Career Direction for M.B.A. in General Business?

Question

HELP ! I have an M.B.A. in "Administrative Management" that is really not helping me find a good career. Does anybody know what I can do career wise with this General Business degree (it does not have a specialty like Finance, Accounting, Info Tech, Marketing although I have taken all those core courses.)

Answer 1

Ouch. I wish someone has spoken to you about this before you went into MBA.

A general business management MBA isn't very helpful when you do not have much work experience yet. This kind of degree is good for those who has 10 years of experience who are already in mid level management, the degree will give them one leg up above their peers. But without the experience, this MBA training is too general for it to be enhancing your career choices.

If the degree is from a top tier school or if you have high grades, then the degree might be helpful somewhat.

My suggestion is that you temporarily assume that you do not have the degree and try finding a job that interest you the most. Once you proven yourself at that position and with MBA in your bag, you will be able to move up quicker than others.

Best of luck.

An executive recruiter.

Answer 2

I don't think you should worry too much about it. I myself have an MBA (albeit in a specialized field) but I can say that no where did anyone say that b/c I have an MBA in marketing I should be in marketing. I have (in my extensive career) been able to move extensively between sales, finance, accounting, marketing and medical science. The key question is how do YOU see yourself. Do you see yourself as someone who knows something about everything and no more about anything. Secondly do you feel you have particular interest in some area. One of the biggest problems I see with MBAs today is that they expect to get into managerial level right of the bat. I think to be truly successful as a leader in the long term you need to know the trenches where the war is being fought- it is for your own credibility when you eventually become a VP! So the other key is to find an area that interests you and be prepared to work from the bottom up. For instance....if you have an interest in pharmaceuticals, you may consider a three options, sales rep, internship or part-time. All accomplish the key core objective- get you foot in the door- once in you can prove your metal thru your hard work- no longer do they need to rely on a piece of paper to determine your value. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Join the club. I also have an MBA and looking for a career. Personnally I would start my own business or enter the world of finance/marketing. It may be difficult to enter at an entry level position if you have an MBA right after your undergrad with no experience. My advice is go with what you liked most during your MBA program. Good luck! oh and if you know people in high places now is the time to contact them.

Answer 4

An MBA is a very powerful degree when coupled with a good undergraduate degree that is NOT business,and after you have worked in industry for a few years. If your undergrad is in business, the MBA will not help a whole lot until you have put in many years and then the affects of an advanced business degree is questionable, you might have gotten just as far by performing in your career. If you just got both and undergrad and grad degree, I would start looking for an entry level job in the business area you liked most in class. No one is going to look to you as a business expert until you prove yourself in the workplace and it is backed up by numbers - profit, lower turnover, etc.

Answer 5

What about one of the big consulting houses?
MacKenzie, or one of the accouting houses that have consulting arms - Ernst & Young, KPMG, PWC and Deloite are the Big 4 (which I'm sure you know). It seems like a general biz. degree would fit right in there