All companies, non-profits, and other organizations have some form of general management at their head to direct the company’s operation and make policy decisions. The CEO (chief executive officer), COO (chief operating officer), president, vice president, owner, etcetera. Most corporations have one or more of these positions which oversee the company’s goals and operations. These persons are in turn overseen by the company’s board of directors. Having an MBA is frequently a pre-requisite for a career in executive or high-level positions.
- The MBA may be an explicit requirement for promotion.
- Having a highly trained management team can benefit when propositioning investment groups who may demand this as proof that a company has the proper knowledge and training to operate profitably.
- The knowledge gained in one’s MBA training as well as the connections and networking made during the program can be very helpful in obtaining executive positions.
Many CEOs and executives in the business world have MBA degrees or have surrounded themselves with advisers holding MBAs. There are more factors that go into obtaining a high-level position than simply having an MBA, but the MBA can be an important piece of one’s toolkit in obtaining such a position.
While most MBA programs provide an option for emphasis in management or strategy, there are few job opportunities in these positions for new graduates. More industry experience is required.Executive MBA programs, on the other hand, are specifically designed for persons already in the workforce who are nearing executive positions in their careers. Some companies may actually provide financial assistance or sponsorship to employees wishing to enroll in an executive MBA program for career advancement.
Those persons who plan to go for a strategic consulting career will need to take more classes across a broader range of the core disciplines. It is important to have as wide a knowledge base as possible. Especially if a person has already established a specialty before enrolling in a MBA program.
A company’s CEO, or chief executive officer, is generally accountable for the overall operation of the company as well as providing the strategic insight required for the company to prosper. The CEO is ultimately held accountable by the board of directors for the failure or success of the company. In addition, the CEO frequently must oversee subordinate executives in charge of managing the activities of assorted departments and implementing the company’s policies on a day to day basis.
In many large corporations and organizations, the responsibilities and duties of top management may be highly specialized. There are often a positions which are responsible for the performance of a particular branch or feature of the company alone. For example, sales, human resources, technology, finance, or development.
The wide spread proliferation of HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), along with pressure from insurance companies, has caused the health care field to become more businesslike. Many schools now offer dual degree MBA programs that combine health care and business focuses. One such program is the MHA/MBA which combines hospital administration with a MBA program. Often, the persons going into this field have a science or pre-med background in their undergraduate education. In addition, some health care companies may send their senior health care professionals to obtain an executive MBA in preparation for management positions within the organization.
- General Management and Strategy
- Executive Management
- Health Care Management and Administration
