Top 5 California Salaries for Business School Grads
California’s a great place to jump into business grad school. Depending on what part of the state you choose, you got mountains, beaches, and endless sunshine. On top of that, California is among Forbes’ best states for business. California is 31st, in fact. And with the fifth-biggest economy in the world at $3 trillion, the state offers plenty of opportunity for those looking to make it in the world of business.
Continue reading…The 5 Best Part-Time California MBA Programs
Despite the various challenges of doing business in California, the Golden State remains a powerful driver of business and tech innovation in the U.S. The state even outpaces Great Britain’s GDP in 2018, making it the world’s fifth-largest economy.
For business leaders looking to advance their careers in California without interrupting their current gig, a part-time MBA might be the optimal choice. Let’s take a look at the five best part-time California MBA programs.
5 Best Part-Time California MBA Programs
The UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Evening and Weekend MBA program was named best in the nation by U.S. New & World Report in 2019. This part-time MBA degree is typically completed in two-and-a-half-to-three years, affording students easy access to the Bay Area’s plethora of internship and employment opportunities. The experiential learning focus of the program ensures students have ample opportunities to take on hands-on projects as part of their studies. Tuition for part-time in-state students is $3,363 per credit and $3,363 per credit for out-of-state students.
The UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Fully Employed MBA Program (FEMBA) has been touted as “#1 in SoCal” for over 20 years by U.S. News & World Report. Anderson FEMBA students have three choices when it comes to the scheduling of their part-time MBA: Classes all-day on Saturdays, Tuesday, and Thursday evening classes, or the hybrid schedule, which combines online study with one weekend visit to campus each month. Participants can expect to spend two-and-a-half-to-three years to complete the FEMBA (with both accelerated and extended study options also available). FEMBA has a distinctly international focus, with a diverse student body, access to international study opportunities, and a required international project. Tuition is $42,420 per year.
The USC Marshall School of Business part-time MBA is ranks among the top 15 in the nation, according to U.S. News. The degree is designed specifically for early-career professionals and managers looking for a flexible schedule. The curriculum is divided into core business courses, all taken in the first year, then over 100 electives from which to choose. First-year MBAs can opt for one of two campuses in Los Angeles proper and just outside the city limits. The program duration is three years, and both accelerated and extended are available. With “deep roots” in Southern California and a global alumni network, part-time tuition is $1,912 per credit.
Santa Clara Leavey’s School of Business Evening MBA ranks in the top five part-time programs both among California state schools and national Jesuit schools. With evening classes twice per week, participants can expect to take two years to earn their MBA and must have at least three years of related work experience to begin the program. Located in Silicon Valley, Leavey offers students prime geographic access to tech companies for networking and employment opportunities. Part-time tuition is easily among the most affordable of the high-ranking CA schools, at $1,108 per credit.
The part-time MBA at UC Davis’s Graduate School of Management ranks in the top 9 percent nationally (28th overall). Students take Friday and Saturday classes at campuses in either Sacramento or the Bay Area and can choose between a two-year and four-year pace for their degree. The flexibility in location allows students the option of access to professional benefits of Bay Area or Sacramento. UC Davis also boasts an 83 percent first-year ROI following graduation. Tuition for part-time students is $1,520 per credit for in-state and out-of-state applicants.
Beyond the ‘Big Four’: What are the Other Major Consulting Firms You Should Know?
Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and E&Y: Together these firms make up the “Big Four”—the four biggest professional services firms in the world. The companies offer auditing, assurance services, management consulting, corporate finance, legal services and more. It’s no surprise, that many of these companies are also ideal destinations for many MBAs. Continue reading…
The (Almost) Recession, Pursuit of Knowledge, and More – Los Angeles News
It’s Friday, ya’ll! Let’s dig into some positive Los Angeles news from the previous week. And for those that can, please donate to those who are being affected by the California wildfires.
