As an educated business professional, you can channel your expertise and knowledge into an array of lucrative career paths, such as marketing, financial planning, and management. You will advance in these disciplines quickly if you possess extensive knowledge of advanced business practices, which can be achieved by pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
You can enroll in specialized online MBA programs, which are flexible and customizable if you have a busy work schedule. These are highly sought-after credentials that can give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in a number of different industries. You will gain theoretical and practical training in business. The MBA coursework includes subjects in accounting, finance, marketing, operations management, and human resources. Other MBA programs offer concentrations in specific areas of business, such as entrepreneurship or international business.
Industries that hire MBA graduates
With an MBA degree, you can get better career opportunities and successfully advance your career. From startups to multinational corporations, small and large companies rely on driven business professionals to succeed. The skills and knowledge you gain from pursuing an MBA will help you succeed in business, either through self-employment or a full-time job.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, three of the fastest-growing occupations are information systems managers, operations researchers and financial analysts. These are high-demand areas that offer great income potential and help you advance your career in many different ways.
When you have an MBA degree, it will give you a solid foundation in business administration skills that allow you to lead and add value in any field of business. Some of the most common industries that hire MBA graduates include:
- Management
- Finance
- Administration
- Marketing
Related: 10 Traits and Qualities of an Awesome Accountant
Career paths for MBA graduates
An MBA can be a valuable asset for those looking to advance their career in business. With an MBA, you can pursue a variety of different career paths, both inside and outside of the traditional business world.
Here are some of the career opportunities you can consider with an MBA.
Market research analyst
As a market research analyst, you will be tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that products and services sell effectively. To achieve this, you will need to identify and understand market trends and break down customer buying behaviors.
You will need to have a strong understanding of the client’s business objectives and marketing goals. Your job will be to propose the best strategy for achieving these goals within the set budget. You may be asked to analyze current market trends and prepare forecasts based on evidence from the past, present and future.
You will also need to analyze new products or services that have become popular and understand which factors are influencing customer choices.
Financial manager
A position as a financial manager can provide you with a wide range of opportunities. You can oversee a team of employees and have responsibilities for managing the department’s finances, including payroll.
You will be responsible for formulating budgets and developing financial policies that are responsible for all aspects of the department’s financial execution. This includes banking and credit, negotiations with vendors, and calculation of sales commissions.
Human resources manager
As a manager in human resources, you will play an integral role in the maintenance of an organization’s workforce. You will be responsible for establishing policies to help ensure maximum performance within the department and develop ways to improve employee job satisfaction.
You will work closely with the company’s leadership team and have direct contact with senior managers and members of upper management. You may be asked to establish training programs for employees, create employee benefit packages, and interview candidates for new positions at the company.
Chief executive officer (CEO)
If you have dreams of becoming a CEO, an MBA can help you achieve the position. An MBA provides you with the foundational knowledge of business operations and management skills that are essential for achieving this position.
Note that achieving this pinnacle career goal is not easy. You will need to start as a manager and go through several years of experience before becoming the CEO. However, if you succeed, your salary and status in the company will be significantly higher than a non-MBA professional performing the same job responsibilities.
Administrative services manager
If you are looking for a managerial position that requires less work, you may want to consider becoming an administrative services manager. The job description may sound passive, but it is still a highly sought-after job in most industries.
An administrative services manager is responsible for overseeing multiple departmental operations. You will be tasked with managing and maintaining an office’s staff, facilities and equipment, including computers. You will also manage company financials and regularly communicate with clients and vendors.
You will work with executives to plan out company growth strategies and communicate these with managers on your team. You will analyze data from the areas of procurement, production, quality control, inventory management, product research and development.
Development and training manager
If you are looking for a managerial position that involves significant amounts of managing and coordinating, consider becoming a development and training manager. You will be responsible for setting up new programs and overseeing the training of employees.
This job requires you to be the go-to person for any client-related issues in which your company is involved. You will be responsible for developing methods to engage and retain clients. You will also work with other departments to develop new products or services. It is your job to ensure that all the pieces fit together so that the client receives all of their promised services in a timely manner.
A development manager is expected to take care of a team’s personal development needs by creating and implementing programs to develop staff members’ skills. If a company hires an expert, such as a coach or trainer, they can usually expect that they will perform under your direction. With an MBA qualification, you will have the resources and knowledge to help your team achieve their full potential.
Bottom line
An MBA can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to excel as a business manager in any company. By gaining this qualification, you will be able to demonstrate your leadership qualities and be well-equipped to handle the managerial role. An MBA is not easy to achieve, but it can have a significant impact on your career by advancing your opportunities and increasing your earnings potential. Achieving this qualification is challenging, but it will help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
