How the M.B.A. is Changing to Meet Market Demands
How is the M.B.A. Changing to Meet Market Demands?
Businesses face an unprecedented rate of change. According to Accenture’s Pulse of Change: 2024 Index, the speed at which companies make shifts has risen steadily since 2019—183 percent over the past four years.
While this rate of change is driven largely by technology, leaders also report that talent is a factor, citing skill shortages. There is a growing demand for professionals who not only have the skillset to thrive in an ever-changing environment, but to lead organizations through the changes.
To help meet this need, top M.B.A. programs, like those offered at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University, adjust and align curriculum regularly to ensure their students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet market demands.
Top M.B.A. programs stay relevant by
- Focusing on real-world needs and providing hands-on learning experiences;
- Training students in essential soft skills like critical thinking, effective communication, and empathetic leadership;
- Offering concentrations or specializations for top industries; and
- Providing a variety of M.B.A. formats to accommodate students, such as online and part-time offerings.
Will an M.B.A. Help Differentiate Me in the Job Market?
In addition to giving you advanced knowledge, earning your M.B.A. can differentiate you in the workforce as someone who is committed to continuous improvement and skill-building. This is an essential trait to have, especially in today’s changing business environment.
If you enroll in an M.B.A. that is well-regarded, employers will also know that you are up-to-date on industry best practices, trends, and emerging technologies.
Does an M.B.A. Make Sense for My Industry?
An M.B.A. offers transferable, “future-ready” skills that are useful in virtually any industry—but they may be particularly useful for high-demand, fast-moving industries like
- Artificial Intelligence
- Energy
- Engineering
- Government
- Health Care
- Insurance
- Investment Banking/Finance
- Manufacturing
- Tech/IT
Consider the career path you’d like to pursue or if you might make a career pivot in the near future. An M.B.A. can help you build a skillset and a network to help you achieve your goals.
Which M.B.A. Specialization is Best for Me?
One of the major ways M.B.A. programs have changed to meet market demand is the increase in specializations offered. Specialization or concentration courses complement your foundational curriculum and give you a deeper understanding of a particular industry’s practices, needs, and trends.
If you have a clear idea about the path you want to take in your career, adding a specialization will help you stand out in the market. At St. John’s University, there are more than 19 specializations and several signature M.B.A. programs from which to choose.
Top M.B.A. specializations in 2024 included
STEM M.B.A.: Prepare to take on management and leadership roles in technical and data-driven industries with this analytics and data-focused M.B.A.
M.B.A. in Information Systems: Gain a comprehensive understanding of modern information systems and how to apply emerging technology to meet business goals.
M.B.A. in Risk Management : Learn to take an enterprise-approach to managing and assessing risks to help businesses succeed strategically, financially, and reputationally.
M.B.A. in Finance: Prepare to take on leadership roles in financial services, banking, securities, and more with in-depth coursework.
M.B.A. in Marketing: Understand the rapidly changing digital and marketing landscape and how to help drive profits and reputation through strategic marketing practices.
M.B.A. in Artificial Intelligence (AI): Gain the strategic insight and technical skills to thrive in today’s AI-driven economy.
M.B.A. in Accounting: Earn an M.B.A. with added technical competence to help solve businesses’ accounting and financial problems at the highest level.
How Will an M.B.A. Help Me in a Changing Market?
As long as you earn your M.B.A. from an institution with an industry-aligned, accredited curriculum, your degree will help prepare you for leadership roles and make you a star candidate in the job market—even as it evolves.
In today’s changing market, the top skills that employers seek are all acquired in the St. John’s M.B.A.:
- Adaptability and resilience
- Creativity and innovation
- Critical thinking and complex problem solving
- Cultural competence and appreciation for diversity
- Data literacy and analytics to drive decision making
- Digital fluency and technical aptitude
- Environmental sustainability awareness and ability to implement best practices
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
- Leadership skills and influence
- Understanding of the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning (and how to use it to meet business goals!)
Check out St. John’s unique M.B.A. offerings and get started today
Related Blog Posts
How Attending a Crisis Conference Expanded My Homeland Security Education at St. John’s
If you are a homeland security student or interested in disaster recovery careers, attending a professional conference can be transformative. This spring, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Disaster Recovery Journal (DRJ) Conference in Orlando, FL.
How to Set Academic Goals: 4 Steps for Early College Success
Entering college is an exciting chapter filled with possibilities—but without a clear plan, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Setting academic goals can transform your experience from simply getting by to achieving extraordinary success.
This guide helps you master academic goals, stay focused, and unlock your full potential in your first year and beyond.
Does It Matter Where You Get Your M.B.A.?
Don’t invest your time and resources in just any M.B.A. program. The reputation of the business school where you earn your degree can influence your job prospects and network. It’s not just about what employers think or getting that first job, either. The quality of the education you receive can affect your staying power and your ability to flex with a changing environment and achieve your aspirations.
So, how do you find a high-quality M.B.A.? First, you need to understand what it means to be a top program.
How Changing Majors Transformed My College Experience
Declaring a major can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of your choice. Like many students, I selected a major without certainty and hit a few bumps. By my second year, I decided to change my major, which put me on the right track.
If you’re considering changing majors, don’t worry! With the right guidance, it’s easier than you think. Now, as a St. John’s University senior, I share how I successfully made the change and the campus resources that helped me.
How Risk Management Fuels This St. John's Grad Student's Entrepreneurial Success
Meet Uday Kumar, founder of start-up company KnotHastags and current international graduate student in the M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) degree program at St. John’s University.
In this Q&A, he discusses how his real-world experience, from launching a start-up to utilizing campus resources, fuels and supports his entrepreneurial ambitions.
