MBA opportunities put African-American students on fast track careers

Black Collegian, Oct 1999 by Johnson, Brent E

The public sector of our economy (the not-for-profit organizations) offer career opportunities as diverse and challenging as those found in the private sector. The knowledge base and skills set typically acquired through MBA study can be used quite effectively in most organizations within this sector. In recent years career opportunities for MBAs have been increasing in areas like foundation management, arts management, higher education, association management and community and economic development.

Many of you have determined that quality of life issues, environmental issues, etc., are more important than salary and other compensation. The importance of doing something with socially redeeming value has moved many of you toward careers in some of these public sector areas. Often not-for-profit organizations will be smaller than many forprofit organizations, thus offering an MBA the opportunity to use broader skills and obtain diverse and valuable experience because jobs are not as narrowly defined.

Since the fall of communism and the emergence of Eastern Europe as one of the new growth sectors in the worldwide economy, international career opportunities have experienced tremendous increases. Look further to other parts of the world for historic events which have created additional opportunities, such as South Africa and the entire African continent, the Pacific Rim, Western Europe, and Brazil. Most national companies are now doing business in the international arena and need employees to staff these areas. Access to international opportunities is predicated on your degree of readiness. For example, becoming fluent in a second or even third language will be a great start. An international internship is also great preparation. Also, you should study the region of the world you're interested in all you can, to make yourself somewhat of an expert. All of these factors, coupled with your obvious ability as an African American to relate to Second and Third-World cultures, will help to maximize your career opportunities in the global arena.

Starting salaries have certainly kept pace with the increase in career opportunities. New MBA's with three to five years of post-baccalaureate work experience prior to pursuing a full-time MBA program can expect salaries in the $60k to $70k plus range with plenty of additional perks. Of course, compensation will depend on the job and the industry you choose, so conduct your own research and select the opportunity that is going to help you reach your goals.

The next millennium holds great promise for those prepared for it. An MBA degree offers a level of preparation sufficient for you to position yourself for a variety of opportunities. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) both have Web sites on the Internet that provide a wealth of information on MBA careers. Career opportunities abound for MBAs. Make sure that you take full advantage of the current market.

Brent E. Johnson is the assistant dean and director of the MBA Program, School of Business Administration, Clark Atlanta University.