According to recent findings, the job market looks extremely bright for new Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates, and the concentrations you can pursue with an MBA keep expanding in quantity and quality. MBA degrees once symbolized mastery of industry standard management practices and leadership skills. However, university curricula developers who have their hands on the pulse of industry understand that giving students opportunities to customize their MBA degrees with specializations make them more professionally valuable to their current and future employers. As a result, concentration areas that are industry specific or that cross disciplines have been incorporated into the degree offerings of today’s top universities (please see: The Top 10 Best Online MBA in Marketing Programs). Here are some examples of MBA degree concentrations from which today’s students can choose.
MBA in Energy and Clean Technology
Efficient clean energy production, distribution and consumption will likely remain high priorities in all societies. Energy products enable nations to maintain their civil infrastructures and militaries, and nations that do not have reliable access to various forms of energy cannot provide their citizens with a high quality of life. An MBA in Energy and Clean Technology combines the study of business fundamentals with energy policy making procedures that are scientifically based. Students who take this type of MBA degree learn about the steps that companies take to research, develop and deploy new, cleaner energy systems for use in various geographic markets. MBA in Energy and Clean Technology degree programs that offer students internships with leaders in the energy industry are desired above those that do not.
MBA in Aviation Management
Both public agencies and private companies are involved in the modernization of aviation systems. These entities need business professionals who can help them to set strategic objectives, market new aviation products and manage all types of projects within the airline industry. Students who pursue MBA in Aviation Management degree programs learn how to apply standard business principles and fundamentals to the unique challenges within the field of aviation. Important course topics that these students can expect to take include supply chain logistics, finance, economics and operations management for aviation systems.
MBA in Hospitality Management
The hospitality and tourism industry employs numerous people worldwide because it is one of the largest global service industries. Workers within this industry often state that they enjoy making customers’ vacation and dining experiences memorable, but many seek out positions that feature better pay and greater job responsibilities. Pursuing an MBA in Hospitality Management can be just what these business professionals need to hone the specific management and leadership skills they need to gain senior level positions in the hospitality industry. Besides core business courses pertaining to finance, accounting and marketing, some course topics that MBA in Hospitality Management students can expect to take are guest service management, hospitality operations management and events management.
MBA in Corporate Social Responsibility
Because of high internet use and increased globalization, today’s consumers are more aware of fair trade abuses to the environment made by corporations. The public’s intolerance of these blunders often result in damaged brand reputations and lower profits for companies. Subsequently, many large businesses employ corporate social responsibility officers to make sure that their strategic plans and business unit activities do no harm to vulnerable people groups or fragile ecosystems. Students who want to fill those roles within companies often pursue an MBA in Corporate Social Responsibility degrees. During these programs, students learn about the culture and socioeconomic backgrounds of various peoples and they take courses that expose them to environmental science principles and challenges.
An MBA specialization can help new graduates to job search and gain employment in areas for which they have a true passion. Besides knowing what types of concentrations can be pursued with an MBA, graduates must be willing to take advantage of internships, study abroad and career networking opportunities.