The most popular graduate business degree is the Master of Business Administration (MBA), according to Poets & Quants. MBA programs are valued for their diverse curriculum, which often includes a blend of statistics, communications, finance, management and business law. An MBA is often a prerequisite for promotion to higher-paying leadership positions.
5 Top Jobs for MBAs in Florida
Investment bankers are primarily concerned with raising capital for businesses, governments or private entities. These bankers raise funds in a number of ways, including issuing debt, selling equity, selling stocks through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or selling bonds.
Investment bankers are often tasked with helping clients with mergers and acquisitions, and providing pertinent paperwork for all transactions that fall under governmental regulations. The average yearly salary for this field is $98,888, according to PayScale.
Financial advisors focus on individual clients and their personalized financial needs. Whether planning for college or retirement, financial advisors help clients map out their investments accordingly. In return, the advisors receive a fee or set percentage of profits. These professionals must have a sound understanding of regulatory laws as well as investments. The average salary for an entry-level financial advisor is $47,454 per year, according to PayScale.
Marketing managers guide their business’s short- and long-term marketing plans, often by overseeing a team of marketers. On any given day, the business leaders may plan advertising campaigns, conduct market research, or analyze the strengths and weaknesses of competition. The average annual pay for a marketing manager is $65,003, according to PayScale.
Management consultants help businesses increase efficiency, internal communication and overall performance by analyzing organizational problems and recommending solutions. Many management consultants are self-employed, allowing them to provide a more objective analysis of their client’s internal work culture. Management consultants earn an average of $87,328 per year, according to PayScale.
Operations research analysts use advanced techniques, such as data mining and statistical analysis, to solve complex problems. Examples of these problems might include identifying inefficiencies within the supply chain, tracking the effectiveness of a new medical procedure or culling predictive insights from big data. Annual pay for these analysts is $83,390, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Shifting Trends for MBA Grads
Recent MBA grads are finding more jobs outside finance and consulting, according to a 2018 article in U.S. News & World Report.
“Among respondents who got their degrees from 2016 to 2017, 23 percent work for products and services companies, 18 percent work in the technology sector, 13 percent work for finance and accounting firms and 12 percent work for consulting companies,” the article said.
“The specific roles MBA graduates take are shifting, too,” according to a study cited in the article. “Recent alumni are increasingly filling roles in marketing and sales (20 percent) and operations and logistics (13 percent). Although finance and accounting (20 percent) and general management (18 percent) positions still account for large shares of new graduates, their popularity has fallen.”
The business job market is continually evolving, necessitating a comprehensive education that delivers the tools to thrive, whether as a consultant or marketing specialist. The online MBA from the University of West Florida delivers a diverse curriculum that emphasizes applied learning through real-life scenarios. The degree is taught by UWF faculty and can be completed in as few as 14 months.
Learn more about the UWF online MBA program.
Sources:
American Marketing Association
U.S. News & World Report: Hot Jobs for MBA Grads
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Operations Research Analysts