars. The large collection of sports memorabilia that is displayed at the bars is a big attraction and adds great value to the place. The more authentic the memorabilia the better. Even Hard Rock Cafe does the same with musicians memorabilia displayed all around the place. The location of the sports itself is very important. The bar should be located at a high profile location. The bar should be located at a location which is close to both high profile residential area and also offices. It is also important to take into account the traffic conditions in this area and the income levels of residential areas near to the intended location of the bar. Getting in celebrities and sportsmen into the bars is an important promotional activity. A sports bar get into a tie-up with celebs and athletes as these events would give them enough media coverage during their appearances at these bars. The waiters and bartenders uniform is also designed to fit the mood and decor of these bars. They all wear uniform which look like sports jerseys with the company logo their number and name written at the back ala sportsmen. Some of these bars sell merchandize of the sporting clubs they are involved with. Some stores which have garnered a fan following of sorts can also sell their own bars merchandize to their loyal customers. Apart from providing liquor and telecasting live matches on high resolution televisions and screens, a sports bar also has to focus on providing a wide variety of cuisines The pricing should be reasonable and affordable and each bar should have its own signature dish In order to improve the experience of the customers all sports bars should maintain a high ratio of personnel to customers. This would mean that the customers are tended to quickly. Also the training given to the service personnel and the bartenders should be of the highest order to keep up the high class image of these bars. Having private cabins in your offering is beneficial. Though a large number of people come to sports bars to get immersed in the match along with a large crowd and get a live match feeling, a certain group of customers still would like to have their privacy. This where the private cabins come in handy. Changing Indian Consumption Habits Among Indians eating out is a popular activity. Every year Indians spend over INR 350 billion on eating out in restaurants, fast food joints, bars etc. Eating out is a very popular activity while attending other functions. It is estimated that Indians spend INR 350 billion eating out annually. Of this organized establishments account for only INR 20 billion. International fast food chains such as Subway, McDonalds and Pizza Hut are found in shopping malls and near cinema theatres. The well-off† in urban areas are increasingly eating out in coffee shops, malls or retail stores. Lounge bars are the latest trend in urban areas and are frequented by young professionals, successful executives and single women in their late 20s. This trend began in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Kolkata and will no doubt spread to other urban areas. Among the affluent, clubs are becoming popular. In addition to many recreational Facilities they are upgrading their food facilities and can compete with s ome of the finest restaurants or hotels of India. The new in thing are the sports bars which are mushrooming in different corners of the country. People who are interested in sports or like to be associated with sports go to these places. These bars are frequented by students, young professionals and executives most often. Table 1 Number of On-trade Establishments by Type 2004-2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Bars/pubs 22,411 23,942 25,100 26,211 27,154 Source: Trade interviews, Euromonitor International estimates MARKET INDICATORS Table 13 RetailConsumerExpenditure on Alcoholic Drinks 2004-2009 Rs bn 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total 125.4 137.5 149.7 167.9 185.8 183.7 Source: Euromonitor InternationalNote: 2009 data is forecast Sports Bars Target Segment: The customers who visit sports bars are segments into five different groups, Students Young Professionals Successful executives Sports Enthusiast/Fan Families Young Adults Men and women between the age of 21-25 who are either studying or unemployed fall under this segment. This segment of customers come to a sports bar just to hang out with their friends, enjoy the ambience and enjoy the food and liquor services provided by the bar. This customer comes into sports bars with a group of friends both male and female, and all within the same age group. These people get pocket money from their parents and hence are not spendthrifts. However, portions of this group come from very affluent families, and have no limit on their expenditure. This target segments are very trendy and are very seldom loyal. They are attracted to special offers and discounts and look for these offers availability before going to a place. Offers like happy hours of buy one get one free attract this segment of people. They are generally seen before the peak hours as discounted prices are available at this time. Working Professionals These people are in the age group of 24-30. They have a decent amount of disposable income and like to indulge in activities which help them distress after work. They often