The Housing Slump is Not (Yet) a Recession – Market Watch
UCLA Anderson School of Management Economist Ed Leamer, one of the largest voices in the housing market to share his concerns leading up to the 2008 recessions, was recently interview by Howard Gold at Market Watch, regarding a distinct slowdown in housing prices and the number of new homeowners.
“Of the 11 recessions since World War II, nine have been preceded by ‘substantial problems in housing and consumer durables,’ Leamer wrote in his 2007 research paper “Housing IS the Business Cycle.”
““If you look back to 1994 or so, you’ll see a period of time where it was pretty flat around 1.4 million units, up and down a little bit, but it was sustained for a long period of time at that level,” he continued. “If it got over 1.4 [million annually] you’ve got to start worrying about it” because it would be a sign of too much froth.”
Leamer continues, saying, “There’s no question in my mind that the housing sector’s going to be difficult over the next couple of years. The price appreciation is going to be a thing of the past. The higher interest rates are going to be a problem, and the change in the tax codes that affects several states is yet another source of problems.”
You can read more from Gold’s interview with Learner here.
Pursue Knowledge, Not Happiness, Advises Mihaylo Professor – Mihaylo News
Cal State Fullerton’s Mihaylo College of Business Marketing Professor Chiranjeev Kohli announced a forthcoming book that will address many of the pressing issues young MBAs face as they fully embrace adulthood—from the practical to the more elevated, such as harnessing willpower and discipline, and how to handle difficult relationships in the workplace.
Some of the guidelines Kohli sets forth are Investing: How to Attain Reasonable Success; Warranties: A Needed Security or a Wasteful Expense?; and Do Unto Others … Only if Others Treat You With Respect.
Chiranjeev Kohli (second from left) / Photo via business.fullerton.edu
In his recent talk at the Pollak Library, Kohli poses the question, “What is the most important thing that we are trying to pursue in this life? If you say it is happiness, I disagree. The ultimate frontier is the search for truth or true knowledge … If you live by this, happiness will follow. But if you seek happiness, you may never find it.”
You can read more about Kohli’s book and more here.
LMU LA Professor Receives Innovation Award for Entertainment Finance – LMU LA News
David Offenberg, Associate Professor of Finance at LMU LA, received national recognition with the Financial Management Association’s (FMA) Innovation in Teaching Award.
The Association recognized Offenberg for his work in entertainment finance. His methodology, which combines the hard skills of modeling and the soft ‘people’ skills of communication, impressed the awards committee.
“The real gift of this award is that it allows me to show my peers a more effective way to teach financial modeling … It’s so exciting to know that courses will change and student outcomes will improve as faculty adopt my way of teaching,” says Offenberg.
First launched in 2014, the Entertainment Finance course made available to business students concepts that had been heretofore only available to film majors. Tom Sheppard, a former student of Offenberg’s, attests to the value of his guidance.
“I had virtually no connections in the film and television industry going into the course as a senior … [but] by the end of the semester, I had a job lined up at Lionsgate Entertainment—even before graduating. In my opinion, it’s the most valuable class [at] LMU’s business school.”
You can read more about Offenberg’s recognition here.
New MBA Jobs: BCG, Merck, Adobe and More
There are hot new MBA jobs that need to get filled each and every week all over the world. Here are a few new openings for entry level and advance positions at a range of companies, and don’t forget to check out the best new MBA jobs right here on MetroMBA every week.
Top MBA Recruiters: Kaiser Permanente
Finding a job post-MBA is at once exciting and challenging. There are thousands of new opportunities before you that you’ll have to choose between, and that can leave you feeling overwhelmed. What happens if you choose Career A over Career B? Which employer will offer an MBA graduate the best perks and potential? What industry offers the most job satisfaction?
