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Top MBA Specializations to choose from in 2024

Top MBA Specializations to choose from in 2024

Rebecca Riserbato
MSU CRUX

Published:

The business world continues to evolve at a rapid pace, increasing the demand for specialized knowledge and skills across various sectors. A report by Statista revealed that the employability rate among MBA graduates has surged considerably to 71% in 2024, implying that companies have been focusing on hiring personnel holding a postgraduate degree. 

According to the interviews conducted by Economic Times with several company officials and HR heads, the traditional MBA degree is becoming less favored in the current job market. Instead, companies are prioritizing hiring candidates having specialized skills relevant to their industry or specific roles. Hence, before diving into the specific specializations, it is essential to understand why choosing the right MBA domain is critical.  

In this article, we're going to discuss:

The Importance of Choosing the Right MBA Specialization

Before diving into the specific specializations, it is essential to understand why choosing the right MBA focus is critical. MBA graduates often find themselves in high demand, but the specialization you choose can significantly influence your job prospects, salary potential, and leadership opportunities. The right MBA specialization aligns your skills with industry demands, ensuring a smoother transition into executive roles.

In case you are unsure about which MBA field you should choose, explore the top MBA specializations of 2024 below to guide your career path:

marketer using a free marketing plan

Key Career-Focused MBA Specializations in 2024

1. Marketing and Analytics

Screenshot of the “business summary” in a sample marketing plan template

Marketing and Analytics has emerged as one of the most trending MBA specializations in 2024. This dual-focused specialization emphasizes developing your skills in several key areas including commercial advertising, developing robust business plans, analyzing latest market trends, and maintaining public relations, making you highly valuable in both MNCs and startups globally.

With the rise of digital marketing and data reliance, there is a high demand for marketing professionals with strong analytical skills. Pursuing an MBA in Marketing and Analytics can thus help you get various job roles such as:

Job Roles

Salary Range (per year)

Demand in the Job Market

Marketing Executive

₹2 lakh - ₹4 lakh

Rapid digitalization is driving recruitment of skilled professionals. More than 9000 job vacancies are available, paving the way for career growth

Business Development Manager (BDM)

₹6 lakh - ₹15 lakh

The demand for BDMs is expected to rise significantly over the next 5 years, offering lucrative job offers for qualified professionals across all sectors

Branding and Advertising Manager

Around ₹15 lakh

4,226 marketing professionals were hired in June 2024, implying increased demand for such personnel

PR Manager

Average annual salary of ₹8.05 lakh 

The PR industry in India is expected to grow by 11% annually, and is projected to reach ₹3,500 crores by 2027

Business Analyst

₹4 lakh - ₹9 lakh

Demand for business analysts is anticipated to increase by 11% from 2021 to 2031 as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Business Intelligence Officer

₹5 lakh - ₹12 lakh

More than 27000 jobs are available across Gurugram, Bengaluru and other Indian cities as these professionals play a critical role in organizational decision-making

Acknowledging the rising demand of the above listed job roles, getting an MBA in Marketing and Analytics will pave your way to getting good placements in different companies across FMCG, retail, tourism, banking, or hospitality industries. It will make you capable of performing various functions such as project structuring, analytical reasoning, problem-solving, leadership, and creative thinking, along with providing a deep understanding of data analytics.

2. Strategic Finance

Screenshot of the “business initiatives” section in a sample marketing plan template

A Strategic Finance MBA remains one of the most sought-after specializations in 2024, especially for individuals looking to thrive in the fast-paced world of finance. If you enjoy working with numbers and aspire to build a career in investment banking, financial planning, or corporate finance, this specialization could be your pathway to success. It equips you with the tools to analyze financial reports, manage portfolios, assess investment risks, and make data-driven decisions.

Graduates with an MBA in strategic finance often land in roles such as:

Job Roles

Salary Range (per year)

Demand in the Job Market

Financial Analyst

Approximate annual salary of ₹6.4 lakh 

India’s financial services industry grew by 7.6% in FY24, increasing hiring of financial analysts in the market

Investment Banker

₹15 lakh - ₹35 lakh

Top MNCs like IBM, Wipro, or Morgan Stanley are hiring skilled professionals in this role with higher salary packages

Corporate Financial Consultant

₹10 lakh - ₹25 lakh

The demand for financial consultants is increasing considerably at a CAGR of around 13-15% over the next 5 years 

Risk Manager

₹12 lakh - ₹30 lakh

As per SEBI 2020, the top 1000 listed companies should set up risk management committees (RMCs), ensuring the fierce demand for risk managers

A specialization in strategic finance provides deep insights into managing organizational finances strategically, ensuring long-term profitability and sustainability. Graduates can excel in roles involving capital budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring, making them invaluable assets in shaping a company’s financial direction.

3. Operations Management

Screenshot of the “target market” section in a sample marketing plan template

Operations management is also an in-demand specialization that helps you build skills for handling various tasks in today’s changing job market. These include strategizing, production and sales, resource management, task supervision, quality management, and other related functions which will contribute to your work experience exponentially. In case you are looking to expand your career prospects in this field, attaining an MBA specialization in Operations Management will be an appropriate choice for you. 

Specialization in this field will open diverse career options for you such as:

Job Roles

Salary Range (per year)

Demand in the Job Market

Quality Manager

₹3.1 lakh - ₹21.3 lakh 

Professionals with the right skills and knowledge in quality management have a huge demand in the Indian manufacturing sector

Business Process Manager

Average annual salary of ₹15.3 lakh

The Business Process Management market in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.70% from 2024-2032, increasing their employability

Production Manager

Average annual salary of ₹14 lakh

Experienced professionals are eligible to earn higher salaries, making it a lucrative career choice for aspirants

In India, the employment level of operations managers is expected to increase by  6%  by  2030. Hence, an MBA in Operations Management can help you attain better job roles with huge salary packages, boosting your career growth and achieving professional goals.  

MSU’s A-MBA Program

Screenshot of the “target market” section in a sample marketing plan template

Medhavi Skills University (MSU) offers cutting-edge MBA specializations tailored for aspirants through its new Accelerated Skill MBA (A-MBA) program. The University has launched CRUX (Centre for Reskilling, Upskilling, and Extension), offering best executive MBA specializations such as Marketing and Analytics, Strategic Finance, and Operations Management. It is a 15-month accredited online MBA program for working professionals with at least 3 years of experience, allowing them to pursue an MBA while working and have their prior learning recognized. If you are eager to enhance your skills and elevate your professional opportunities, associating with MSU’s CRUX can be the secret to your successful career. 

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