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Quick Answer: What are the most common post-MBA career paths?
- consulting
- investment banking and finance
- private equity and venture capital
- technology and product management
- general management and leadership-development programs
- entrepreneurship
These career paths help MBA graduates grow, drive impact, and maximize salaries.
Let’s explore these options in detail.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Why Your Post-MBA Career Path Matters
- Top Post-MBA Career Paths by Industry
- Post-MBA Roles by Specialization
- Short-Term vs. Long-Term Post-MBA Goals
- Post-MBA Salary Expectations by Role
- How to Choose the Right Post-MBA Career Path
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s Next?
Why Your Post-MBA Career Path Matters
Determining the best post-MBA career path isn’t just about getting the highest-paying MBA jobs. Instead, it’s about setting yourself up for long-term MBA career growth.
Your pre-MBA experience, strengths, and interests will help you choose the right career.
Top Post-MBA Career Paths by Industry
Here are some of the best post-MBA careers, some notable employers, and benefits:
- Consulting
- Roles: management consultant, strategy consultant, operations consultant
- Employers: McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Accenture, Deloitte, Strategy&, PwC
- Benefits: high salaries, exposure to different industries, strong exit opportunities
- Finance
- Roles: investment associate, financial analyst, private equity associate, corporate finance manager, venture capital associate
- Employers: JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citi, BlackRock, Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital
- Benefits: high salaries, strong bonus compensation, solid exit opportunities
- Technology
- Roles: product manager, product marketer, strategy & business operations, technical program manager
- Employers: Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Intuit, various startups
- Benefits: fast-paced, access to equity, opportunities to innovate
- General Management
- Roles: general manager, leadership development programs (LDPs), operations lead
- Employers: GE, Amazon (Pathways), PepsiCo, DaVita, J&J
- Benefits: exposure to functional areas, progression within a company
- Entrepreneurship & Startups
- Roles: founder, CEO, COO, head of marketing, head of operations
- Employers: various VC-funded startups, incubators, and seed-stage startups
- Benefits: autonomy, the opportunity to innovate, ownership
TTP PRO TIP:
Research roles, companies, and benefits to create a comprehensive list of potential career paths.
Post-MBA Roles by Specialization
Your MBA specialization can help determine your career path. To give you an idea, here are some popular roles by specialization:
- Finance: investment banking, asset management, corporate finance
- Marketing: brand management, product marketing, digital marketing
- Operations: operations manager, supply chain manager, process improvement lead
- Technology: product manager, strategy, analytics
- Entrepreneurship:start-up founder, VC associate, PE associate
If you’re exploring a degree after MBA, consider the skills you need before making a decision.
TTP PRO TIP:
Research specializations across your target programs to determine the best fit for you.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Post-MBA Goals
When choosing a post-MBA career path, consider the time frames of your goals. For example:
- Short-term goals: Roles that you’ll target immediately following graduation.
- Long-term goals: Goals in the 5–10 years following graduation.
Consider what is realistic in the short term to drive MBA career growth. Alternatively, determine what you’ll pursue in the long term.
Post-MBA Salary Expectations by Role
MBA salaries vary by industry, role, and geography. However, here is a broad range:
| Role | Industry | Average Base Salary Range (USD) | Total Compensation Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Consultant | Consulting | $160,000–$175,000 | $200,000–$250,000+ |
| Investment Banking Associate | Investment Banking | $175,000–$225,000 | $200,000–$350,000+ |
| Product Manager | Tech | $150,000–$200,000 | $175,000–225,000+ |
| Corporate Finance Manager | Corporate Finance | $150,000–$180,000 | $170,000–$220,000+ |
| Leadership Development Program | General Management | $125,000–$175,000 | $140,000–$200,000+ |
These ranges represent some of the highest-paying MBA jobs across the most popular industries. However, results will depend on your experience, company, geography, and more.
KEY FACT:
Similar roles may not offer the same compensation in different cities, states, or countries.
How to Choose the Right Post-MBA Career Path
Ultimately, the right post-MBA career path is a personal choice. Therefore, consider the following factors:
- Your pre-MBA experience: In which industries and functions do you have experience? Also, which skills and experiences are transferable?
- Lifestyle: How do you value the balance between your professional and personal lives? Additionally, do you want to travel, work on-site, or work remotely?
- Growth potential: How will your post-MBA career help your long-term goals? Specifically, do you want to stay with a company, or are you looking for exit opportunities?
- Passion and interests: What excites you the most about a function or industry? Also, do your interests align with your strengths and experience?
Use MBA networking strategies to learn more about post-MBA career paths. Specifically, learn from students and experienced professionals.
TTP PRO TIP:
Network with students and alums of your target MBA programs to learn more about post-MBA careers.
Key Takeaways
Your post-MBA career path will be shaped by your background, interests, and goals. With strategic planning, an MBA can be a great steppingstone to your future.
As you explore options, take advantage of the following resources:
- Learn about MBA networking strategies to engage alums and professionals.
- Monitor when MBA admissions open and track application deadlines.
- Consider seeking MBA admissions consulting support.
- Create a strategic MBA application timeline.
- Use MBA scholarship negotiation letter tips.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What can I do with an MBA?
You can accelerate your current career path or pivot careers. Specifically, you can pursue a career in finance, consulting, tech, or marketing, or start your own business.
What is a realistic post-MBA salary?
It depends on your function, industry, company, and geography. However, many post-MBA career paths start at around $150,000 per year.
What is a realistic salary for consulting?
A realistic salary starts at around $160,000 annually. However, it depends on the company, role, and geography.
What is a realistic salary for finance?
A realistic salary starts at around $175,000 per year. However, a realistic salary for corporate finance starts at around $150,000 annually.
How do I learn more about post-MBA careers?
Network with current students and alums to learn more. Additionally, refer to each of your target MBA program’s annual employment reports.
For example, Tuck School of Business shares post-MBA career paths and compensation in its 2024 Employment Report.
What’s Next?
Determining your post-MBA career path is critical for developing strong MBA applications. Target Test Prep’s experienced MBA admissions consultants can discuss your goals with you.