come in after work to unwind. They come in either with their colleagues or other friends. These groups can have people from different age groups. They come in to watch the matches as well as to just sit and chat with their friends or colleagues. Successful Executives The people in this segment generally fall under the age group of 30-45. They have already arrived in life and belong to a high income segment. These people often come in just for a drink to catch-up with their friends over a few drinks or with their colleagues to discuss business offline. These people often consume foreign liquor and generally have time to watch only important matches. Sports Enthusiasts This target group accounts for a third of the revenue generated by the sports bars. They are big sports fans and follow their favourite sports passionately. They belong to different age groups and can be students, young professionals or successful executives. This group of sports enthusiast t Analysis of Sports Bar Businesses in India for Opportunities Analysis of Sports Bar Businesses in India for Opportunities Sports Bar Business in India from a Cultural and Branding Perspective INTRODUCTION Post liberalization the Indian economy has grown exponentially. The fall out of this is the increase in disposable income of the consumers, emergence of credit card culture and the decreasing size of households. The change in the economic status is the catalyst to the change in the social and cultural trends that have caused the change in the way a consumer views everyday food and beverages. The consumer today has very different preferences. Consumers today are more aware about different things in the world due to extensive travel and foreign media. These are some of the social and economic reasons behind the consumer moving towards fine dining, imported spirits and wine as opposed to conventional beverages. Due to this paradigm shift coffee shops, restaurants, fast food joints and bars have become successful. India is relatively new to the concept of a bar. In India bars are located mostly in the metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc. Sports bars in particular are very new to our country and are growing at a very rapid rate. The advent of IPL and the increase in craze for club football and F1 has only boosted its prospects. LITERATURE REVIEW The Indian economy is booming and the living standards and the lifestyles in the urban areas are fast changing. Entertainment as an industry is growing exponentially over the past decade. From the turn of the 21st century more and more avenues of entertainment have opened up in our country. Eating out as a form of entertainment has been catching up over the last decade. More and more families are going out for dinner or lunch on a regular basis and this is a form of entertainment for them. Changing Indian Economy Consumer Preferences: As of 2007 the median age of India is 24. Due to the abundant job opportunities and the surge in the economy the amount spent by a consumer on alcohol has increased significantly. The number of women working has increased by a large percentage and due to this the double income households have more disposable income. They can afford give their children more pocket money and they are spending a far greater amount socializing in restaurants and bars. The expenditure of consumers on alcohol drinks has increased by 650% from 1995-2007. (Consumer Lifestyles india, 2008) The rise in income is leading to overall growth in consumption by an average Indian. Eating out on a regular basis has now come to become a cool habit. Eating outside is becoming more and more popular. According to a research conducted by Federation Of Hotel and restaurant Association of India (www.fhari.com 2005) there are 10 million households in India with an average income of Rs 46,000/month and 2 million households with average income of 115,000/month. Due to the change in their economic strata, eating out has become a trend within these elite groups. There are 100 million 17-21 year old in India, and six out of 10 households have a child that was born in the post liberalization and has been brought up with no guilt of consumption. It is estimated that as of 2005 there are 5,00,000 restaurants in the organised sector and this will only increase in the future. According to a survey conducted by The Economic Times, 1.7 percent of Indians dine out more than once a week, 2.5 percent do so once a week and around 2.1 percent dine outside once a fortnight. About 5.5 percent eat out of home once a month on an average and 5.4 percent eat out once every 2-3 months. Around 8 percent say eating out is relegated only to festivals. For 69.6 percent eating out is a rather rare occasion. (Ref: The Economic Times, 21 May,2005). The consumers in the urban areas are more aware of the international brands due to their exposure from offshore travel and media and do not hesitate to pay for premium goods. According to National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) there are five classes of consumer households and the greatest growth is in the upper strata. Upper strata are defined as households with income in excess of Rs 215,000. More than 80% of the top earning households in India are located in the top seven cities of our country. Due to this most of the disposable income in