A Complete Guide to Jobs for MBA Graduates
At the Kent State Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, our goal is to prepare students for the working world after they graduate. Upon completing our MBA program, graduates will showcase expertise in critical thinking, digital technology, communication, teamwork, and ethical management.
Earning your MBA can enhance your career opportunities, increase compensation, and may even lead to job promotions. While there are various benefits of graduating with your MBA, one key aspect is the versatility it provides. New doors open when it comes to jobs for MBA graduates, as opportunities can be found anywhere from start-ups to major corporations. In the end, it all comes down to what type of job you are looking for after completing the MBA.
Skills to Help You Excel in MBA Jobs
Employers are always searching for essential skill sets when hiring for roles within MBA career paths. While the MBA program prepares students to thrive in their future MBA job opportunities, it is vital to understand which skills you want to emphasize in your interview. Some of the skills that make a successful MBA job candidate include:
- Communication – There is an emphasis on building relationships when discussing MBA jobs, and it is important to understand how to communicate to many different types of people to get your ideas across. Expressing yourself clearly and concisely is a major factor in achieving success in any industry.
- Flexibility – In certain MBA career paths, you may find yourself with a variety of responsibilities, and the need to wear different hats. The ability to quickly switch projects and understand time management is key.
- Strategic thinking – Having a leadership role comes with the responsibility of having to make big decisions. This skill consists of taking the time to research and reflect before taking any course of action.
- Entrepreneurial mindset – To truly stand out in your MBA career, you will want to strive for ways to be ahead of the curve. The ability to spot a gap in the market and develop fresh ideas to drive business is vital.
- Leadership – In MBA career paths, leadership is valued as it is needed to help any team achieve a common goal. With strong skills in place, you will supervise, manage, and motivate your teammates, making you a reliable member of the company.
MBA Careers You Could Pursue
Jobs for MBA graduates span diverse industries, opening up opportunities to work in varied fields you may be interested in. While the options are virtually endless, here is a list of seven possible MBA jobs:
1. Business development manager
While this job goes by several titles such as business development consultant or sales development executive, the core concepts remain the same. Your purpose in this role is to grow the company by identifying and seizing new revenue opportunities.
2. Finance manager
When looking for MBA careers that focus on numbers and analytics, this is a great option. Having a firm grasp of accounting practices is a major part of this role, as well as using financial insights to guide business decisions.
3. Marketing manager
When it comes to jobs after the MBA, this particular role uses key skills you utilized during your program, such as planning, budgeting, and, of course, leadership.
4. Human resources manager
Human resources managers are involved with recruitment, training, career development, compensation, employee relations, and more. This job strategizes the effective management of employees within an organization.
5. Health services manager
This role is one of many MBA job opportunities in the healthcare field. The position works with patients, medical professionals, and insurance agents, managing the finances and budget of a healthcare facility. In addition, those in this role hire, train, and supervise employees.
6. IT manager
As an IT manager, your responsibilities include ensuring computer systems meet a company’s needs, upgrading technology, and keeping systems secure.
7. Management consultant
This role helps assist companies facing major obstacles or those at a critical point in their development. Day-to-day duties include working with company leadership and determining ways to improve efficiency, profitability, technology, and more.
All of these fields and career paths, when paired with your MBA degree, create a combination for success. These MBA careers will allow you to move forward financially, personally, and professionally.
MBA Career Path FAQs
In what ways will getting an MBA help my career?
MBAs provide a wealth of advantages to both recent graduates and those who have already entered the workforce. For instance, MBAs can help you to hone your “soft skills” alongside your hard skills, letting you develop heightened communication and organization tactics that can aid you in your work and bring about promotions.
You will also acquire key knowledge about the business world and where technology and best practices are heading, while also attaining a better understanding of the global marketplace. Along with this, you will be able to expand your networking opportunities and position yourself well for a host of post-MBA jobs.
What salaries are possible in jobs for MBA graduates?
This will depend on a number of factors, including the industry you are in or are pursuing, where you will be located, and more. At organizations where you are already employed, obtaining an MBA can be the difference in getting promotions you have been seeking. MBAs also make you a viable candidate for external opportunities as well.
For some actual numbers, though, as MBA.com reports, six-figure salaries for MBA careers are quite attainable, even for recent graduates.
Should I have working experience before beginning an MBA program?
While not required, having a few years of professional experience will make you a more viable candidate for an MBA as it allows you to take your experience from a real-world setting and enhance it with what you will be learning in the classroom. You will then be well positioned for a variety of post-MBA jobs where you can apply your newfound knowledge and skills.
Can I change industries after finishing an MBA?
Yes! There are diverse jobs for MBA graduates that may not have been open to them prior to completing a program, and this is often seen as one of the primary benefits of an MBA. Many professionals use their MBA degree to transition to a new field of work, or to seek out a role in a current organization that they previously might not have been qualified for.
Does Kent State offer any business certificates to enhance my MBA?
We do! Our Quantitative Business Management Certificate and Leadership and Management Certificate are stackable and offer 20 of the 28 credits required to complete the MBA. Other graduate certificates you can pursue include:
- Accounting Analytics Certificate
- Advanced Accounting Certificate
- Business Analytics Certificate
- Financial Management Certificate
- Human Resource Management Certificate
- International Business Certificate
- Leading Through Challenge Certificate
All of these certificates can expand your skills and make you a more attractive applicant for various MBA career paths.
Kent State Helps Find Jobs for MBA Graduates
The MBA program at Kent State provides students with the education needed to be successful in future MBA jobs, and we also supply unique opportunities to explore MBA career paths outside of the classroom. Some of these opportunities include:
- Study abroad – Whether you are considering a short-term trip or a full semester abroad, Kent State allows you to explore how business operates in a global economy. On these trips, you will receive exposure to MBA job opportunities in places such as Ireland, France, India, Switzerland, and Brazil.
- Career Services Office – The purpose of the Career Services Office is to provide support and resources in every aspect of the career development process. We have a professional development course built into the MBA program that helps guide the process of finding jobs for MBA graduates. Internships and career fairs are also available to students wanting to discover jobs after the MBA degree is earned.
- Case competitions – These competitions help showcase issues that businesses face today. The process of researching, evaluating, and presenting helps to refine skills, and allows students to showcase their talent to experienced business leaders.
Our MBA program is offered both fully online and in-person to ensure that you are able to advance your skill set at the pace and schedule you prefer.
Learn About How Kent State Prepares You for MBA Careers
To discover additional insights on MBA career paths or to learn more about how to take your skill set to a new level with our MBA program, request information or apply today!