An MBA specialization can steer graduates in the direction of niche or specific jobs. It can catalyze career growth, aiding the development of expertise from an early stage. And, it can provide MBA graduates with the opportunity to develop specific, in-demand skills to meet the needs of an evolving job market.
As the demand for specific skills booms across the business world, the number of jobs that require niche or specialized experience is growing rapidly. Rising to meet the demand are the graduates of specialized MBAs, equipped with expertise in particular industries or responsibilities. In this article, we’ll explore several of these MBA specializations, explaining the niche careers to which they may lead.
The In-Demand MBA Specializations Leading to Niche Jobs
Business Analytics
Business analytics drives business strategy. It does so via data—data that analysts study and transform to make business-informed decisions. Companies use business analytics to discover and interpret data in many directions. They may investigate customer behavior, for example, studying the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and uncovering the need for new products.
In today’s data-driven world, it’s no surprise that MBAs with data analytics expertise are in high demand.
Career opportunities for MBA business analytics specializations are broad, with graduates securing jobs such as:
- Data analyst
- Research analyst
- Business analyst
- Customer analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- Data scientist
If you want to get an in-depth sense of the application process, career goals, and student experience of a specialized MBA in business analytics, take a look at our series on the Real Humans of the Carnegie Mellon Tepper PTMSBA.
Healthcare Management
Equipped with an MBA specialization in healthcare management, MBA graduates are ready for leadership roles throughout the healthcare industry. With its blend of business acumen and healthcare expertise, this degree positions graduates to tackle the pressing challenges of patient care and operational efficiency in the healthcare industry.
The industry is competitive, and an MBA can help healthcare-hopefuls stand out from the crowd. A few areas in which MBA graduates with a healthcare specialization could find roles are:
- Healthcare administration
- Policy analysis
- Healthcare consulting
- Brand management
- Medical entrepreneurism
- Project management
One such specialized MBA is Pennsylvannia Wharton’s Health Care Management (HCM) Program. The HCM program not only builds expertise in business management, but provides in-depth knowledge of the “complex and distinctive features” of the healthcare industry.
The program equips graduates with skills that open doors across the healthcare space, drawing on electives from departments across Wharton and Pennsylvania University at large. In fact, students on the program even benefit from an interdisciplinary faculty based in Wharton, the Perelman School of Medicine.
Sustainable Business Practices
Consumers have been demanding sustainability from their businesses for some years now; and the demand is only increasing. A CGS survey revealed that 70% of consumers would be willing to pay more for corporate emphasis on sustainability.
Businesses are following the lead of their customers, and increasingly centering sustainability in their practices. This means that they need leaders who are not only skilled in driving business success, but who possess in-depth knowledge of sustainability measures and environmental impact.
Meeting this new demand are graduates from MBAs with specializations in sustainability. These graduates are securing jobs across the sustainability sector that include (but are not limited to):
- Sustainability consultant
- Investment analyst
- Corporate sustainability manager
- Climate risk and compliance specialist
- Policy advisor in environmental strategy
As well as jobs in sectors such as:
- Impact investing
- Renewable energy
- Sustainable finance
- Sustainable entrepreneurship
Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management is one of the top business schools offering specializations in sustainability. The school’s Sustainable Global Enterprise (SGE) concentration, for example, provides hands-on experience via which students take part in simulations, work with real companies, and participate in discussions to develop their knowledge. This immersive concentration requires students to take nine credits of coursework.
Here at Clear Admit, we’ve been tracking the trend on business schools and sustainability for some time. You can stay up to date with new programs and developments in our MBA News on Sustainability section, or read up on spotlighted programs such as Wharton’s sustainability focus.
Sports Management
For those who are passionate about sports, an MBA with a specialization in sports management can be the perfect opportunity to work within the industry. Armed with a combination of rigorously acquired business acumen and in-depth knowledge of the rapidly-expanding sports industry, graduates are primed to secure opportunities in the global sports industry. The industry is an exciting one—high-stakes, quick-changing, and fast-growing—promising fulfilling and diverse careers for all who enter it.
Graduates from an MBA with a specialization in sports management frequently find jobs with titles such as:
- Sports marketer
- Sports agent
- Athletic director
- Sports consultant
- Sports data analyst
- Public relations manager
- Managerial accountant
Advantages of Pursuing Niche MBA Specializations
A niche MBA specialization gives graduates an edge. With a specialized degree, graduates can develop deep and specific knowledge, positioning themselves as experts in the field of their choice.
Expertise lends graduates credibility, helping them stand out from the competitive crowd and ensuring they secure fulfilling and challenging roles. And a specialized MBA proves not only knowledge, but dedication and commitment, too, demonstrating a long-standing interest in the industry in question.
There’s an added benefit here, too, one that is more internal than external: fulfillment. Not only could a specialized MBA lead to the niche job of your dreams, it allows you to really dive deep into your interests. And, since the other students in your specialization will likely share your passion, this is an excellent opportunity to network with professionals in your specific area of interest.
Considerations When Choosing a Specialized MBA Program
As with any program, there are some points to consider when deciding whether an MBA specialization is right for you.
The big one is career goals. Do some research around the requirements in your dream industry, and check whether these align with the skills developed in your specialization. Ensure that taking a specialization will make the niche job you’re aiming for easier to reach, not harder.
Next up is the program’s curriculum and faculty. What is taught in the specialization, and who is teaching it? Read up to find out what skills you would develop and what industry connections you might build.
Finally, consider the geographic location of the MBA specialization—both in terms of you, and in terms of your industry of interest. First, is this somewhere that you could live? Second, is this somewhere where you could build connections to your future industry? If so, this could be the place for you.
