When navigating professional industries, MBA careers and jobs are frequently talked about.
Further education has always been an essential part of padding your resume and improving professional development.
With an MBA, you’ll not only have access to a plethora of new jobs but higher salaries and better job titles as well.
Accredited MBA Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.What Is an MBA?
MBA is short for a Master of Business Administration and is one of the most common graduate degrees.
Within your courses, you’ll navigate many essential business concepts as well as unique specialties.
Students can experience enhanced leadership skill development, managerial task development, and technical knowledge.
Professional organizations frequently see MBA’s as an exceptional benefit to an individual’s business acumen.
It’s also a unique area of study because of how diverse the graduate program is.
You can find full-time programs, one to two-year programs, part-time programs, and more.
Most institutions specifically design their MBA programs to be easy for working professionals to take advantage of.
You’ll find most participants are already employed and are looking to diversify their existing skills.
It’s common to find both in-person and online course offerings, making it even easier to master.
What Do MBA Programs Cover?
As we discussed, a Master of Business Administration covers a ton of topics across a large spectrum.
It’s a degree often used by managers, supervisors, marketing professionals, sales representatives, and more.
With that said, some of the most common subjects you’ll encounter include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Public Speaking
- Sales
All of your courses will have a combination of real-world and theoretical components for hands-on and academic learning.
Students will find themselves working in groups and independently, focusing on case studies and practical experience.
By the conclusion of the program, you’ll have a complete insight into reliable management skills to apply to your career.
How Long Are MBA Programs?
The length of your MBA program will depend solely on where you’re studying.
Most full-time programs can take between 18 and 20 months to complete.
If you prefer to take your courses part-time, also known as professional MBA programs, it can take up to 26 months.
Ideally, you’ll want to determine which offer best suits your schedule.
If you’re able to work while continuing your education, it can be more beneficial to avoid student loans.
How Do I Get an MBA?
It’s important to remember that an MBA is a graduate degree, so you will need an undergraduate degree before applying.
Most students will apply to a business school to obtain their MBA, so you have to wait to be approved.
If you opt for some of the more prestigious business schools, you’ll require an excellent academic record.
During the application process, you can decide whether you would prefer full-time or part-time MBA programs.
Alternatively, you could opt for an EMBA, Executive Master of Business Administration.
EMBA programs are specifically designed for older professionals already in management positions.
With these programs, you’ll find your work experience and professional networks are of the utmost importance.
Since applicants are typically older and more experienced, there’s less pressure on academic records and transcripts.
What makes EMBA programs unique is that they allow full-time employees to earn their MBA using weekend and evening classes.
Depending on where you work, you might also have an employer who will pay for your tuition wholly or partly.
Typically, this benefit requires proof that the EMBA will directly benefit the employee and make them a valuable company asset.
GPA Requirements
Students who are pursuing traditional MBA programs will be required to provide their academic transcripts.
It’s important to note that although having a GPA of 3.8 or higher is very beneficial, it might not be required.
Most business schools require a GPA of 3.5 or better to be considered for placement in a program.
GMAT Test Scores
Another essential factor to consider when applying for a graduate business degree is the GMAT test.
The Graduate Management Admission Test is a standardized assessment that tests your aptitude in:
- Verbal skills
- Analytical writing
- Mathematics
It’s required by most of the prestigious business schools before gaining entry into an MBA program.
The average score top-tier programs expect ranges between 720 and 730, while a perfect score is 800.
What Jobs Can I Get With an MBA?
After you’ve concluded your studies, it’s time to consider jobs for MBA graduates.
There are a significant number of opportunities, especially if you’re entering the workforce for the first time.
Or, you can use your new degree to help you progress in your current position to a higher-ranking title.
Let’s explore the answer to, “What jobs can I get with an MBA?” to help you prepare for your future endeavors.
Marketing Manager: $136,850
Marketing managers can be one of the most in-demand jobs, especially for small businesses.
Companies are continually looking for ways to improve their visibility and outreach to better their bottom line.
Marketing managers are an asset for developing strategic plans to test markets to see which outreach techniques to use.
On an average day, you’ll coordinate a marketing team to work with campaigns for individual businesses.
This task could include testing potential products and services, conducting consumer research, and more.
Once your research is concluded, you’ll present your solution to executives to determine if it fits into their business plan.
Health Services Manager: $100,980
If you’re interested in getting into a career field slated to experience exponential growth, health services are ideal.
Especially with the current climate of the pandemic, these professionals are in higher demand than ever before.
You’ll be responsible for many of the day-to-day logistical challenges that hospitals and healthcare facilities experience.
For example, you might need to set up vaccine distribution, manage equipment allocation and purchasing, and more.
It’s also common for health services managers to keep meticulous hospital spending records to stick to budgets.
All-in-all, these professionals are required to minimize costs and keep the healthcare industry running smoothly.
Management Consultant: $165,000
Management consultants are another critical job position for most small and large companies.