the country is located in these areas. This is the reason behind the growth rate of restaurants, coffee shops, fast food joints and bars in these cities. Another major factor influencing the growth in the food and beverage industry in India is the fact that more than 70% of the countrys population is under the age of 40. This explains the rise of expenditure on leisure products and entertainment. (Sarin, 2005) Indian Theme Restaurants: However, eating out as a concept is also fast changing. People want to break away from the monotony of eating in the same food joints and are looking for more experiential and new avenues to hang out and spend time with their family and friends. Themed restaurants and bars are the flavour of the season. More and more themed bars and restaurants are mushrooming in various metros like across India. A number of theme restaurants have been successful in India. Some of the successful and well know theme restaurants are Mercurries in Delhi Theme, Solar system Orient Express at the Taj Palace New Delhi Theme, Railway carriage of yore Village in Mumbai Theme, Indian village Gufaa Ohris in Hyderabad Theme, Dungeon etc. Serengeti Ohris in Hyderabad Theme, Jungle (Roy, 2008) Each of these theme based restaurants has been successful as the people are looking for a lot more than just eating at the food joints. The time they spend at the restaurant is made more enjoyable interactive and memorable because of the different concepts of these restaurants. This theme based format has been inspired from the success stories of the west. Indian Theme Bars/Sports Bars: Another popular retail format which is just picking up in the Indian market is the bars. Bars in India have mostly mushroomed around metros and other urban areas. There are very few bars in other parts of the country. Traditionally consumers bought the liquor at wine shops and consumed them at home. However, now with the advent of Restaurant/Bars, Bars and clubs, the consumption habits are changing. Bars in India are of various types. Some are social bars where people get together to socialise drink, eat and have fun. Some of these bars are theme based like the Hard Rock Cafe and TGIF. Then there are the shady bars where only men go. Bars with a big enough dance floor are termed as nightclubs. Sports bars are another kind of bars which have just made their way into the Indian market. Sports bars are bars where sports fans find an authentic sporting ambience with large LCD screens for watching live feeds of important international matches, pool tables, basketball courts and video games. Today there are close to 30 sports bars in India across various metros. The biggest player in the Indian market currently is Future Groups subsidiary Galaxy Entertainment Corporation Ltd. It has two brands under it, â€Å"The Sports Bar† and â€Å"Sports Express.† Sports Express offers a wide variety of entertainment activities ranging from Television Programmes, Cricket, Soccer, Pool, Basket-Ball area, Darts and certain places also have a Cricket Pitch. They also serve various Indian and imported brands of liquor along with pan Indian cuisine. It has seven outlets in various cities and another four outlets in the pipeline. â€Å"The Sports Bar† another brand of Galaxy Entertainment Corporation Ltd is located in Mumbai. It is a complete sports bar complimented with an unrivalled ambience. It has a giant screen, multiple LCD TVs, basketball court, pool tables, punching bags and dart boards. It is a favourite destination for many professionals who just wish to unwind after a hard days work. Xtreme Sports Bar is another chain of sports bars; it has seven outlets across Hyderabad, Bangalore and Gurgaon. They also have similar offerings as the other sports bars. However, they are looking to expand further and are looking for suitable people to take up the franchise. Other popular sports bars in India are, Champions, Delhi Starstruck, Kolkata Super stars, Kolkata (Roy, 2008) Other theme bars in India are, Hard Rock Cafe one of the biggest retail brands in the world has opened its shops in various locations like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore etc. TGIF (Thank God Its Friday) is another example of an international retail format opening up in India and doing well. 21 Fahrenheit Condom bar Chandigarh There are a number of factors due to which these theme based bars and restaurants are successful. One important factor which is attractive to people to come to these places is the authenticity they have in decor and food. All these theme based food retail outlets are true to their name and provide a unique experience in line with their theme. The moment you step into these places you are transformed to a fantasy world and the food they serve is very authentic and apt to their name. Even in the case of sports the whole ambience created in the place is so electrifying during any international sporting event. The decor and the buzz in a sports bar are beyond words. With the flags hung in every corner of the place and the giant screen to watch the watch on with a drink in your hand is an experience a lot of the consumers have come to love. Some have argued that the concept of having theme bars and restaurants are just a fad, but it has been proved otherwise. Knowledge Gap Most of the academic articles that I came across