Jobs You Can Pursue with an MBA

An MBA degree is a graduate-level degree that covers a wide range of business-related topics. Because of this, MBA degree holders may be able to consider pursuing careers in a variety of fields. While this list is by no means exhaustive, we've highlighted some jobs you can pursue with an MBA degree*:

1. Accountant – Accountants come in many forms, but in most instances, they provide clients with accurate records of their finances along with advice on how they can improve and manage them. Many people who wish to enter the accounting profession choose to earn an MBA with an Accounting Specialization instead of a general MBA.


2. Financial Manager – A financial manager works alongside executives and other management-level professionals to look after an organization's finances. Unlike accountants, who primarily deal with tracking and record keeping, financial managers work to make decisions about where money can be most effectively spent in order to improve a company’s bottom line.


3. Healthcare – Businesspeople who work in the healthcare industry help providers gain access to the tools they need to save lives. People with an MBA can work in hospital management or in other care facilities to help these organizations obtain the resources they need to help their patients.


4. Marketing – An MBA degree can help you develop many skills that are ready to be put to use in the world of marketing. As a marketing professional, you'll help a company develop a positive brand image through thoughtful combinations of advertising, organic search visibility and product offering or service choices.


5. IT Manager – IT managers combine technology skills with management capabilities in order to oversee an Information Technology team or department. They often also have some business skills that can help them determine how to best delegate tasks and add members to their teams as needed.


6. Sales Manager – Sales managers oversee the operations of a sales team at a business. They use communication, organization and interpersonal skills to manage the team and make direct sales to potential clients.


7. Human Resource Manager – Human resource managers, commonly called HR managers, work to ensure that a company provides a safe and productive workplace for all its employees. Human resource managers need to have excellent communication and conflict management skills in order to do their job and maintain the safety of everyone at a company.


8. Project Management – Project managers use a combination of several different skills in order to ensure that projects are being completed in a timely and financially responsible manner. They often play a role in helping choose which projects a company takes on and provide insight into what resources it has available to them.


9. Business Operations Manager – Business operations managers help to ensure that the day-to-day operations of a company are always running smoothly. They may make decisions regarding where company money should be allocated and help decide how many employees are needed in different departments.


10. Business Intelligence Analyst – Business intelligence analysts use available data to make predictions about various markets that inform the decisions that a company makes.


11. Manager – Managers delegate, collaborate, drive team directives and oversee staff to ensure they are being productive and that they’re using their time to impact a company in a positive way.

If you opt to amplify your MBA degree with a specialization, choosing one in an area that most closely aligns with your career goals is a good option. If you want to pursue a career in marketing, then an MBA with a Marketing Specialization can help you develop industry-related skills, while someone who wants to work as an accountant would be better served earning an MBA with an Accounting Specialization. While no MBA specialization in and of itself is better than any other, choosing one that is most in line with your professional goals can set you up to grow a more industry-focused skillset and develop greater insight into that discipline.