Career Change and Advancement Through an Online MBA Program: Career Paths, Salary Growth and Job Satisfaction

Throughout your career, you will find meaningful opportunities to grow and advance professionally. Whether you aspire to rise in the ranks of your current organization or you’re ready to move on and hope to advance elsewhere, it's important to look forward, have a plan, and take steps to reach your goals.

A strong online MBA can help you land a better job, increase your job satisfaction, and heighten your skills. In addition, high-quality online MBA programs will present important networking opportunities that can help enrich your professional experience.

Read on to learn how an online MBA can aid your career advancement.

MBA programs come in different shapes and sizes. For instance, the number of credits required for graduation generally ranges from 36-70 credit hours, depending on the program in which you’re enrolled.¹

Even allowing for this diversity, you'll take some standard courses. MBA students typically study accounting, finance, organizational structure, management, and business ethics. Most full-time MBA programs can be completed in two years, while some accelerated programs can be completed in as little as a year.² On-campus programs have benefits, but an online MBA program can offer greater flexibility, which is especially useful if you aim to maintain full-time employment while completing your degree.

To choose the right online MBA program, consider your career goals and decide if you want to pursue a specialized degree. For example, if you want to own a business in an emerging industry, you may want an MBA with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or artificial intelligence (AI). In the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, you can choose an MBA concentration in Data Science and Business Analytics, Leading Innovative Organizations, Marketing, Finance, or Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation. The right online MBA for you is the one that fits your schedule and moves you closer to reaching your goals.

Online MBA career paths vary almost as much as the degree programs themselves. Still, many MBA degree holders work in accounting, marketing, and management roles, though it's important to remember that MBA graduates acquire the skills to excel in many careers and industries.³

After finishing an online MBA, it's common to change careers. In 2023, MBA graduates found a home in several industry sectors, gravitating especially toward consulting, banking and finance, IT, and education.⁴ While some were already in these fields, it’s possible others found a way in with help from their MBA.

At least one number paints a clear portrait concerning the real-world value of an online MBA. Recently, the median salary increase from students’ pre-MBA jobs to their first jobs after business school was a staggering $85,000.⁵

In the long term, MBA earners can expect to see those higher salaries add up. A 2021 study suggested that an MBA is worth $2.3 million more than a bachelor's degree.⁶ In the three years since this study was conducted, MBA salaries have risen, meaning the $2.3 million projection is likely to increase even more.⁷

In a recent Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) study, 84% of MBA recipients reported that the degree helped improve their professional situation.⁸ This can happen in a number of ways. For instance, you may have heard of imposter syndrome, which is feeling like you aren't qualified for your job. Pursuing an online MBA can bolster your qualifications, build your confidence, and equip you with the skills to succeed.

Consider this: In the same GMAC study, about two-thirds of MBA respondents said they advanced at least one level in their career as a result of the degree.

Online MBA programs teach you many things you need to know to move up professionally, get hired into positions of authority, and accelerate your advancement toward leading businesses. You'll be prepared to fill multiple roles as you have honed your skills in leadership, strategic thinking, and data analysis.

The skills you gain while completing an online MBA are useful in diverse industries. For instance, MBA graduates often put leadership skills to work as executive-level employees in companies of various sizes. One study in the early 2020’s found that 22% of CEOs worldwide have an MBA degree, and that percentage more than triples to 69% in the U.S.⁹ The MBA also shapes your strategic thinking skills, giving you the ability to strategize properly to move your organization closer to fulfilling its mission and vision. Finally, data analysis training gives you a significant edge in understanding numbers, compared to someone without an MBA, since you’ve been trained to prepare and sort data, so you can see patterns and make informed predictions.

Most online MBA programs require a minimum number of in-person residencies. These range in length and structure, but they all help you in the hidden skill of business: networking. As you collaborate with your peers and expert professors, you will see your network of opportunities expand, both while in school and after finishing your degree.

Success stories among MBA alumni aren't hard to find, and Alexander Titus has one worth hearing. While working full-time to support his family, he completed the Online MBA from Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business in 2020. Now, he serves as a senior business planner at Microsoft.

Jennifer Nguyen, MBA ‘19, specifically mentioned the manner in which the online courses are structured to facilitate collaboration and communication among students. She appreciated how the format required her to communicate well, take a position, and stand her ground—all skills that have helped in her professional life.

Watch interview videos featuring Alexander, Jennifer, and other Leavey MBA graduates on our website.

Gain the knowledge, experience, and connections to become a true business leader: a Silicon Valley Professional.

Led by a faculty of experts, the Online MBA program from the Leavey School of Business gives you the choice to pursue a broad-based MBA or complete a concentration in Data Science and Business Analytics, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship and New Ventures, or Leading Innovative Organizations. Strike the perfect balance between your education and your life in this flexible online program.

Start redefining your career and your future. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.