Unconventional job roles after an MBA

From entrepreneurial opportunities to lucrative career options, pursuing an MBA offers professionals the right set of circumstances where they can grow and thrive. It also offers proficiency in the advanced business abilities required to excel in administrative and managerial roles. The demand for an MBA can be highlighted by a report that states a staggering 92% of business recruiters indicate a strong intention to acquire new MBA graduates.

The job market has evolved due to rapid developments, resulting in the rise of unconventional roles. To follow strong job opportunities or have a bigger social impact, degree holders look for non-traditional MBA job options. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates job growth for social and community services managers at 17% and for health services managers at 32% between 2019 and 2029. There are many emerging roles after an MBA. Let’s explore unique and unconventional job opportunities post-MBA in detail.

Entrepreneurship and start-up ventures

Besides executives and managerial opportunities, having an MBA degree opens a door for you to launch and manage your start-up. An MBA program gives you the thorough business education and skill set you need to successfully navigate the complex realm of business processes. Entrepreneurial opportunities after MBA also offer access to numerous traditional and non-traditional career opportunities.

MBA graduates can find entrepreneurial opportunities within established companies by building sustainable business models, effective marketing and communication strategies, efficient resource management, and the ability to expand their ventures. It is achieved by utilizing their understanding of finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.

Nike, co-founded by Phil Knight, was effectively taken to new heights and elevated to a very prestigious status. Even if Knight had a natural gift for business, we can’t ignore the fact that he graduated with an MBA from Stanford Business School, where he realized he was a true entrepreneur.

Top Emerging Roles after MBA in 2024

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Corporate ocial Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability roles

Environmental issues, such as climate change, are a major concern in our daily lives. More companies than ever are searching for professionals to assist them in managing their environmental and sustainable initiatives. Understanding sustainability’s social, economic, and environmental facets, as well as how they relate to corporate objectives, is made possible by an MBA. This information supports your capacity to make business cases for sustainability and promote long-term organizational transformation.

Digital Marketing Strategist

An expert who directs a business in organizing and launching marketing initiatives is known as a digital marketing strategist. With internet shopping becoming more and more prevalent, recent MBA grads may choose to consider opportunities in digital marketing or online retail. Expertise in online advertising, customer analytics, digital strategy, and e-commerce operations is highly regarded. For businesses working in the digital sphere, this unconventional route involves using technology, data analytics, and online platforms to increase revenue growth, consumer engagement, and brand recognition.

Chief Happiness Officer (CHO) and Employee Well-being Roles

This is one of the unique MBA career paths that MBA graduates can opt for. A chief happiness officer (CHO) typically works in the human resources (HR) division, offering managers and staff consultation and guidance. To create work environments where employees feel content and joyful and to address mental health and employee engagement, CHOs often work in collaboration with other members of the HR team, including managers, employee relations managers, and HR generalists. A CHO looks more closely at the psychological and behavioral components of work to identify strategies and actions that improve worker satisfaction.

Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Consultant

Professionals with backgrounds in business intelligence and data analytics are in more demand in the big data era. Strong data analysis abilities enable MBA graduates to work in a variety of industries as analysts, business analysts, or data scientists. MBA graduates may support data-driven decision-making, acquire insightful knowledge, and promote strategic growth inside firms using their analytical abilities and business acumen. The opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the data revolution across industries is provided by this unconventional career path. This makes data analytics and business intelligence stand strong as one of the most specialized industries for MBA grads.

Innovation Manager

The responsibility of innovation managers includes establishing an innovative culture in companies. This is one of the unique MBA career paths that MBA graduates can follow. The innovation managers collaborate with other departments to identify problem areas and create plans of action to boost output and efficiency. Innovation managers identify and apply cutting-edge technology, drive organizational transformation and growth through innovation, and assist in forming the culture and procedures necessary for innovation to flourish in a particular business. 

Also Read: Roles to explore after an MBA in Business Analytics

Chief Learning Officer (CLO) and Training Specialist

A senior-level executive who designs and manages an organization’s training and education initiatives is known as the chief learning officer. Chief learning officers (CLOs) can have a variety of job roles, but they typically report directly to chief executive officers or talent officers and collaborate closely with HR. They support the creation of staff development training programs, the improvement of organizational learning and skill development, and the integration of training activities with the overall business plan.

Brand Evangelist and Customer Experience Manager

Evangelists increase product value and promote loyalty by taking on cross-functional duties throughout the customer journey. Creating plans to enhance a brand’s entire consumer experience is another duty that may fall to brand experience managers. This could involve anything from raising sales through more effective marketing initiatives to raising the caliber of goods or services a business offers. They act as the real brand ambassadors, contributing to the building and maintaining of powerful brand identities as well as the improvement of consumer experiences via strategic efforts.

Also Read: High-paying finance roles to explore after MBA BKFS 

Sports Management and Event Planning

Sports teams and facilities need administration of different areas of their operations, much like any other form of business. You will learn the strategic planning, leadership, strategic thinking, and financial management skills necessary to successfully navigate the business side of the sports or entertainment industry and make wise decisions that will drive success. Also an MBA graduate may also work in entertainment or media management, which would put their analytical, negotiating, and communication talents to use.

Futurist and Trend Analyst

The world we live in is evolving quickly. Everything has been on the rise in recent years, from client behavior to technology innovation. Finding changes in the market over a given time frame is the main goal of trend analysis reports. To stay up-to-date, a futurist or trend analyst must analyze market trends, project future industry landscapes, establish strategic plans based on developing technologies and societal changes, and then shape corporate strategies for long-term success following those predictions to ensure business growth.

Remote Work Consultant

The arrival of the digital age has resulted in a considerable surge in remote consulting employment in recent times. If you have experience in a certain industry and wish to work independently, becoming a remote consultant can be a fulfilling career decision. They support businesses in implementing successful remote work policies, managing productivity and employee well-being in virtual workplaces, and navigating the transition to remote and hybrid work environments for the smooth functioning of businesses.

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MAHE and the various MBA specializations it offers

Manipal Academy of Higher Education is one of the top academic institutions in India that offers specialized MBA programs. It is recognized as an Institution of Eminence by the Indian Ministry of Education. From MBA in Analytics and Data Science to Marketing, the institute offers 10 career-focused electives to choose from. It is a globally engaged school that actively collaborates with over 250 esteemed universities across the globe.

Become a competitive leader in today’s industry by enrolling in MAHE’s online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. To build successful career paths in the field and industry of their choice, learners can select from both traditional & non-traditional MBA job options, which include 10 career-focused electives, including HR, Finance, Marketing, Operations, International Business, IT & Fintech, Analytics & Data Science, and more.

Conclusion

Identifying the programs that will help you achieve your professional and personal objectives is crucial when considering the types of jobs you can obtain with an MBA. There are many non-traditional emerging roles after MBA you can choose. Therefore, obtaining an online MBA has become essential to improving career results as technology continues to transform the business landscape. From 2023 to 2032, the size of the worldwide MBA education market is projected to grow at a 15.6% CAGR.

As societal requirements evolve, the non-traditional and specialized industries for MBA grads will become popular. The comprehensive and engaging learning environment provided by the MAHE online MBA program gives professionals the technology know-how and business acumen they need to succeed in the cutthroat job market of today. Choose MAHE to start your journey toward a fulfilling professional transformation.