Everything about doing business today is faster, more competitive and broader in scope than it was yesterday. Tomorrow the pace will be even faster, the competition sharper and the scope will cross even more borders and cultures.
As the business landscape evolves, demand will continue increasing for professionals with advanced critical-thinking skills, strategic decision-making abilities and data analytics expertise. A general online Master of Business Administration degree can be a competitive advantage for business professionals, whether they are entering the job market, preparing for career advancement or pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities.
When comparing general MBAs with specialized business degrees, The Princeton Review notes that both provide a firm foundation of business and management. However, a general MBA delivers a broader knowledge base across all specializations, creating more career options for graduates equipped with capabilities and skills that can apply to almost any sector.
On the other hand, a specialized degree focuses on developing expertise in one area, potentially limiting the graduate to a particular job category and career track. For example, an MBA in finance may not be helpful for a move into supply chain management.
“In addition to business and management experience, general MBA programs focus on strengthening leadership, creativity, communication and critical thinking skills, which are imperative to success in any field,” notes The Princeton Review‘s analysis.
What Career Opportunities Does a General MBA Open?
Graduates of an online MBA program, such as the one offered by the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) College of Business and Management, are prepared to compete for top management and executive roles.
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) and ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s top online MBA programs in the United States, the UIS coursework guides students through studies that enable them to:
- Strengthen critical-thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills
- Deepen insights into theory and practice across critical business operations, such as accounting, finance, information systems, marketing, operations management and organizational behavior
- Reinforce understanding of management techniques that improve business operations, enrich professional and personal development and optimize resource usage
Business professionals with expertise in those high-demand capabilities are positioned to command healthy salaries in careers with high growth potential.
For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that as of October 2021, marketing managers earn an average of $141,490 annually and can expect 10% job-growth rate between 2020 and 2030. Human resources managers earn $121,220 annually in a position that is projected to grow by 9% for the same period.
What Are the Intangible Benefits of a General MBA?
In addition to broad career options and a healthy salary in positions that are expected to add jobs much faster than other employment, earning a general MBA also provides graduates with automatic membership in a broad network of classmates, faculty and alumni. Business school students can gain invaluable networking opportunities and facilitate professional relationships that could help them long after graduation.
What Is the Value of a General MBA?
An advanced degree in business equips you with needed professional acumen. However, earning an MBA such as the one offered online by the University of Illinois Springfield can also “future-ready your career,” the Harvard Business Review stated.
The online curriculum for the online MBA program through UIS is identical to that of its on-campus option. Students in the online program have the flexibility and affordability benefits of online courses, and graduates are ready to enter the business world or advance their careers with knowledge, insights and expertise that are in high demand.
Learn more about University of Illinois Springfield’s online MBA program.
