The path to become a scenario manager can depend on the industry of interest. It may include higher education, industry experience, and background checks or clearances. Scenario planning is a discipline using hypothetical scenarios to prepare team members for real-world situations. Principles from this field can be applied to diverse settings like health care, business, and national intelligence.
A college degree is often necessary to become a scenario manager. The degree should be in the industry the person plans to work in; for example, someone who wants to help retail stores with planning for product development, distribution, and pricing may want a degree in business. Conversely, someone who provides support to a government agency may need a degree in political science, intelligence, or related matters.
Bachelor’s degrees can be sufficient for some jobs, but a master’s degree may be helpful. High-ranking management positions can be harder to break into with only a four year degree, especially if there is competition for a coveted spot. Someone who wants to become a scenario manager may want to study subjects like game theory and computer programming while in school because these can play a role in the development and execution of scenarios.
Internship or work experience in the field is also helpful for someone who intends to become a scenario manager. Jobs may be available to promising students and these could develop into offers of employment after graduation. Students can also use their job experience as a valuable resume entry on job applications. After graduation, they may apply for positions on scenario planning and analysis teams to start building skills.
Employers may expect at least three years of experience from an applicant for a scenario manager position. The job requires not only knowledge of the industry and protocols, but also the ability to coordinate the team and organize events. After someone has become a scenario manager, the job can involve a variety of complex simulations that may require coordination and cooperation from people in many different departments. Effective communicators who are comfortable in a range of work environments are more likely to succeed.
At government agencies, a background check is another aspect of the process. People working in sensitive environments may need a security clearance to confirm that they can work safely in those locations. For those considering government careers, it’s important to avoid situations that might raise alarms, like racking up high debts or associating with people known to be security risks.