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How to Get Ahead in Business with an Online MBA

By Amelia Gray
Learning & Life Columnist

In the world of business, the MBA is the gold standard. This flexible, far-reaching degree can give you the knowledge and skills to move up your current career ladder, switch to a different field, or start from the ground with your own business. The first key to success with an MBA is in knowing how to tailor it to your goals.

The Power of the MBA

"MBAs are hot, again," says Del Jones for USA Today. The newspaper reports that MBA degree-holders are already seeing some return from a recent slump, with new MBA graduates at their first jobs earning a 13.5% increase in salary and signing bonus. This popular degree is the top choice for many returning to school: a survey by the U.S. Department of Education found that MBAs account for about 25% of all master's degrees awarded.

Growing Fields for MBA Graduates:

• Hospital administration
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Biotechnology
• Government

Many online MBA students complete their degree program while keeping their current job, supplementing their income for school. The careers and compensation that potentially await new MBA graduates depend on the training specialization they choose.

Popular Online MBA Specializations:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Healthcare management
• Marketing

A recent survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council found that the typical MBA grad in the class of 2006 made $61,300 before earning the degree--and expects a post-MBA salary of $86,350. No degree program can guarantee a particular career or salary, of course, but completing an online MBA program will boost your resume without interrupting your life.

Sources

• Certified MBA
• USA Today

About the Author
Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.

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