were written in the global perspective. There is little literature or data available about bars in the Indian context. In particular when it comes to Sports Bars in India the only information available is about some of the sports bars in India in brief and about the themed restaurants in India. There is no clear information available about the consumer profile of the people who frequent the Sports Bars in India. Also, there is no information available about the consumption pattern of Sports Bar as entertainment/leisure in the Indian context. The articles I have found have no information what so ever on the branding opportunities Sports Bars have. The Socio-Cultural changes that have impacted the average consumers outlook towards a bar are also an important factor that is missing in the literature available. The reasons behind the bar being perceived as a socially acceptable and sophisticated socializing place today is also not covered in the information Available. Problem Definition Research problem To study the sports bar business in India and identify the opportunities these bars have as a business in India. Also to understand the changing customer behaviour towards sports bars. Research Objectives To study the evolution of sports bars in India and understand their system of operation To study the growth of sports bars in India and also understand the consumer behaviour related to sports bars RESEARCH DESIGN Exploratory research in 3 areas: Study the evolution of the sports bars in India Attitude of consumers towards sports bars Patterns and reason for visiting sports bars RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Data Collection Method: PHASE I: Secondary Research Studying the different retail formats of bars in India and their evolution by gathering information from different articles and journals published both globally and locally. PHASE II: Primary Research Primary research involved mostly qualitative research. 1. 5-6 In-depth interviews with industry stake holders like bar owners and bar managers; Ravi K Malpuri owner Hall Of Fame Sports Bar, jubilee hills, Hyderabad Eddie Richards manager Hall of Fame Sports Bar, jubilee hills, Hyderabad Arjun Yelluri owner of Xtreme Sports Bar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Santosh Nath bar manager, Xtreme Sports Bar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Pramod Reddy owner Live Sports Bar, Nubilee Hills, Hyderabad 2. In-depth interviews with consumers (10-15) 3 Male (21-30 age group), 3 Male (31-45 age group) 3 Female (21-30 age group), 3 Female (31-45 age group) The findings of these interviews will be used to generate a questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire is to validate the findings from the In-Depth interviews. 3. Type of research: Qualitative/Quantitative Number of respondents 150 Age group 21-45 Questionnaire administered to consumers and non consumers of bars/sports bars. The In-depth interviews with the industry stake holders will give me a better idea about the target audience and their profiles. The questionnaire was designed from the inputs gathered after the In-depth interviews with industry stake holders and consumers. The questionnaire was administered online due to the absence of bars in the state of Gujarat. The questionnaire is attached in the appendix. The information and data collected through the In-depth Interviews and Questionnaire would be analyzed to come up with research findings for the Sports Bar Industry. Sampling Universe: Anybody living in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, within the age group of 21-45. The person could either have visited or not visited sports bars. Sampling Technique: Random Sampling SCOPE: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore Evolution of Sports Bars Introduction Bars have been around in India for decades. Mostly they were dance bars and some bar upscale bars in the metros. Since the beginning of the 21st century more and more upscale bars and theme bars have been proliferating in India starting with the major metros like Delhi and Mumbai to now cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Gurgaon etc. As the income levels of an average Indian in the cities is increasing, they are looking for different avenues to spend their leisure time and hang out with friends and colleagues. Western Influence The Indian businessmen have always looked to the west for success stories to start their endeavours in India. The bars/restaurants is an example of that. Serving alcohol in a restaurant was a thing of the star hotels only initially. Today hundreds of restaurants have a bar and serve a variety of foreign/Indian liquor and a wide range of cocktails and mocktails. Then came the concept of having gaming areas like pool and bowling. This business model did not take off in India as the Indian government did not give permission to this kind of gaming zones to serve liquor and they retired to becoming just gaming zones and entertained youth and families. After this during the late 90s and early 2000s theme restaurants started opening in India. These restaurants charged a premium for the experience they provide to their customers. The decoration in these restaurants was exquisite. Places like the Oriental Express and The Village restaurant are examples of this. Evolving Indian Market