What Business School Career Paths Should I Consider?

Although a graduate business degree paves the way for many traditional careers in areas like accounting, finance, business management, and marketing, the possibilities don’t end there.

What can you do with a graduate business degree? Thanks to the versatility of skills acquired in business school, graduate business degrees can help you pursue your ambitions and interests across a variety of less traditional career paths. And, with a number of booming industries competing for candidates with graduate business degrees, b-school can significantly enhance your career opportunities.

Below are some of the less traditional—yet promising—business school career paths that you may not have previously considered.

Careers in technology

With advancements in technology and its growing adoption among businesses, there are an increasing number of tech-centered jobs on the market. As major tech companies grow, they need expertise beyond their product managers and engineers; they need data-driven candidates with business know-how. With your business degree and these skills in hand, you’ll be in high demand in the tech sector.

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As evidence of that, research from the 2019 Corporate Recruiters Survey published by the Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) revealed that 80 percent of the tech employers interviewed planned to hire MBAs in 2019.

Add to that the high compensation and innovative culture at tech giants like Amazon and Google, it’s no surprise that technology has become the career path for many business school graduates over the past few years. But when you’re thinking of career options in tech, don’t stop at Silicon Valley. There are also a wealth of opportunities in emerging markets. From health care tech to artificial intelligence, the evolution of technology has created a surge of opportunity for professionals with business degrees across industries around the globe.

Careers in sustainability

In recent years, companies from Patagonia to Autodesk and beyond have started incorporating sustainability into their operations, and business schools are taking note. Now more than ever, business schools (particularly in Nordic countries) are “going green” and offering programs with a sustainability focus. As the need to protect dwindling resources has grown, companies are looking to create and implement clean energy solutions and to be successful, these companies need trained business professionals to manage their operations, finances, and sustainability initiatives.

Not satisfied with your entry-level business job? An MBA can catapult you into a career with social impact.

Careers in entertainment

When you think of business-related careers, you typically think of Wall Street, not Hollywood. However, entertainment industries including sports and fashion seek out business graduates. With the analytical background that your business degree provides, you can be an asset to these industries, analyzing and forecasting consumer trends. And just like any other industry, these creative entertainment industries need business-minded professionals to manage their finances and marketing campaigns.

Careers in entrepreneurship

If you have entrepreneurial aspirations, and you’re looking to pave your own way, a graduate business degree can give you the practical business skills you need to succeed. In fact, 1 in 4 b-school candidates are pursuing graduate school to develop the skills they’ll need to run their own businesses. And while a business degree isn’t required when you’re your own boss, it’s worth considering. B-school training will help you develop your business acumen, so you’re successful once you enter the real world.

Business degree jobs after graduate school

A business course here or there is beneficial to your growth. However, research shows that taking the plunge and pursuing an actual graduate business degree pays off. Across all industries, nearly 9 in 10 employers (86%) agree that hiring recent business school graduates creates value for their companies. So, what are you waiting for?

With a graduate business degree, the career opportunities are endless—it’s just a matter of finding the program that best suits your career aspirations. Wondering what other careers a business degree can facilitate? Check out our interactive career widget for more examples of less traditional b-school career paths.

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