A career management team dedicated to the Executive, Professional, and Online MBA programs works with Professional MBAs to support their career growth throughout the program and beyond. Whether you are looking to accelerate your career, switch career paths, or just want to explore your options, we can help you achieve your goals.
How Career Management Supports Professional MBA Students
The career management team provides career education and coaching to help Professional MBA students:
- Choose career targets.
- Develop strategic career plans.
- Utilize their networks, including the ones they’ll build while in the PMBA program.
- Create résumés, LinkedIn profiles, and interview answers that tell the story of the impact they can make.
- Develop the skills to negotiate offers, lead conversations with their current employer about putting new skills to use, and proactively handle workplace issues.
The PMBA career management team provides direct access to tools enhancing the hiring value you’ll own throughout your career. These include:
- CliftonStrengths training to help develop your talents, articulate your value, and build high-functioning teams at work and throughout your Professional MBA studies.
- Self-paced online courses developed and delivered by the career management team on topics such as identifying goals, developing a career plan, building a strong résumé & LinkedIn profile, networking, interviewing, negotiating, etc.
- Links to curated online courses for developing skills in case interviewing, and the level of Excel and PowerPoint skills useful for consultants.
- AI-based tools for honing your résumé, LinkedIn profile and cover letters.
Connecting You With a Network of Professionals
Your Professional MBA experience at UGA will be a personal one. You will have the opportunity to connect with professionals, mentors, and instructors to deepen and personalize your learning experience. Through our well-respected Terry College connections and network of successful alumni, you will gain:
- Access to experienced and highly qualified faculty.
- Classmates with broad professional insights and connections.
- A network of more than 75,000 Terry College alumni and 350,000 living UGA alumni.
See more about our Expansive Alumni Network.
Careers With a Professional MBA — FAQs
Your career is important. We want our students to excel in the classroom and in their work. Whether you’re looking to enter a new role or seeking to advance in your present position, you may wonder how a Professional MBA degree impacts your career.
Is a Professional MBA degree worth it?
The Graduate Management Admissions Council, in a Prospective Student Survey conducted in 2022, reports 4 in 5 MBA candidates agree a graduate business degree helps you stand out at work. Additionally, 87% of MBA graduates agree their degree increased their employability.
The Graduate Management Admission Council offers further evidence that MBA degrees are highly valuable. Last year, GMAC’s annual survey of hiring projections found most employers agreed business school graduates tend to have a fast track to upper-level positions in their organizations, and leaders in their organizations tend to hold an MBA degree.
Employers understand your investment in education adds real value to your role in their company, and many employers even offer full or partial tuition assistance to employees who enroll in an MBA program. By enrolling in our Professional MBA program, you will have the flexibility to continue working and contributing to company goals while advancing your knowledge in graduate school.
How can an MBA help my career?
A Professional MBA can prepare you for a leadership position, enable you to seek employment opportunities in new industries, or help you build and manage a business of your own. Investing in a graduate business education is an investment in the skills, knowledge, and network you will need to find long-term career success.
How have Professional MBAs advanced their careers by four-months post-graduation?
86% of graduates reported a career change on at least one of the following dimensions:
What is the Professional MBA career outlook?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), management occupations are expected to grow 8% over the next 10 years, with more than 800,000 new jobs anticipated as a result of this period of growth. Management jobs resulting from growth and replacement needs are expected to amount to more than 1 million openings, on average, each year.
Where can I work with a Professional MBA?
Professional MBA graduates can find employment in a wide range of industries, such as consulting, technology, health care, government, and nonprofit. In addition, Professional MBA holders can find careers across the nation and overseas, with global agencies seeking qualified MBA candidates to fill industry needs.
Positions for graduates include:
- Account Executive Officer
- Accounting Manager
- Brand Strategy & Commercial Performance Director
- Content Manager
- Consultant
- Consulting Manager
- Director of Human Capital
- Director of Marketing
- Director of Finance
- Director of Operations
- Financial Advisor
- Financial Manager
- HR Manager
- IT Program Manager
- Sales Account Manager
- Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
- Vice President of Sales or Strategy
Companies our students have accepted promotions or new jobs at include:
- Accountable Healthcare Staffing
- Ad Victoriam Solutions
- AGCO
- Amazon
- Ameris Bank
- AT&T
- Bank of America
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Capital One
- CDC
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Delta Air Lines
- Emory Healthcare
- Fiserv
- Georgia-Pacific
- Graphic Packaging International
- Habitat for Humanity
- IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Insight Sourcing Group
- J.P. Morgan
- KW
- Labcorp
- Mercedes-Benz
- PNC
- PwC
- Salesforce
- X (Formerly Twitter)
- Starbucks
- The Coca-Cola Company
- The Home Depot
- Travelers
- Truist
- UPS
- Viasat
How much can I make with a Professional MBA degree?
Our Professional MBAs (Class of 2023-2024) reported the following total compensation (including base + bonuses) as of four months post-graduation:
| Function | % of Class | Average* |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 1% | NSD |
| Consulting | 11% | $137,038 |
| Finance | 22% | $130,376 |
| General Management | 2% | NSD |
| Human Resources | 4% | $185,860 |
| Information Technology | 5% | $164,248 |
| Marketing/Sales | 25% | $148,356 |
| Operations/Logistics | 25% | $126,768 |
| Other | 6% | $136,600 |
| Class Overall | 100% | $139,465 |
* Estimated Annual Compensation = Base Salary + est. Commissions + est. Bonus + est. Profit Sharing (cash and equity components, regardless of vesting). Excludes signing bonus, retirement, health care, ESPP, other benefits, car, housing, tuition
Take Your Career to the Next Level With a Professional MBA Degree From UGA
A University of Georgia MBA is widely respected with a legacy of excellence recognized by employers in the industry.
Our Professional Master of Business Administration program will equip you with the skills to meet the demands of employers and reach long-term career success. Through our career management offerings, you’ll gain the skills to compete in the job market, perform in interviews, and excel in your role.
Interested in recruiting our students?
Visit our Recruit Professional MBA Students page and email us at recruitpromba@uga.edu for more information.
Is getting an MBA still worth it?
The business landscape is always changing, but the value of an MBA is still stronger than ever. Learn why getting your MBA could be the smartest investment in your future.