Consumer The Indian customer is ever evolving and adapts to the western trends very easily. The cumulative impact of increasing disposable income, foreign exposure and western media has changed the requirements and consumption habits of young Indians. Hanging out in bars has become a casual thing and a way to unwind for us. Thanks to these upscale bars and clubs, it is not a taboo anymore to go and have a drink in a bar in India. As the consumption of bars has increased also came in a number of clubs starting in major cities like Mumbai Delhi and Bangalore. Initially only hotels had in-house clubs, but over the years a lot of independent clubs have emerged. Sports Bars are popular hang outs in Europe and America. The first ever sports bar was opened way back in 1894. â€Å"Nuf Ced† McGreevy opened his â€Å"3rd Base Saloon† in Boston. The number of local tournaments that happen in these countries is much larger. Due to this a large number of local fans flock to these sports bar to form a community of sorts to support their teams. Apart from these general sports bars there are a large number of bars which promote and support a particular sports club. Most of these bars are in collaboration with the sporting club itself. The telecast all live matches of the club, sell merchandize and have fan interactions at a regular basis at these bars. There was little or no real differentiating factor between bars in India. The need to differentiate gave way to different theme bars and restaurants across India. The first sports bar in India was opened in Goa. It was the perfect place to open the first sports bar as it has a rich culture of football and has a number of spectacular local football clubs like Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Vasco Sports Club. The fans here have been known to travel to different venues to support their teams. Today there are a number of clubs and bars in all major cities in India. Due to this there is not much differentiation between these places. Sports Bars have always been very popular in the western countries where it has become a culture of a sort where friends go to a particular sports bar to watch every local teams match. This popular successful and well tested format of bar was introduced in India only a few years back. Today there are more than 40 sports bars in India. Impact OF IPL The recent surge in the number of sports bars in India can be attributed to the success of IPL (Indian Premier League). Cricket has always been like a religion in India. The only problem was it was not short like a football match. Now with the advent of 20-20 cricket it has become easier for the audience to consume this sport. Due to the fast nature of this format of cricket IPL has become a huge success and this has helped sports bars in India flourish in leaps and bounds. As most of the major cities have their own IPL teams it has increased the local audiences involvement in the sport. This has been the major factor which has influenced the proliferation of sports bars in the recent years across cities in India. Sports bars are filled to capacity on a match day. The most popular sports in Indian sports bars apart from cricket are football and F1. Some sports bars have tie-ups with local sporting teams and sell their merchandize and promote those teams. Branding Opportunity For example, Xtreme sports bar in Hyderabad has a tie-up with Deccan Chargers which is the cities cricket team in the IPL. They have different offers and promotional events during the IPL season and in particular during a Deccan Chargers match. Deccan chargers in turn use this bar as a platform to promote and interact with the local fans. The team players make appearances during the IPL season and interact with the fans, also, they have other promotional activities like having the official team cheerleaders come and perform at the bar. Recently Manchester United Food Beverage (Asia) Pte Ltd and Billionaire Sports Pvt Ltd in collaboration have announced that they will open the first ever offshore club sports bar in India in the city of Delhi. The first ever Manchester United Restaurant and Bar will set the precedence for other clubs to setup their sports in the country where the love and fan following for English Football is rapidly increasing. Local clubs like the Deccan Chargers, Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals have announced their intentions to launch their own sports bar to promote their clubs and entertain their loyal fan base. This would give them an avenue to brand their sporting clubs and also sell their wide variety of merchandize. Xtreme Sports Bar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Manufacturers of sports equipment could use sports bars as a platform to indulge the customers through subliminal branding. The branding at the bars can be done very subtly. As there is already a lot of player merchandize available, sports manufacturers like Nike can promote their brands by hanging only Nike sponsored player jerseys and memorabilia. Apart from this the manufacturers merchandize can be sold at these bars. For ex: Puma the official sponsor of Deccan Chargers can choose to sell their merchandize in these bars where the involvement of the customer is very high as most of the customers are sports fans. Xtreme Sports Bar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad