Business Administration

What Can You Do With an MBA in 2019?

What Can You Do With an MBA in 2019?
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Nedda Gilbert profile
Nedda Gilbert October 1, 2018

The MBA continues to be a career-catapulting degree for many future entrepreneurs and business leaders. However, the value of the degree and its return on investment depends on many factors. Ultimately, an MBA is only necessary — and worth your time and money — if it is aligned with your career goals.

MBA/Business Programs You Should Consider

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Are you looking to switch jobs or enter a new profession? Perhaps you feel outpaced by rapidly changing industries and constant innovation. Whatever your motivation for seeking an MBA, you will need to ask yourself what you hope to do with the degree. If earning a degree with staying power and relevance is at the top of your list, read on to learn some of today’s hottest career options for MBA graduates.

What’s New In 2019?

For the longest time, mainstream industry and established MBA recruiters have grabbed the lion’s share of MBA grads. These have included consumer goods companies like Clorox, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, Wall Street heavyweights like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, and consulting companies like McKinsey and Bain. But as the digital revolution has continued to transform the business landscape, new players — and even entirely new industries — have been emerging.

With this in mind, it’s not surprising that tech has become one of the most popular industries for MBA grads. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), the hottest new jobs for MBA hires are in the technology sector, particularly in Silicon Valley, and in the products and services industry. Given this explosion in tech, a new academic specialty has even emerged: financial technology (aka FinTech).

Another hot new pursuit for MBAs is in healthcare management. The world of medicine is shifting to a business model, so new roles are being created every day. Finally, other areas where MBA-holders are in-demand are marketing, operations, and data analytics positions.

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“Should I Get A MBA?”

The National Association of Colleges and Employers predicted an average starting salary for 2019 MBA graduates of $84,580—provided those graduates found jobs in computer science, engineering, science, or business. (source)

Students considering an MBA or graduate business degree can choose from varied career paths, including those focused on financial management, data analytics, market research, healthcare management, and operations management. The analytical skills and problem-solving techniques gained from graduate level business degrees are in high demand across business sectors. (source)

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Uncommon and Less Traditional Industries for MBAs

MBAs typically follow one of a few common paths (and expect those paths to be paved with riches). But this is not always the case. Wherever there is a business to run, or an enterprise to launch, there is a place for an MBA.

Here are some uncommon and interesting industries in which to utilize your MBA skills:

  • Guiding a tech start-up or entrepreneurial company
  • Nonprofit strategy
  • Entertainment
  • Real Estate
  • Sports Management
  • Pharmaceutical Industry (aka Pharma)
  • Museum Administration/The Arts

So — Is An MBA Worth It?

If advancing your skill set and emerging as valuable player in your workplace is important to you, earning your MBA may be a great career decision. And these days, MBA grads have more options than ever. Though the business landscape might look slightly different in 2019 than it did twenty or even ten years ago, it is filled with exciting opportunities and offers plenty of room for growth.

Questions or feedback? Email editor@noodle.com

About the Author

Ms. Nedda Gilbert is a seasoned clinical social worker, author, and educational consultant with 25 years of experience helping college-bound and graduate students find their ideal schools. She is a prolific author, including The Princeton Review Guide to the Best Business Schools and Essays that Made a Difference. Ms. Gilbert has been a guest writer for Forbes and a sought-after keynote speaker on college admissions. Previously, she played a crucial role at the Princeton Review Test Preparation Company and was Chairman of the Board of Graduate Philadelphia. Ms. Gilbert holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University and is a certified interdisciplinary collaborative family law professional in New Jersey.

About the Editor

Tom Meltzer spent over 20 years writing and teaching for The Princeton Review, where he was lead author of the company's popular guide to colleges, before joining Noodle.

To learn more about our editorial standards, you can click here.


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