Types of jobs after MBA in Marketing, Finance, Operations, Technology
Why do thousands of students and professionals seek an MBA degree? According to GMAC’s prospective student surveys each year, applicants cite enrichment of their career potential, and thus life, and increase in income as the primary reasons.
Such as the GMAC survey from 2023, 79% of prospective students shared their desire for better career opportunities through development of their professional abilities and 15% pointed their toes towards better income and lifestyle.
In the recent post-pandemic world, two out of three companies as surveyed by GMAC’s Corporate Recruiter report of 2022 have expressed a desire in majority (67% of the companies surveyed) to expand and grow.
Over 90% of corporates who participated in this survey also reported a confirmed intention of hiring MBAs. And when these desires meet the hungry and highly potential MBA graduates, employment and career success, along with corporate growth, follows.
MBA, with its specialisations in multiple industries, thus brings with it not only the training to spell success but also the recognition among corporations to get a firm footing at the very start.
In this article, we take a quick look at the career options after an MBA with specializations in Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Technology.
- What are the industries that offer rewarding careers to these MBAs?
- What are the job descriptions and salaries?
- What are the popular companies?
Also read Jobs you can get with a business administration degree
Read on for interesting glimpses of some engaging job avenues and short lists of the world’s best schools.
Types of jobs after MBA in Marketing
Better marketing is the panacea that companies have prescribed for themselves to ward off the ills of recession. Therefore, MBAs from the Marketing stream are even more sought after than they were in good times earlier.
Top Industries for Marketing
A buffet of various jobs in industries such as retail, banking, hospitality, media, information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITES), and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) is lavishly spread before them.
Job Titles and Job Description in Marketing
| Job Title | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | A sales manager sets sales targets and monitors distribution and customer service. | $130,000 |
| Marketing Manager | A marketing manager evolves marketing strategy but also focuses on retaining customers. | $135,000 |
| Product Manager | A product manager manages the delivery of products to customers and is also in charge of the profitability and market growth of products. | $118,000 |
| Market Research Analyst | A market research analyst devises methods of data collection, analyses data, conveys the data to the business development team, and helps in evolving marketing strategies. | $70,000 |
| Media Planner | A media planner selects the means of advertising products and helps the marketing team meet targets. | $70,000 |
| Internet Marketing Manager / Digital Marketing | An Internet/online marketing manager is responsible for a wide range of web marketing avenues such as social media marketing, pay per click marketing, search engine optimization, and website content. | $130,000 |
| Customer Relations Manager | A customer relations manager helps maintain a healthy profitable relationship with customers that may include end of product clientele or the key stakeholders of the next stage of product development within the corporation. | $60,000 |
| Public Relations Manager | A Public Relations Manager handles the business or client image through marketing their brands favorably. | $120,000 |
Sources: Salary.com, Indeed, Glassdoor, US News & World Report
Salaries and companies after MBA in Marketing
Career progress and salary of MBAs in Marketing depend on their capacity to innovate. For example, an inventive marketing manager may rise through the ranks to become product development manager and even vice president of marketing or CEO.
In the US, the starting annual salary for an MBA in Marketing may be around $39,000 and may go up to $186,000 depending on the company and position. Popular companies in the US include Amazon, IBM, L’Oreal, and PepsiCo.
The annual salary in India may range from Rs. 1.51 lakh to Rs. 20.43 lakh. Popular companies include HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Vodafone, and Amazon, according to Payscale.
Top business schools for MBA in Marketing
Among the top schools/universities in the world for MBA in Marketing, according to a listing in the QS Top MBA website, are Northwestern University (Kellogg), Harvard Business School (HBS), Wharton School, Stanford University, University of Michigan Ross, Duke Fuqua, Chicago Booth (all in the US), INSEAD (France, Singapore), IE Business School (Spain), London Business School, Cambridge University (UK), and the IIMs in Ahmedabad and Bangalore.
Read more on the best MBA programs in Marketing.
Types of jobs after MBA in Finance
An MBA in Finance is a coveted degree as a range of career options are available before graduates. Probably, this is because the degree program provides an opportunity to the student to specialize in various fields such as international finance, investment management, taxation, tax planning, financial statement reporting and analysis, and insurance management.
Top Industries for Finance
The magic words “finance” and “management” open up career opportunities in various sectors including banking and financial services, investment banking, management consulting, insurance, wealth management, asset finance, and hedge fund management.
Corporate finance is about ensuring that funds are available for a company’s business activities. Finance professionals study and forecast economic trends, balance risk and profitability, analyze company reports and suggest improvements, take steps to maximize stock value, manage funds by choosing investment portfolios, and apply the principles of financial risk management.
Job Titles and Job Description in Finance
| Job Title | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager / Analyst | Analyse data to help make financial decisions in companies | $130,000 |
| Credit Analyst | Assess financial standing of corporations for credit applications | $80,000 |
| Accounting Manager | Monitor finance and budget decisions in companies | $115,000 |
| Risk and Insurance Manager | Assess risks in financial decisions and investments in corporations | $130,000 |
| Treasurer | Responsible for financial budget, fundraising and capital growth options in organizations | $180,000 |
| Finance Manager | Provide financial advice on budgeting and operations of corporations | $100,000 |
| Cash Manager | Monitor cash flow and expenditure | $100,000 |
| Chief Financial Officer | Responsible for monitoring company’s revenue and expenditure | $400,000 |
| VP Finance | Provide direction to raise company profits | $200,000 |
| Finance Director | Responsible for a company’s entire financial well being | $200,000 |
Sources: Salary.com, Glassdoor, Indeed
Salaries and companies after MBA in Finance
The annual salary range in the US is $48,000 to $170,000. Popular companies include J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., Ernst & Young, Hewlett Packard, Citibank and General Electric.