Companies that require these consultants need an outsider’s perspective about operations.
You might find executives are finding it challenging to overcome obstacles or management isn’t performing as required.
As a management consultant, you will need to assess the problem areas in a business and provide solutions.
Depending on where you work, you could be with a team of consultants or independent.
Another significant benefit of this career is that it’s highly resilient, showing substantial progress over the years.
Business Operations Manager: $100,780
Another career that focuses on how businesses perform is a business operations manager.
Much like its name suggests, this career revolves around analyzing how businesses work to improve their operations.
You have to look at the work environment and employee satisfaction to manage effectiveness and productivity.
Business operations managers often work with logistics as well, depending on the type of industry.
For example, if the business sells and ships products, you will need to look at logistical challenges to improve operations.
It’s a very hands-on career that enables you to manage the success or failure of a business.
IT Manager: $115,800
If you’ve always had a knack for technology, some of the best jobs for MBA grads are in the tech field.
IT managers are a well-sought position, especially when managing the technical abilities of a company.
In this position, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the computer and phone systems in a business.
You’ll also be responsible for ensuring modern upgrades are implemented within a reasonable time frame.
As another essential component of this job title, you’ll also be responsible for technological security.
This task could include managing employee firewalls and ensuring files are encrypted.
You will spend most of your day-to-day operations with your team of IT professionals.
You will also be required to hold meetings with management to discuss changes and security concerns.
Considering this career revolves around technology, it’s predicted to experience exponential growth in the coming years.
Financial Manager: $109,740
As another specialty you can delve into with an MBA, financial managers are great jobs you can get with an MBA.
It’s also a fantastic career choice since it’s in line with your graduate studies, as MBAs have a strong focus on finance.
As a financial manager, you’ll oversee the economic successes and failures of a company.
Your team will be responsible for generating financial reports while analyzing trends.
Upon completion, you have to provide monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews with top management.
Using the information you find in your reports, companies will make budget decisions.
You’ll find most financial management positions require an MBA because of their extensive requirements.
For example, professionals will need key knowledge about standard finance software.
You’ll also be expected to show significant analytical abilities for managing company reports.
Which Field of MBA Is Best for Jobs?
Instead of considering specific jobs for MBA graduates, it can be beneficial to consider fields.
When you’re looking for the best jobs for MBA grads, you must consider salary as well as outlook.
You’ll want to ensure you choose a fieldset to show exponential growth over the coming years.
Below are our top recommendations for fields to keep an eye out for.
Technology Management
The implementation of technology isn’t going to slow down any time soon.
Companies are continually competing to have the latest innovations added to their businesses.
It’s also important to note many of these jobs don’t require an MBA, but added credentials are pretty beneficial.
With its expected growth, technology management is a highly competitive field, and you’ll need to stand out.
With an MBA under your belt, you’re already leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
A few of the highest paying and typical technology management jobs include:
- IT Director
- VP of IT
- Senior Project Manager, IT
Entrepreneurship
If you’ve always had the dream of owning and operating your own business, you have the mind of an entrepreneur.
However, delving into business for the first time can be intimidating and challenging without a degree.
When you take an MBA program, it’ll equip you with the skills necessary to establish a successful business.
In your program, it’ll direct you to the most beneficial connections, resources, and skills all entrepreneurs need.
Also, you’ll have the added benefit of working for yourself and fostering a healthy environment for your employees.
The salary for entrepreneurs can vary greatly, as some make $100,000 per year to millions.
General Business
Some students aren’t interested in having a specific specialty, which is where general business is ideal.
You can find a never-ending list of career opportunities in this field, whether it’s in operations or business development.
It’s also one of the most well-rounded concentrations that capitalize on your entire MBA education.
How Much Does an MBA Increase Your Salary?
Instead of focusing on the jobs, you can get with an MBA, it’s common for professionals to use them in their current field.
You won’t have to worry about switching from finance to marketing or from marketing to IT to put your degree to use.
With your new degree, you’ll have the perfect bargaining chip to improve your standing in a company.
It’s important to note that spending the time and money to get an MBA can significantly improve your salary.
On average, employees can see an increase of 39% of their total salary from pre-MBA to post-MBA.
This value can also vary, depending on the industry you work in.
For example, consultants might earn $86,000 before their MBA and $132,000 after they graduate.
Discussing education with your employer to determine the benefits of obtaining a graduate degree is important.
You might find you’ll have access to far more monetary benefits than your non-MBA peers.
MBA Careers and Jobs: Final Thoughts
When researching MBA careers and jobs, there are plenty of essential facets to consider.
First, you’ll want to ensure your new degree will improve your quality of employment and pay.
It’s also essential to find a career in a field that shows consistent job growth over the years.
Knowing what your skills and education are worth will help you to expand your professional horizons.
Resources:
- Best GMAT Admission Consultants
- Most Affordable Online Universities
- Fastest Accelerated Online Degrees
- Cheapest Online MBA Programs
