Successful organizations need to pivot quickly and deftly in today’s fast-moving business world. Whether overhauling their operating model, revising the balance sheet or adopting emerging technologies, businesses must manage transformation skillfully and confidently.
Modern Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs concentrate on developing the skills necessary to thrive in this environment. By evolving to meet the needs of today, the MBA remains the must-have graduate degree for aspiring business leaders.
MBA students may assume that a specialized MBA—one that focuses a significant portion of the curriculum on a particular discipline or skill, such as finance, marketing or operations—delivers more value than a general MBA. In some instances, they may be correct: for example, if you know you want to spend your career in supply chain management (SCM), a specialized MBA in SCM could help you advance more quickly.
However, in this rapidly changing environment, many arguments favor a general MBA, which provides a solid and more-thoroughgoing foundation in business fundamentals from which you can more efficiently and effectively pivot to meet shifting business needs. This article explores the value of an MBA and the benefits of choosing a general MBA program, like the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s (UTK’s) online MBA.
Earn an MBA Online at UT Knoxville
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What Can You Do with an MBA Degree?
According to Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) research, employers feel confident in hiring business school graduates, with the percentage of companies hiring MBA graduates increasing between 2018 and 2022. In 2022, over 90 percent of the global employers participating in the GMAC survey hired MBA graduates.
According to GMAC, “MBAs continue to be the most competitive of graduate management education degrees,” partly because the degree prepares students to solve business challenges across industries. MBAs should be equipped to pursue various career options based on their strengths and interests upon graduation. Possible job roles include:
- Business analyst
- Controller
- Director of human resources
- Finance manager
- Human resource manager
- Marketing manager
- Product manager
- Project manager
The In-Demand Skills at the Core of a General MBA Curriculum
General MBAs provide a foundation for success by building in-demand skills applicable across industries. According to the latest GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, the skills employers most value in business school graduates are communication, data analysis and strategy. Read on to learn how a general MBA program can help you bolster these critical skills.
Communication
Communication impacts all areas of business, from customer relationships to employee engagement. Effective communication can help companies mitigate conflict, boost productivity and increase innovation. It’s a critical performance driver.
UTK’s online MBA curriculum includes coursework focusing on business communications and stresses communication skills throughout the program. The diverse student body, drawn from multiple industries and backgrounds, continually strengthens communication skills by engaging each other in live classes, discussions and online forums.
Strategic Thinking
Over half of GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey respondents identified strategy and innovation as vital skills they seek in employees. Strategic thinking enables organizational leadership teams to set a clear direction for their businesses based on company goals and external factors. Strategic thinking goes hand-in-hand with innovation.
General MBA programs prioritize teaching students to think strategically and drive organizational change. The UTK online MBA curriculum includes decision modeling, strategic decision-making, and marketing strategy courses. A curriculum-wide focus on applied learning means UTK MBAs don’t just read about the theory of problem-solving; they must also apply it to case studies and their capstone project.
Data Analysis
Business leaders must be able to interpret complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can drive strategic initiatives, optimize operations and seize opportunities. Effective data analysis empowers leaders to anticipate market changes, mitigate risks and foster innovation, enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of their organizations.
That’s why most modern general MBA programs include a data analysis component. At UTK, analytical coursework is taught in the context of business problems; students emerge from the program with robust skills in Tableau, Power Bi and more.
What UTK MBA Students Can Expect to Learn
At UTK, online MBA students receive training across core business subjects, including finance, accounting, operations management, supply chain, marketing, economics and customer service. The curriculum applies across business sectors and functions, preparing students to step into various industries and roles upon graduation. A solid cross-disciplinary foundation equips students to pivot with business trends, promoting career longevity. It also provides insight across business functional areas that will serve you well in future leadership roles.
As a UTK online MBA student, you will have the opportunity to learn from active industry practitioners who supplement course materials with relevant firsthand experience and case studies. Online students also benefit from a diverse peer group with different backgrounds and experiences, making class discussions exciting and enriching. Upon graduation, they join the massive Volunteer alumni network of nearly 450,000.
Become a Holistic Leader with an Online MBA from UT
If you are looking for an MBA program that offers a solid return on investment, enables you to work in different industries, and increases your employment prospects, a general program could be the right choice for you. An interdisciplinary MBA program, like the one offered by UTK, can help you gain broad foundational business knowledge.
UTK’s online MBA focuses on turning knowledge into action. As an online MBA student, you will develop critical skills, like effective communication and decision-making, and be challenged to think critically, act strategically and lead confidently. The UTK program’s 100 percent online, flexible format makes it possible to earn your graduate degree without putting your professional development on hold. There’s no need to worry if you haven’t studied online before. UTK offers a robust support system to help students succeed.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career development, contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the UTK online MBA. Our advisors can help you identify whether this is the right program for you and provide guidance on the application process.