Reading Time: 5 minutesTechnology is one of the fastest-growing industries in America. It touches all aspects of business in the 21st century. It is not surprising that the technology industry is hiring more MBAs today than it ever has. As a matter of fact, some universities, such as the University of Washington Foster School of Business and the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business have sent more MBA graduates into technology work than finance in the past few years.
Sponsored School(s)
If you are graduating with an MBA and are considering a technology career, here are five of the hottest tech centered MBA jobs you can land with your business degree:
1. Cyber Security Analyst
Cyber security analysts are responsible for planning and carrying out security measures that protect the computer systems and networks of an organization. These technical professionals need to have both technical and business skills to complete the following tasks:
- Monitor the networks of their organization for breaches in security and investigate violations when one happens
- Research the newest IT security trends
- Write reports that describe security breaches and the damage caused
- Install and use cyber security software, including data encryption and firewalls to protect company information
- Work with business managers and related employees to ensure best security practices are being followed
Cyber security is largely a technical world, but at its core, this field is about business and people. It is about providing security, but also about understanding business and people, so a cybersecurity MBA or undergraduate degree is a major benefit, especially one that specializes in IT and/or cyber security.
See more about Where Do Cybersecurity Experts Work?
Professionals with an MBA and technical skills will find themselves in strong demand in this job in the future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds job demand will rise 28% by 2026, which is much faster than average.
The median salary for cyber security analysts is $92,600, with the top 10% earning more than $147,000 per year.
Check out these job titles:
2. Data Analyst
One of the hottest jobs today for professionals with a data and business background is data analyst. Data analysts are responsible for translating a large amount of data into plain English for non-technical people to understand. Every business today is collecting huge amounts of data, including sales figures, market research, transportation and logistics.
The basic job of a data analyst is to analyze this large amount of information in company databases and use it to make more effective business decisions. This can mean determining how to set prices for new materials and products in the market, how to cut transportation costs, solving business challenges that are lowering revenues, and even determining how many employees should work at a certain time.
The company will typically present the data analyst with a business problem, and the worker will study the data to determine areas of improvement. He or she will collect data from various sources in the company to make the problem more easily understood. It is important to be able to identify and interpret major trends, assess the quality of the data and eliminate anything that is irrelevant.
According to Payscale.com, the average salary for all data analysts is $57,600 per year, with a range between $40,500 and $81,900. Typically a undergraduate or MBA degree in data analytics is preferred.
Check out these job titles:
- Data Analyst
- Data Analytics
- Data Manager
- Data Scientist
- Data Warehouse Engineer
- How to Score a Career in Big Data
3. Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analysts use analytical and mathematical techniques to help companies to solve business problems and make better decisions through the proper use of technology. With an MBA and a technical background in operations and logistics, you will be responsible for the following:
- Identifying and solving business, logistics, healthcare and technical problems
- Collecting and organizing business and technical information from computer databases, sales records and feedback from customers
- Collecting input from employees who are working on various aspects of a problem, or from other stakeholders who have specific knowledge
- Examine technical and business information to determine what is relevant to the problem, so you can develop a practical solution to a business problem
Operations research analysts work in all aspects of a business. They assist managers to determine how to best allocate resources, develop effective production schedules and how to effectively manage their supply chain.
The job outlook for operations research analysts is excellent with 27% job growth expected by 2026. This is much faster than average. As technology continues to advance and businesses look for cost savings and efficiency, demand for people in this field with an MBA and a business operations background should only grow.
The median salary for operations research analysts in 2016 was $79,200. Professionals with an operations management MBA and many years of experience can earn up to $132,000.
Check out these job titles:
- Business Operations Manager
- Director of Operations
- Operations Analyst
- Operations Management
- Operations Manager
- Operations Officer
4. Database Administrator
A database administrator is an expert with specialized software to organize and store data, including financial information and customer shipping information. Database administrators ensure that data is available to customers and users, and is secure from any unauthorized entities. With a business, data and computer technology background, you will have the following responsibilities:
- Ensure the data for the organization is secure
- Backup and restore company data to prevent any loss of critical information
- Identify the needs of users to create and manager new databases
- Make sure that databases are operating in an efficient manner
- Maintain information in databases and perform updates of permissions
- Merge older databases with new ones
The outlook for employment for DBAs is good, with 11% job growth expected through 2026, which is faster than average. Growth in the field is being driven by more companies needing better data analysis in all areas of the US economy.
The median salary for database administrators in 2016 was $84,900, and those with the most experience and education earned $129,000.
Check out these job titles:
5. Computer and Information Systems Manager
Computer and information systems managers are often called IT managers or IT project managers. They are charged with planning, coordinating and directing all computer-related work in a company or organization. With their high level of technical and business skills, they determine what the business goals of the company are and how to achieve them through the appropriate use of technology:
- Analyze business and technical needs in a company and recommend computer and technology upgrades for upper level management
- Plan and direct how computer hardware and software is maintained and installed
- Assess what the costs and benefits of new projects are, and justify funding them to upper level management
- Determine the personnel needs for the IT department for the long and short term
- Negotiate business contracts with vendors to get the best level of service for the technology needs of the company
Most computer and information systems managers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. But to become a manager of a large IT department, it also is beneficial to have an extensive business background. For those who want to get into an executive position such as CIO eventually, earning even an Online MBA will suffice depending on the company.
The job outlook for computer and information systems managers is strong and will grow by 12% by 2025, which is faster than average. Demand for computer and information systems managers with business skills will increase as companies are expanding operations to digital platforms.
The median salary for these IT workers as of 2016 was $135,800, with the most educated and experienced earning more than $200,000 per year.
If you have an MBA in Information Assurance or MBA in Technology Management or MBA in Information Technology and a specific set of technical skills, you should be able to land one of the hot technical jobs above. After all, professionals with a solid mix of both technical and business skills are very valuable to employers in the 21st century.
Check out these job titles:
- Information Specialist
- Business Systems Analyst
- Information Systems Careers
- Information Technology Manager
- Information Technology Specialist
References
- Operations Research Analysts. (2017, Oct. 24). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm#tab-5
- Google, Amazon and Microsoft Hiring MBAs. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.businessbecause.com/news/mba-careers/4679/google-amazon-microsoft-hiring-mbas-us-business-schools
- Best Technology Jobs. (2016). Retrieved from https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-technology-jobs
- Best Technology Jobs for Business Savvy Professionals. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/blog/best-technology-jobs-for-business-savvy-professionals/
- Computer and Information Systems Managers. (2017, Oct. 24). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm#tab-5
