Articles

4 Jobs That Absolutely Require An Mba

2010-04-19

The stereotype is that anyone with a master's degree in business administration (heretofore referred to as an MBA) aspires to - or will actually go on to - become the CEO (chief executive officer) of a large company. While a CEO is definitely a career option for which an MBA is indispensable, one must not downplay the variety of choices an MBA graduate has post-graduation. Marketing directors, portfolio managers, upper level managers, and many others are positions for which an MBA is a requirement. But this is merely scratching the surface of all the doors an MBA might open for you.

Depending on the program, MBA colleges may base admissions on different criteria. MBA admissions are usually based on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), but some schools choose to test applicants with the Graduate Record Examination (GME). Acing an admissions test won't be enough, however, as work experience is also a factor. Additionally, letters of recommendation will probably help, as will personal interviews, academic transcripts and essays. Besides academic and professional exploits, schools are also ever on the lookout for diversification. A good ratio of local and international, as well as male and female students is always highly sought after. Finally, extracurricular activities and community service impress MBA admissions departments.

But which MBA college should one go to? This is a good question. Here is where MBA rankings come into play. Such highly esteemed publications as the Financial Times, the Economist and the Wall Street Journal occasionally publish rankings of the best schools. Business Week even has a biennial issue devoted solely to the MBA rankings of programs. It would be wise, however, to look at such absolute rankings with a critical eye. After all, wouldn't the high or low ranking of MBA colleges become a self-fulfilling prophecy over time? How objective are the criteria used in ranking? Where do the numbers come from? In the end, a truly objective value judgment can only be made when a certain school is assessed according to the individual needs of any one student.

In conclusion: which jobs require an MBA? Besides high level management positions, being the CEO of a large corporation, portfolio managing or being a marketing director, the skills learned at an MBA college are useful in any number of fields. Nurses or teachers might find that the management abilities they've acquired during their master's program are just the ticket they needed to take that next step toward a higher (perhaps administrative) function. And let us not forget the ample opportunities the degree offers in economics, banking, financial management and accounting. An MBA is regarded as one of the most versatile degrees in existence for a reason!