Earning an MBA remains the surest way to secure jobs at the top levels of business management. The combination of financial, analytical, leadership, and decision-making skills uniquely prepare MBA graduates to solve the complex challenges of the modern business world. 

However, not all MBA graduates decide to pursue a job in private business. Because of the transferable skills acquired in a high-quality online MBA program, graduates can excel in other careers. They may work for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate sustainability management. 

That blend of transferable skills and leadership preparation creates a solid foundation for earning an online MBA worthwhile for graduate students. Regardless of the type of MBA career they pursue, graduates from an online MBA program have the edge over their peers when competing for the best jobs. 

Transferable Skills Learned in an MBA Program

What can you do with an MBA? That depends on your interest and career goals. Many MBA students follow a traditional path into C-suite or department director jobs, combining the skills and knowledge learned in an MBA program with their own experience to make them better qualified for leadership positions. 

The core skills learned in this MBA program include graduate-level courses in organizational structure, human performance, marketing, accounting, financial analysis, and strategic management. Students can choose electives in managerial communications, business law, ethics, statistics, and quantitative decision-making. 

These skills can lead to various careers for professionals with an MBA. Career choices within the private business world include business analytics, digital marketing, sales and product management, finance, and business strategy. An MBA can also serve as a springboard for entrepreneurs launching their start-ups. 

Many of these positions exist in government, nonprofits, and jobs outside traditional business roles. 

Alternative Careers for MBA Graduates

An MBA doesn’t have to lead to a career in banking or consulting. Many graduates apply their skills in fields that once seemed unrelated to business—and they’re thriving.

Raji Kalra is a great example. She earned an MBA and a master’s in international affairs to build a career in the social sector. Now she’s the chief financial officer at the Center for Reproductive Rights in New York City. Kalra says that while nonprofits once questioned the value of MBAs, that mindset has shifted. Today, business-trained professionals are helping nonprofit organizations become more efficient, sustainable, and strategic.

Where Can an MBA Take You?

Outside of traditional corporate roles, MBA graduates are making an impact across a wide range of industries:

  • Nonprofit and Social Impact – Many use their degrees to lead mission-driven organizations, manage fundraising operations, or improve outreach and community programs.
  • Healthcare Administration – Hospitals and clinics need leaders who understand finance, operations, and strategy.
  • Government and Public Policy – MBA grads are stepping into leadership roles in local, state, and federal agencies, helping shape policies and manage large-scale programs.
  • Education and EdTech – From managing school districts to launching education-focused startups, business leaders are transforming the way people learn.
  • Sustainability and Environmental Sectors – Businesses focused on green energy, conservation, and sustainability are hiring MBAs to scale impact and manage resources.
  • Media and Entertainment – Whether managing production budgets or developing new business models for content delivery, this field offers exciting challenges for MBA grads.
  • Startups and Entrepreneurship – Many MBA students launch their own ventures or join early-stage startups in industries they’re passionate about.

Some students enter MBA programs with these goals in mind. Others discover unexpected interests during their studies and shift gears. In both cases, the MBA provides the foundation needed to lead, adapt, and grow across sectors.

The NMU Global MBA Program

NMU Global Campus online MBA program prepares graduates as leaders in whatever MBA career they pursue. The program focuses on teaching professionals a mix of business and leadership skills, as well as giving students insight into leveraging advanced technology to achieve goals. 

Graduates of the program have expertise in ethical, creative, and collaborative skill sets. They are also prepared for success as leaders and executives in every type of organization. They hone their ability to quickly assess large amounts of information and make data-driven decisions based on facts. 

Perhaps most importantly, graduates go beyond the technical skills required in an MBA career, learning to motivate and inspire others to work together toward a common, ambitious goal. Those transferable skills prepare graduates for every type of MBA career in every sector of the economy.