What Can You Do With an MBA?

What can you do with an MBA degree? An MBA, or Master of Business Administration, is a graduate-level degree that can help you pursue a wide range of career opportunities. Unlike industry-specific graduate degrees which tend to dig primarily into one field, an MBA program takes a more generalized approach, encompassing a wider range of subjects and disciplines. If you’re still wondering, “What can I do with an MBA?” it’s reassuring to know that an MBA degree can be applied toward many different career options in the business world and beyond.

To further answer the question of what to do with an MBA and help you become more familiar with the careers you may want to pursue, here are some of the fields where an MBA degree can be applied, along with a brief explanation of what each entails.

Business administration is a career path for which MBA degree holders may find themselves readily suited, though it is by no means the only option. This discipline focuses on managing the day-to-day operations within a corporate setting. You may take on a management position to oversee employees, create processes, increase efficiency and help enable businesses to make well-informed decisions that can lead to growth.

Finance focuses on the management of money, particularly through the investment of business funds. A finance professional may be involved in evaluating new investments for a company and play a role in selecting projects and acquisitions that a company should pursue to make a positive return on investment.

Accounting involves tracking money that flows through a business. Accountants and people that work in the accounting departments of businesses not only manage funds, but also make sure that the business’ taxes are being paid properly. They may also perform internal audits that enable them to make recommendations regarding spending adjustments.

Marketing focuses on the branding or image of a company. Industry professionals, such as marketing managers and directors of marketing or advertising, work on creating initiatives that increase the awareness of a brand through strategies like search engine optimization (SEO) and advertising. They may also work on campaigns that are designed to foster greater brand loyalty by helping customers see the benefits of the brand or a product.

Consulting often involves individual consultants who work as advisors to high-level decision makers at companies. Those who work in the consulting field provide advice to executives, often using data to back up their recommendations, and provide insight.

Human resources focuses on managing the relationship a company has with its employees. HR professionals are also responsible for coordinating employee benefits, interviewing, hiring and running a company’s administrative functions. They are likely to interface regularly with operations managers at their companies.

Healthcare workers rely on business professionals to help keep their hospitals and care facilities running smoothly. Working on the business side of healthcare means making sure that practices are being carried out safely, efficiently and in compliance with state and federal regulatory guidelines, all while providing the highest level of patient care.

Information systems managers oversee teams of information technology professionals and help to ensure that the software, networks and computer systems of a business are running smoothly. They are also responsible for identifying when system upgrades are needed to improve business functionality.

Project managers oversee teams that work on specific projects and delegate tasks to the appropriate parties. In many cases, they are also in direct contact with the client for whom the project is being performed.

Because an MBA is a graduate-level degree, it has a number of potential benefits that a bachelor's degree may not offer. In particular, MBA graduates may be able to consider higher-level opportunities when it comes to jobs. In some cases, they may even be able to bypass entry-level jobs when they enter the workforce, depending on the position, employer and specific job requirements.

Other potential MBA benefits that you may experience include:

• The opportunity to further develop your leadership skills
• Networking with professionals in your field
• Getting up-to-date on industry trends and technology

If you're interested in pursuing a career in the field of business, an MBA degree can not only help you develop interpersonal and leadership skills, but can also help you stay abreast of current industry trends, acquaint you with technology used in the field and teach strategy, negotiation and other important business skills.

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_{²Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.}