In India, an MBA in Finance from the IIMs may command packages of Rs. 10-15 lakh a year. Financial analysts earn about Rs. 4 lakh a year at the start, credit analysts Rs. 5-6 lakh at the start to Rs. 20-30 lakh in senior-level posts, and management consultants Rs. 5-8 lakh and, in a few years, Rs. 10-15 lakh.
Top business schools for MBA in Finance
Among the top schools/universities in the world for MBA in Marketing, according to the QS Top MBA website, are Wharton School, HBS, Stern School of Business, Columbia Business School, Stanford University, NYU Stern, Chicago Booth, MIT, Cornell Johnson (all in US), London Business School (UK), Oxford Said (UK), INSEAD (France, Singapore), IE Business School (Spain), and the IIMs in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta.
Read more about the top MBA programs in finance.
Types of jobs after MBA in Operations
Operations management is becoming more and more popular among b-school aspirants, and the number of MBAs in this specialization is going up. So is the competition for jobs.
In this scenario, MBAs in Operations can stand out from among job aspirants by learning about Six Sigma and Lean methodologies, says a Purdue University official quoted in a website article.
Top Industries for Operations
Operations management originated in the manufacturing industry with Henry Ford’s assembly line for automobile manufacturing. Today, it is a valued specialization across all industries, including telecom, IT, and e-commerce.
Job Titles and Job Description in Operations
As the name suggests, operations managers ensure the smooth processes and smooth implementation of projects. MBAs in Operations are usually hired for looking after responsibilities related to supply chain, logistics, vendor, and inventory management, sales operations, and production management. They are also given charge of delivery, fulfilment, and returns.
– A day in the life of an operations manager
| Job Title | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain Manager | Monitor and manage operations and logistics | $120,000 |
| Logistics Manager | Responsible for maintaining efficiency and quality of supply chain | $120,000 |
| Inventory Control Manager | Responsible for maintaining inventory and oversee stocking | $80,000 |
| Project and Operations Manager | Responsible for planning projects and meeting client requirements | $110,000 |
Sources: Salary.com, Glassdoor
Salaries and companies after MBA in Operations
The average annual salary of operations managers in the US ranges from $52,000 for operations managers to $176,000 for VP, operations.
In India, operations managers are offered a salary of Rs. 3-15 lakh per annum. Popular companies in India include Amazon, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Airtel, TVS Motor Company, and Deloitte.
Top business schools for MBA in Operations
Among the top schools/universities in the world for MBA in Operations, according to the QS Top MBA website, are MIT Sloan School of Management, Michigan State Broad, Arizona State Carey, Penn State Smeal (all in the US), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Warwick Business School (UK), INSEAD (France, Singapore), IE Business School (Spain), Imperial College Business School (UK), HEC Montreal (Canada), IMD (Switzerland), Chicago Booth School (UK campus), IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and ISB (India).
Types of jobs after MBA in Technology
An MBA in Technology can pursue a gainful career in many industries. All technology-based companies use the services of technology managers, many of whom have MBAs.
Top Industries for Technology
With experience, MBAs in Technology go on to become information systems managers, systems analysts, and chief technology officers.
Job Titles and Job Description in Technology
An MBA program in Technology usually covers topics such as accounting, global economics, and financial management. In many schools, the program covers emerging technologies and sustainability and even biotechnology and clinical technology.
Technology managers keep up with fast-changing technology developments and innovations. They understand products and services and what new ones that will thrive in the market.
MBAs in IT obtain jobs titles such as project manager, business development executive/manager, product manager, marketing manager, etc.
Non-IT Job titles include technical program manager, senior product manager, and technical product manager.
Here are some technology sector IT specific jobs for MBAs.
| Job Title | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Analytics Manager | Perform data analysis to make data driven business decisions | $120,000 |
| System Manager | Oversee technology needs of a company | $110,000 |
| Data Processing Manager | Monitor activities related to data analysis and information systems | $80,000 |
| Business Analyst | Analyse data to gain understanding of business needs, working with stakeholders and problem solving for overall company’s performance growth | $90,000 |
| IT Manager / Consultant | Use technological innovations to resolve business problems | $160,000 |
Sources: Glassdoor, US News & World Report, Indeed and Salary.com
Salaries and companies after MBA in Technology
Annual salaries in the US range between $68,000 for project analyst (IT) and $130,000 for IT director. IBM, BAE Systems, United Technologies Corporation, Lowe’s Companies, and Atmel Corporation are among popular companies.
In India, salaries for MBAs in Technology start from Rs. 2 lakh for a fresher and go on to Rs. 12 lakh per annum in a few years. Popular companies include Caterpillar, L&T, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Accenture, Capgemini, SAP, HP, and Cognizant.
Top business schools for MBA in Technology
Among the top schools in the world for MBA in Technology are MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, Haas School of Business, HBS, Northwestern Kellogg, Michigan Ross, UCLA Anderson, Wharton (all in US).
Top schools/universities in the world for MBA in IT include Cambridge Judge (UK), Oxford Said (UK), IE Business School (Spain), INSEAD (France, Singapore), London Business School (UK), IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta.
Here’s more on the top MBA programs in Technology.
Understand how recruitment works at the top international business schools.
Read these related articles:
– List of Careers
– List of Industries
References: Payscale for salary stats, QS for MBA rankings