Wherever you find yourself on the career ladder, whether you are looking to improve your chances for promotion and professional development, or you have just completed your undergraduate degree and wish to improve your chances of finding your first job, an MBA course should be at the top of your list of study programmes to consider.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA), one of the most popular degrees around the world, can open many doors for you, regardless of your academic and professional background. It is a well-known fact that MBA graduates are in great demand and will remain so for years to come. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) in its 2015 report highlights the fact that, in its poll of employers, 75% were looking to hire MBA graduates.
The MBA is designed to start, or enhance, careers in the wider fields of business and management. It is also a very useful tool for graduates planning to start their own business. MBA graduates are expected to have leadership qualities and a strategic approach to decision making, and to be flexible enough to adapt to changing business environments. An MBA can offer different specialisation areas, from general management, finance, and marketing, to change management, information technology and consulting.
The following are just a few of many employment possibilities that an MBA graduate can choose from.
Management Consultant
As a professional with heightened business knowledge, who is ‘outside’ the company, the Management Consultant can identify challenging practices and problem areas that are keeping the client company from realising its potential or reaching its goals. The Management Consultant, (who can work for a large firm, or be self-employed), is an advisor to the client company’s management, who detects and highlights problems and presents solutions, makes projections and helps in decision making. Having an MBA is not only advisable but essential for this high-level job, which can be a flexible choice of career for MBA graduates, with a high earning potential and an expected steady growth in demand in the next decade.
Financial Manager
For MBA graduates who specialise in finance management the prospects of employment are very good. Every successful business needs a well-qualified and knowledgeable professional to handle its finances. The day to day transactions, payments and accounting may be the job of the accounts department, but the Financial Manager has ultimate responsibility for designing and overseeing budgets, for providing financial analysis data, for preparing financial forecasts and for assisting the general manager in achieving the company’s financial goals. A good Financial Manager is highly valued by general managers and stockholders and is always in demand, ensuring high earnings.
Financial Advisor
MBA graduates looking for a more flexible and independent way to work in the Finance sector can choose to become Financial Advisors, catering more to the needs of individuals rather than businesses. Financial Advisors single out good investment opportunities for their clients, help them plan for their children’s education, for their retirement, or for increasing their wealth and assets. Experienced Financial Advisors, whether they work for a large financial institution, or are self -employed, can command considerable fees for their work. The more complicated the financial world becomes, the more Financial Advisors can expect to be in demand.
Investment Banker
MBA graduates can be employed by large banks or financial corporations as investment bankers, to advise client companies on how to invest and increase their capital. In acquisitions and mergers of companies, Investment Bankers have the responsibility to oversee the whole procedure, checking all transactions and ensuring all legal rules and regulations are adhered to every step of the way. Investment Bankers usually start with high earnings and can expect to earn even more, as their professional reputation rises. This is an MBA career path that will certainly be in demand in the near future.
Marketing Manager
An MBA can be the pathway to a career as Marketing Manager. With a complex mesh of online and offline channels, that reach far beyond national borders, a Marketing Manager is required to analyse and understand marketing trends and use them to the company’s advantage. The general purpose of the Marketing Manager within a company is to increase brand awareness and sales, by leading the marketing team in the planning and execution of marketing plans and campaigns, by conducting market research and analysing results. The ultimate goal is the increase of the company’s market share and the achievement of its long term strategic goals. The demand for marketing managers is expected to rise in the next years.
Operations Manager
The MBA degree can be a useful preparation for the position of Operations Manager. Generally seen as a multi-tasker, who must have knowledge about all departments and processes, the Operations Manager is responsible for the smooth daily operation of the company, for negotiating deals and contracts, for dealing with purchases and inventory, even for selecting and hiring personnel in some cases. Operations Managers oversee the flow of information between departments and handle internal misunderstandings or mishaps. An MBA degree is a good preparation for this highly demanding position. Operations Managers are expected to be in increasing demand by large companies and multinational corporations in the years to come.
If you would like to receive more information about the MBA programmes available through UNICAF, please visit https://www.unicaf.org/scholarships/partners-programmes/