SuryaRay Elixirs Pvt. Ltd.the parent company Xtreme Sports Bar has the largest chain of sports bars in India. The annual revenue of this chain is already in excess of Rs. 25cr within just 2 years of launching. They have 7 outlets across India in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Gurgaon. They plan to expand further in the next couple of years and target revenue of Rs. 160 in a couple of years. Apart from the large number of high definition TVs and a few large projection screens Xtreme Sports bar also offers Foos Ball, Golf Simulators, Dart Board Games, Console Gaming, Lan Gaming and Pool tables for the entertainment of their customers during non match days. Live Sports Bar, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Hall of Fame is the new sports bar that has opened in Hyderabad located in Jubilee hills. This bar boasts of eighteen 42 inch televisions and two large projection screens to provide the ultimate match viewing experience to their customers. Licence of sports like NBA etc have been taken by the bar to telecast uninterrupted matches over broadband. The menu itself consists of 12 different types of chicken wings which are the most popular among the match watching crowd apart from other continental dishes. The raw materials for the food are directly imported from the US in order to provide the highest quality of food to their customers. They call themselves a sports grill and not just a sports bar as they give a lot of importance to their expertise in the food services they provide. Hall of Fame plans to expand its branches into cities like Mumbai and Bangalore later this year. Focus On High-End Decor Quality Of Service: In order to compete in the clustered bars and restaurants segment sports bars have carved a niche for themselves. The food service industry is very competitive and in order to compete in them sports bars are redefining this segment and investing a lot in high end decorations and facilities. These bars have a large number of high resolution plasma TVs, and large projection screens and comfortable seating arrangements equipped with class bean bags, sofas and comfortable booths as opposed to the normal seating arrangements available in other bars and restaurants. To keep up the upscale image most of these bars serve a variety of cuisines and employ well trained chefs. The menus are exquisite and offer a large variety. Both Indian and foreign liquors are served in these bars ranging from beer, wine, whisky, scotch, cocktails, mocktails and other in-house specialities. The menu is quite often named after the local club players and sports stars to increase the involvement of the customers. To add to the ambience and the experience player jerseys and flags of different players and sports teams are displayed in the bar. Autographed photos of players, jerseys and other sports memorabilia are hung on the walls. These bars partner with sports teams and liquor companies. As most people come here to watch live matches and have a drink while doing so, the menu focus is mostly on starters and appetizers as people would like to have something to munch on while drinking and watching the matches. One of the unique attractions of these bars is the private cabins they offer. A customer can call and book the private cabins which have a seating capacity of 8-12 people and are equipped with comfortable sofas and bean bags along with a plasma TV. Customers can enjoy the match, sports bar ambience whilst having their privacy. Regular customers are given preference for the cabin and also these bars offer a variety of offers when a local teams match is being telecast. This encourages more customers to come in to watch the local teams matches. These bars try to focus more on the experience and not merely on telecasting the matches. As not all customers who come into these bars are sports oriented, they give equal importance to the level of service and offering they have apart from the viewing experience itself. The key elements of a sports bar Sports based themes—the sports bar should focus on themes that have mass appeal in India. So the focus should be primarily on cricket and other popular sports like football and F1. Distinctive design features and decor— Every bar should have its own characteristic and the main attraction is the visual appeal of the design and layout of these bars. The large collection of sports memorabilia that is displayed at the bars is a big attraction and adds great value to the place. The more authentic the memorabilia the better. Even Hard Rock Cafe does the same with musicians memorabilia displayed all around the place. The location of the sports itself is very important. The bar should be located at a high profile location. The bar should be located at a location which is close to both high profile residential area and also offices. It is also important to take into account the traffic conditions in this area and the income levels of residential areas near to the intended location of the bar. Getting in celebrities and sportsmen into the bars is an important promotional activity. A sports bar get into a tie-up with celebs and athletes as these events would give them enough media coverage during their appearances at these bars. The waiters and bartenders uniform is also designed to fit the mood and decor