If you want to make the most of your college experience and progress in your career or have been thinking about taking on a new challenge in a slightly different area, then getting an MBA (Master in Business Administration) could be the key to unlock this new path for you.
Most MBAs will require you to have at least two years of work experience before studying as they are quite advanced qualifications. They can help you progress into management and higher-level roles within your organization more quickly.
To give you an idea of the career paths available after completing an MBA we’ve listed 5 below.
1. Account Executive
Account Executives aren’t usually required to have an MBA, however, having this qualification can definitely help set you apart from other applicants.
Your responsibility as an Account Executive is to work with clients to ensure they are getting the most value from the service or product. Mixed in with this is a heavy focus on sales. You’ll usually have monthly targets you’ll need to hit either with new clients or existing ones.
Cold calling, email, presentations & breakfast meetings will form part of your regular daily experience. As an Account Executive, your ability to develop trust & a quick bond with your clients will result in more sales & you meeting your targets. Often you’ll have a base salary + commission if your targets are met.
2. Operations Manager
An operations manager ensures the operations of the company are running smoothly & efficiently. This role is about linking all of the departments and ensuring each is operating at its best, and together. An Operations Manager ensures the right talent is attracted to the company & the right measures are in place to keep that talent.
They will also be reviewing the budgets & ensuring that legal documentation is up to date. Operations Managers are in discussion with the board and the leadership team of the company. It is an important role with a lot of responsibility.
3. Finance Manager
The Finance Manager will be responsible for cash flow & ensuring that all debts are paid by the company. They will set the budgets & work with the leadership team to set targets so the company stays on track and is making a profit. Finance Managers carry out risk assessments and trend reports so the company can navigate through tough periods. They will also need to make payments and ensure the money gets to where it needs to be within the company at the right time.
4. Entrepreneur
Becoming an entrepreneur is now a fully accepted career path. When you think of an entrepreneur you might immediately think of Richard Branson or Elon Musk, however, there are different types of entrepreneurs. Most people choose this path because they want to create an element of freedom in their life, not because they want to create an empire. You could open up a small shop or cafe, or start a boutique line of clothing.
You could become a beauty therapist and work from home, or you could start a freelancing business. You could also go down the startup route which are businesses that are grown quickly over a short period, usually with some financial backing.
An MBA is very useful for all types of entrepreneurs as it equips you with the main skills you will need to manage a business whether it is big or small. You can even study from home and get an MBA from a Business School. Schools like EU Business are a great example of this. They will leave you with an accredited qualification all from the comforts of your own home. It is particularly useful if you want to become a startup entrepreneur as these types of businesses are more complex to run and require a varied skill set.
4. Business Development Manager
The Business Development Manager is responsible for increasing sales in the business through developing partnerships & also directly speaking with and marketing to new clients. They are also usually the first contact for new clients before they are passed onto an Account Manager who then takes the relationship forward. A Business Development Manager is in the driving seat creating strategies which the company can use to increase sales.
5. Marketing Manager
The Marketing Manager is responsible for all marketing activities. Marketing channels bring in leads that are then converted into sales. You’ll be responsible for online & offline marketing if appropriate as well as managing the budget and reporting on results. You will likely work with agencies as well as team members to put your plans into action. The Marketing Manager forms part of the leadership team and is an important & vital member of the company.
All of these careers have great opportunities for further progression and demand high salaries. Studying an MBA is a fantastic option for those who want to progress their career in the corporate or startup world quickly.
For more great education and career tips, check out the other blogs on Career Geek.
