An MBA is one of the most valuable qualifications you can have in the business world. This is a well-rounded programme that gives students a solid grounding in business concepts, while developing critical skills. Many employers look for MBA graduates when choosing new hires or promoting current employees.
Let’s take a look at the top jobs for MBA graduates and how you can pursue these rewarding and in-demand roles.
Top 6 Jobs for MBA Graduates in 2024
With an MBA on your resume, you can access a wide range of exciting career opportunities. Here are some of the most exciting, rewarding, and in-demand roles for MBA graduates.
Information Systems Manager
Information Systems Managers are some of the best-paid MBA graduates, with an average salary of $153,158 per year in the US, according to Glassdoor.
This role generally involves overseeing IT projects, setting the company’s technology goals, as well as introducing and maintaining the infrastructure necessary to meet those goals.
To secure a role as an Information Systems Manager, you’ll typically need an undergraduate qualification in computer science or a similar field and an MBA or related master’s degree.
Risk Manager
The demand for risk managers is expected to grow in the coming years, as the business world becomes ever more complex and companies face increasingly diverse risks. The BBC reported on the high demand for risk management experts worldwide, citing a predicted increase in the risk management industry from $7.4 billion in 2019 to $28.9 billion by 2027.
Risk Management roles are centred around identifying and analysing the risks which may apply to a company or a particular project. Through this analysis, a risk manager will develop strategies and controls to manage these risks to help ensure smooth business operations and help the company to meet its goals.
This pivotal role can be highly rewarding for anyone who likes solving problems and improving company outcomes. Currently, the average base salary for risk managers in the US is $100,379, according to Indeed.
Some, though not all, positions in risk management require a master’s degree as a minimum requirement. Very few roles ask for a doctorate. However, as more and more candidates are boasting graduate qualifications, an MBA from a reputed business school will be invaluable in this competitive field.
Human Resources Manager
Although an MBA may not necessarily be required to land a job as an HR Manager, this qualification can be advantageous, and employers are increasingly looking for graduate qualifications when filling these positions.
Having an MBA coupled with an undergraduate degree in human resources, business, psychology, or communications will certainly put you ahead of the pack.
Human Resources Managers are generally responsible for recruiting, training, management support, conflict resolution, and disciplinary action, acting as the link between managers and employees.
This can be a highly satisfying role, as HR Managers work right at the centre of their company. Employees are the lifeblood of any organisation, and so the work of ensuring they are productive and content is critical to the business’s success. The role is also well paid: HR Managers in the US have a median annual salary of $130,000.
Ecommerce Entrepreneur
The booming ecommerce sector — global online retail sales are predicted to total $6.51 trillion in 2023 — continues to offer plenty of exciting opportunities for MBA graduates. While you may prefer to work for an established company, launching your own ecommerce venture is arguably one of the most exciting and rewarding things you could do.
Running your own business involves a great deal of hard work, not to mention risk. However, the exciting opportunities offered by the modern ecommerce sector mean the potential for far greater returns than you’re likely to get from working for someone else.
An MBA is the perfect preparation for this challenging role, from the knowledge of business strategy and market theories you’ll learn, to the soft skills you’ll develop.
Furthermore, the connections you make during your studies can help set your new venture up for success. Your fellow students could very well become future suppliers, collaborators, customers, or even business partners!
Financial Manager
Financial Managers are well-paid and in demand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for US Financial Managers is $131,710 per year and roles are set to grow by 17% from 2021-31, much faster than the average predicted growth across all professions.
Financial Managers may work for financial institutions, banks, and investment firms, and are responsible for overseeing financial processes and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
Financial Managers may also work for corporations in other sectors, with responsibility for the financial aspect of the company’s operations.
An MBA or related master’s degree is the minimum requirement for many Financial Manager roles, especially in larger companies. Along with this qualification, you’ll usually need to have at least five years of experience in the finance industry or a finance-related role.
Management Consultant
Consulting is another excellent option for MBA graduates. Management consultants work with companies, providing expert advice on a range of subjects related to management, to help them improve their performance and troubleshoot issues. Some consultants work for third-party companies, while others are self-employed as individual contractors. Management Consultants in Germany have an average base salary of €62,196 per year, compared to $138,250 in the USA.
Consultants enjoy the freedom of working independently, along with diverse, challenging, and rewarding projects. No two days at work are the same as a management consultant.
To work as a successful consultant, you’ll typically need an MBA from a reputed business school combined with experience and expertise in a particular sub-field of business.
Take Your Career to the Next Level with a Recognised MBA
Are you interested in pursuing one of these top jobs for MBA graduates? A world-class MBA from EDHEC will set you to transform your career, whether you want to pursue higher-level positions within your current field or transition to another sector.
