Jobs Requiring MBA's
- Investment banking careers require an MBA and several years of corporate finance, accounting, economics or banking work experience. Investment bankers lend money to corporations, organizations and government agencies for things like mergers, acquisitions and large capital projects. These positions are very competitive and require the high level analysis, budgeting and management skills that the MBA degree provides. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The securities, commodities, and other investments industry should experience employment growth between 2006 and 2016, but competition for jobs in the industry will be quite keen." The average salary of an investment banker is difficult to establish but ranges between $100,000 and into the millions. Some of these firms include Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank.
- High end management consulting is a great opportunity for an MBA graduate. High end consulting helps corporations and large organizations reach their full potential. High end management consultants interface with the C Suite level executive team. C Suite meaning the top executive team, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and several other widely used top executive titles. These consultants assist their clients with topics such as efficacy metrics, financial restatements, merger and acquisition analysis and international expansion projects. One such firm is Eagle Hill Consulting (www.eaglehillconsulting.com)
- Private equity firms manage a fund that has been raised through private investment sources. This equity capital is then made available for investment opportunities. These funds are private and therefore, do not have to be listed publicly on any exchange or SEC filing. The funds raised through private equity can be used for just about any project that the fund managers approves. These may include developing new products and technologies, expanding the working capital of a fund owned company, to make acquisitions, or to strengthen a company's balance sheet. Private equity funds buy and sell or operate companies all the time. They simply have to make money for their investors. These salaries are difficult to determine; however, they can range into the millions. Several such firms include Prairie Capital, Hadley Capital and Everest Capital.
- Hedge fund managers are highly compensated and must be well educated. These positions require high degrees of strategic planning, analysis, financial and management skills. Hedge funds take on limited numbers of high net worth investors and invest the money for profit. Hedge funds have a greater degree of latitude in investment opportunity. They are allowed to invest the money in alternative and usually off-limit investments. Every fund is managed and run differently. Several hedge fund companies are Bridgewater Associates, GLG Partners and D.E. Shaw. According to Indeed.com, the average hedge fund manager salary is $87,000. However, these opportunities pay bonuses, commissions and overrides. Many earn into the millions.
- Mergers and acquisition consultants assist companies in acquiring competitors and help companies within their supply chain. Sometimes a company will acquire a company from a totally different industry in an effort to expand their options. Mergers are the combining of two like companies into one larger company. Mergers requires lots of analysis, finance work and pro forma statement creation. This requires a professional that holds credentials beyond a standard bachelor's degree. The MBA provides the strategic planning and management skills necessary to excel in this opportunity. The average salary for a mergers and acquisition consultant is $116,000 according to Indeed.com.