While there’s no single right answer, there are a few employers that stand out for MBAs. These are companies that actively recruit MBAs and have programs in place to enhance the first job experience. One such top MBA recruiter is Kaiser Permanente.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is a consortium of for-profit and not-for-profit healthcare entities based in Oakland, California. Founded in 1945, the company is made up of three distinct interdependent groups: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. (KFHP), Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and Permanente Medical Groups. Currently, Kaiser operates in eight states and one district (Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Washington DC) and is the largest managed healthcare organization in the U.S.
- 11.7 million health plan members
- 208,975 employees
- 21,275 physicians and 54,072 nurses
- 39 medical centers
- 720 medical facilities
- $72.7 billion in revenue
- $3.8 billion in net income
What Is Kaiser Permanente Like for MBAs?
As the largest healthcare organization in the states, Kaiser Permanente has many unique opportunities available for MBA graduates. Not only does the company host internships each summer, but they also offer multiple early career opportunities lasting anywhere from six months to two years in a variety of areas from finance to marketing, sales, and administration.
The great part about choosing Kaiser Permanente as an MBA is that it means you don’t have to choose between a health insurance company and a hospital. Kaiser rolls together health plans, hospitals, and medical groups all in one, allowing MBAs to test their skills in a variety of settings. And hire they do, each year Kaiser hires hundreds of MBAs to fill positions throughout their organization.
As for working at Kaiser, 83 percent of employees say it’s a great place to work offering great challenges (86 percent), great atmosphere (89 percent), and great rewards (88 percent). Some of those rewards include unique benefits and perks such as KP WELL (KP Women Embracing Life and Leadership), which is a program to help women learn, connect, and develop their experience. Kaiser is also known for having a healthy workforce with multiple programs and tools for keeping their employees healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
It’s no wonder that Kaiser ranks 16th overall on the Great Places to Work list of the ‘Best Workplaces in Health Care and Biopharma in 2018,’ and ranked 43rd on the Great Places to Work list of the ‘Best Workplaces for Diversity in 2017.’
Among other benefits of working for Kaiser is a healthy salary. According to PayScale, MBAs can expect to earn around $108,000. However, salary varies based on experience and job with Executive MBAs earning $149,000, and MBAs with focuses in business administration earn $112,000.
Several of the most prominent business schools to offer a healthcare-focused MBA include:
- The Wharton School – Health Care Management MBA
- Columbia Business School – Health and Pharmaceutical Management MBA
- UCLA Anderson – Health Care Management MBA
The Kaiser Permanente Careers Search
MBAs should first consider a summer internship during on the Kaiser Permanente careers search. These internship programs are in a variety of locations, including California, Washington, and Oregon. In particular, MBAs should consider the Business Functions Internship, or Northwest Internship programs.
Both internships last 10 to 12 weeks (typically June through August) with recruiting from January to April. As interns, MBAs work on real-world projects and initiatives, like developing and analyzing financial data, supporting technology initiatives, and conducting market research. Areas of interest for the corporate internships include:
- Finance
- National facilities services
- Human resources
- Internal audit services
- Marketing
- Sales
- Service and administration
Join Kaiser Permanente’s University Talent Network to learn more.
After completing an internship, MBAs can join Kaiser in one of its many early-career opportunities programs. There are multiple programs available including:
- Marketing & Sales Program: One year working on marketing and sales strategy while also undergoing professional development through job shadowing, exposure to leadership, and educational experiences.
- Finance Fellowship Program: This two-year fellowship consists of three rotation assignments and is designed for new graduate candidates interested in a finance career.
- California Administrative Fellowship Program: This 12-or-24-month fellowship consists of two or three rotations at medical centers around Northern or Southern California.
What Does Kaiser Look for in MBA Candidates?
When hiring MBAs for a full-time position or internship opportunity, Kaiser looks for individuals with technical, business, and leadership skills. In particular, candidates with strong leadership, agility, quantitative, and communication skills are highly sought after. For consideration, you need a strong interest in the healthcare industry.
To get started, search for Kaiser Permanente careers here.