of these bars. They all wear uniform which look like sports jerseys with the company logo their number and name written at the back ala sportsmen. Some of these bars sell merchandize of the sporting clubs they are involved with. Some stores which have garnered a fan following of sorts can also sell their own bars merchandize to their loyal customers. Apart from providing liquor and telecasting live matches on high resolution televisions and screens, a sports bar also has to focus on providing a wide variety of cuisines The pricing should be reasonable and affordable and each bar should have its own signature dish In order to improve the experience of the customers all sports bars should maintain a high ratio of personnel to customers. This would mean that the customers are tended to quickly. Also the training given to the service personnel and the bartenders should be of the highest order to keep up the high class image of these bars. Having private cabins in your offering is beneficial. Though a large number of people come to sports bars to get immersed in the match along with a large crowd and get a live match feeling, a certain group of customers still would like to have their privacy. This where the private cabins come in handy. Changing Indian Consumption Habits Among Indians eating out is a popular activity. Every year Indians spend over INR 350 billion on eating out in restaurants, fast food joints, bars etc. Eating out is a very popular activity while attending other functions. It is estimated that Indians spend INR 350 billion eating out annually. Of this organized establishments account for only INR 20 billion. International fast food chains such as Subway, McDonalds and Pizza Hut are found in shopping malls and near cinema theatres. The well-off† in urban areas are increasingly eating out in coffee shops, malls or retail stores. Lounge bars are the latest trend in urban areas and are frequented by young professionals, successful executives and single women in their late 20s. This trend began in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Kolkata and will no doubt spread to other urban areas. Among the affluent, clubs are becoming popular. In addition to many recreational Facilities they are upgrading their food facilities and can compete with s ome of the finest restaurants or hotels of India. The new in thing are the sports bars which are mushrooming in different corners of the country. People who are interested in sports or like to be associated with sports go to these places. These bars are frequented by students, young professionals and executives most often. Table 1 Number of On-trade Establishments by Type 2004-2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Bars/pubs 22,411 23,942 25,100 26,211 27,154 Source: Trade interviews, Euromonitor International estimates MARKET INDICATORS Table 13 RetailConsumerExpenditure on Alcoholic Drinks 2004-2009 Rs bn 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total 125.4 137.5 149.7 167.9 185.8 183.7 Source: Euromonitor InternationalNote: 2009 data is forecast Sports Bars Target Segment: The customers who visit sports bars are segments into five different groups, Students Young Professionals Successful executives Sports Enthusiast/Fan Families Young Adults Men and women between the age of 21-25 who are either studying or unemployed fall under this segment. This segment of customers come to a sports bar just to hang out with their friends, enjoy the ambience and enjoy the food and liquor services provided by the bar. This customer comes into sports bars with a group of friends both male and female, and all within the same age group. These people get pocket money from their parents and hence are not spendthrifts. However, portions of this group come from very affluent families, and have no limit on their expenditure. This target segments are very trendy and are very seldom loyal. They are attracted to special offers and discounts and look for these offers availability before going to a place. Offers like happy hours of buy one get one free attract this segment of people. They are generally seen before the peak hours as discounted prices are available at this time. Working Professionals These people are in the age group of 24-30. They have a decent amount of disposable income and like to indulge in activities which help them distress after work. They often come in after work to unwind. They come in either with their colleagues or other friends. These groups can have people from different age groups. They come in to watch the matches as well as to just sit and chat with their friends or colleagues. Successful Executives The people in this segment generally fall under the age group of 30-45. They have already arrived in life and belong to a high income segment. These people often come in just for a drink to catch-up with their friends over a few drinks or with their colleagues to discuss business offline. These people often consume foreign liquor and generally have time to watch only important matches. Sports Enthusiasts This target group accounts for a third of the revenue generated by the sports bars. They are big sports fans and follow their favourite sports passionately. They belong to different age groups and can be students, young professionals or successful executives. This group of sports enthusiast t