One of the most exciting aspects of earning an MBA is that you can take your skills with you — anywhere! The MBA offers flexible and versatile post-graduate business training with applications across a broad array of industries. In addition, consider ways an MBA degree might open up a world of opportunities for you beyond our borders, if you open your mind to possibilities.
What Types of Employers Will Consider Your MBA Education?
Global expansion of business has increased the worldwide need for the skills developed within American MBA programs, as well as foreign programs with equivalent training. With an MBA, you could work in the United States or overseas for a foreign corporation, an international organization or a multinational corporation. You could work for the U.S. government or a U.S.-based business that has interests in other countries. You could even explore the world by spending part of the year on international business expatriate assignments or short-term contract jobs. Businesses that commonly hire MBA graduates from another country include manufacturers, accounting firms, banks and airlines.
The U.S. Economy and Language are Your Career Assets
You may wonder if foreign MBAs and equivalent degrees are just as valuable in the United States as the MBA is around the world. Yes, there are many excellent business programs worldwide. The added advantages of earning an MBA at an American institution are related to America’s role in global business. This is true of degrees earned on campus or online, as long as the conferring institution has a strong international reputation.
Because the United States is the world’s leading economic superpower, our language — English — is the universal standard of international business communication. That is an advantage to native English speakers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia and other English-speaking countries. More often than not, MBA graduates working in countries in which English is not the primary language do not have to be fluent in those languages.
In addition, because we are a leading trading partner for so many other countries, what American students learn in an MBA program about international business is highly applicable when working in those countries. For that reason, many multinational and foreign companies actively seek out American MBA graduates.
What Countries Are Hiring MBA Graduates?
With globalization accelerating economic changes, we are seeing more countries that now look to hire MBA graduates. According to the TopMBA recently released Jobs & Salary Trends Report 2016/17, which provides a snapshot of MBA salaries around the world, there has been significant movement in and out of the top 10 countries based on MBA salary averages.
Australia sits atop the list, with an average MBA salary of US$108,250, ahead of the U.S. (#2) and Canada (#3). Traditionally, Western Europe has been a top destination for MBA graduates who want to work abroad, but only Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and Italy cracked the top 10. Spain and Germany are not on the list, but keep in mind, these countries, along with Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands do bring in significant numbers of foreign workers, though their MBA salaries are not currently in the world’s top ten. Malaysia and Brazil are new entrants to the list. When examining several years of trends, what we see is increasing opportunities in Asia and Latin America. These trends are projected to continue, making an MBA from a U.S. university an especially strong investment for students considering career opportunities in these regions.
Learn more about the Fitchburg State online MBA in Management program.
Sources:
U.S. News & World Report: 4 Myths About Americans Earning Graduate Degrees Abroad
Top MBA: The Top 10 Countries for Post-MBA Salary Levels in 2016
