Building A Career At The Emory Goizueta Business School
Even after you’ve stepped off the stage with diploma in hand, the hard work of an MBA continues. Despite the massive advantages an MBA can provide for those entering the job market, the process of searching for and applying to jobs—not to mention finding your dream job—can often be as much as hard work as earning the degree itself.
Hot MBA Jobs: Program Analyst
If you are passionate about a range of topics, narrowing down a single career path can challenging. This is especially understandable given that the MBA education typically provides a strong and broad base of business knowledge. How can you help focus such a broad education into one career? If you have a strong business background as well as technological skill, you might want to consider a role as a Program Analyst.
With a job outlook that projects 21 percent growth to 2024 (a rate much faster than other industries), a position like Program or Computer Systems analyst could be perfect for someone with strong management skills and experience with technology.
What does a Program Analyst Do?
A program analyst is responsible for the design, development and implementation of an organization’s computer programming. Job responsibilities of a Program Analyst typically overlap with the jobs of a systems analyst and computer programmer. On the systems analyst side of the job, Program Analysts design and create software and computer systems, whereas Computer Programmer skills are used to implement the designs through the actual writing, updating and maintenance of existing programs. Program analysts should be able to stay on top of trends in technology so that an organization’s systems can be kept appropriately up-to-date.
The exact role of a program analyst will vary depending on the organization. Analysts may work with a particular computer system, whether financial, scientific or engineering, and find ways to customize the program for client. Analysts will also typically prepare cost analysis and help management determine how to create a system that is financially possible.
Top Skills for a Program Analyst
Problem Solving: Program Analysts will be required to work alongside clients to understand the need of each organization, and tailor the software to meet these needs. They must then develop software appropriate for each individual client, while also working within financial constraints.
Software Design and Fundamentals: A program analyst must have a strong foundation in software development, as they will be writing new programs, maintaining computer systems and perform repairs when necessary. Analysts must also stay up to date with professional and technical knowledge, often through attendance at educational workshops or participation in professional societies.
Analyzing Information: Program Analysts must be able to analyze many different sets of information, from the needs and constraints of a specific organization to the financial feasibility of the software they create.
Program Analyst and the MBA
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum education required for a role in program analysis, especially in a computer-related discipline such as engineering or mathematics. Mostly, a candidate must prove that they have the technical experience and skills required for the position.
Earning an MBA can be a great way to demonstrate technological aptitude while still revealing a strong base of business knowledge. Entering the field with an MBA can give applicants a competitive edge in the job market, while also proving management skills that may lead to long-term job growth. The average pay for the position in 2015 was $85,800 per year.
Best MBA Programs for a Career as a Program Analyst
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Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University: At the Kellogg School of Management, data analytics is offered a part of the MBA program. In addition, a number of executive programs are offered with a broad range of analytics-related focuses.
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DeGroote School of Business – McMaster University: The DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University offers a number of classes tailored to students interested in the business analytics field. Last year, the school launched a new Executive MBA in Digital Transformation, which will serve as another option for students looking to focus their education on big data and strategic decision making.
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Fox School of Business – Temple University: The MBA program at Temple’s Fox School of Business offers many facets which focus on business analytics and data interpretation. Each year, the school’s Global Center for Big Data in Mobile Analytics hosts a “Big Data Conference”, along with regular publication of business research.
What Do You Need To Know When It Comes To Group MBA Interviews?
The goalposts for group MBA interviews are constantly shifting. For years, we at MetroMBA and Clear Admit, as well as other provincial publications, have been dishing out valuable advice for how to prepare for it. And for those familiar, one of the key points to remember is constantly being familiar with the changes.
Hot MBA Jobs – Nonprofit Fundraiser
It goes without saying—everybody likes making money. But while everyone loves some extra change in their bank accounts, some really get a sense of accomplishment working directly for a cause or nonprofit corporation.
Top MBA Recruiters: Berkshire Hathaway
When considering where you want to work, there are a lot of things that come into play. Do you want to work in a small startup or a large multi-national corporation? Do you want variety or do you want to become an expert in a particular field? Do you want prestige or would you rather be a worker-bee? The good news is that there are organizations that can fit any desire, including Berkshire Hathaway.
MBAs and Google: How to Get an Inside Track
We all know about Google. We use it in our everyday lives to accomplish all sorts of tasks. Finding out what time the NBA Finals are on tonight, discovering a new recipe to cook, or learning more about an interview subject are all made possible thanks to the world’s most powerful and user friendly search engine.
But what about all the time, effort and business-savvy that goes into a company like Google? Plenty of that comes from new MBAs hired by Google each year. Continue reading…
