Dreaming of a career pivot or a long-overdue career change? If so, then it might be time to return to school for your Master of Business Administration (MBA). As one of the most versatile degrees, an MBA can help you build career-ready skills that translate to a wide range of industries. And with the flexibility of an online MBA, you can work towards your degree without putting your professional life on hold.
Before you enroll in an online MBA program, however, there are some things you need to know about setting actionable goals and choosing a program that aligns with your long-term career aspirations.
In most cases, working professionals electing to return to school for an MBA are looking for a way to develop and translate their skills — not necessarily to carry out a total career reset. With this in mind, choosing a business administration master's program that focuses on building adaptable and versatile skills is crucial.
When choosing an MBA program, students should also be thinking about their long-term desired outcomes and how they align with what employers in the modern workplace are looking for. This will vary based on your specific industry, desired role, and compensation targets, but it's still worth thinking about in the early stages of exploring MBA program options.
As you consider returning to school for an MBA degree, you'll also want to consider the skills you already have that may readily translate into a new industry, as well as the gaps you seek to fill with a formal education.
Depending on the industry in which you've been working, you may already have some skills that could translate to a business role. Experience with problem-solving, organizational leadership, and project management can all go a long way in the business world, as can basic interpersonal and executive communication skills.
Meanwhile, other skills and experiences may potentially be reframed for business roles. Even technical skills can signal to future employers your ability to adapt to new technologies and software.
Some skills, of course, are simply hard to acquire without formal business education. This is where an MBA can play an important role in filling skill gaps, particularly in areas like:
Finally, keep in mind that an MBA alone cannot possibly fill every gap you may need to make your career change. A degree alone, for instance, doesn't directly demonstrate an applicant's ability to solve complex business problems or lead teams. This is where building industry relationships and crafting a professional portfolio with tangible results (including project-based work and case studies) can make all the difference in demonstrating value and impact to potential employers.
Struggling to envision what your career transition may look like with an MBA? Here are a few practical steps you can follow to build a workable and flexible career thesis:
One of the biggest challenges professionals run into when trying to choose the best online MBA for their needs is deciding on a specific specialization or concentration within the business field.
Here are some common MBA concentrations to consider, along with potential career paths for each.
An MBA in finance or accounting may be ideal for those with non-finance backgrounds who are looking to transition into roles in management consulting, financial analysis, and accounting. Over time and with enough experience, professionals with this type of leadership or management degree may even be able to move into executive leadership roles (like Chief Financial Officer).
Another specialization to consider in an MBA program is that of marketing. Specifically, an MBA in marketing can help professionals with limited experience prepare for roles in brand management, brand marketing, sales, and public relations with the long-term potential to move into marketing management and director roles.
As businesses continue to rely on data to make informed decisions, the need for professionals with dedicated business analytics knowledge has also increased. If you're interested in working with data, an MBA in analytics could prepare you for such roles like business analyst, data scientist, or analytics manager.
For organizations looking to optimize efficiency and resource allocation, MBA-educated professionals with specialized skills in operations and supply chain management are strongly preferred. In an MBA with an operations/supply chain concentration, professionals can build career-ready skills to prepare for roles in supply chain logistics, operations leadership, and process improvement.
Another popular MBA concentration to consider (especially for those who enjoy working with people) is one in human resources or leadership. Specialized MBA management or HR coursework is designed to prepare graduates for fulfilling roles in organizational development, human resources, talent acquisition, and labor relations.
What if you're interested in launching your own business and forging your own path in the business world? Dedicated MBA programs in entrepreneurship can empower professionals with the strategic planning, business acumen, and finance skills needed to build successful businesses from the ground up.
In addition to knowing how to choose an MBA concentration, many professionals seeking a career change to business will also pursue certifications to further demonstrate their skills and industry knowledge.
The key with this, of course, is to stack the most relevant credentials without diluting the value of the MBA itself. Upon completing a certification, professionals are also encouraged to update their portfolios with a new artifact that directly maps to the certificate itself.
As you consider online programs, you'll also want to look closely at the MBA admissions requirements and the process involved in applying so you know what to expect. Some key considerations to keep in mind here include:
Of course, not all prior work experience will transfer to an MBA degree. Incoming students should be prepared to buckle down and learn about essentials such as:
One of the most common questions prospective MBA students have is, "How long will it take to start seeing a positive MBA ROI?" Ultimately, the MBA payback period can vary greatly based on many factors, including:
Ultimately, many professionals who move into MBA jobs will see long-term ROI through a higher salary compared to their previous roles. In fact, according to a Fortune article, MBA grads in areas like consulting, finance, tech, and healthcare routinely make six-figure salaries.
To help you get a better idea of what to expect from your MBA ROI, consider checking out this free MBA return on investment calculator.
Even while you're still in the midst of your MBA curriculum, there are some proactive steps you can take to prove your value and demonstrate your strengths to potential employers, such as:
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of returning to school to earn your MBA as a non-business major? The process doesn't have to be so stressful, especially when you have a 90-day action plan in place. Follow these steps below to get the ball rolling on your own career change:
A quick search of online MBA programs yields numerous results, but narrowing down the specific option that's right for you can be challenging. As you explore your options, there are some specific considerations to keep in mind (and red flags to watch for) that can help you make a more confident choice.
Take a close look at the curriculum of a prospective MBA program. Specifically, look for career-focused coursework in core topics, such as:
Next, look beyond the curriculum to evaluate the student support services available through the program. Ideally, you'll want to select a program that offers dedicated advising, career services, and coaching from enrollment to graduation and beyond.
Not all online programs are created equal. Look for the learning format that suits your needs, whether it be a 100% asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid option. Also ensure that you map your time in the program to determine how long it should realistically take you to complete.
Review testimonials and stories from alumni to get a better feel for what graduates from your prospective programs are doing with their careers. If your MBA program has special connections or established relationships with local employers, this may be an even better sign.
At Indiana Wesleyan University, our MBA for non-business majors is designed for working professionals who are ready to take the next steps in their careers. With skills that transfer across a wide range of industries, graduates from our Master of Business Administration program are prepared to confidently embark on any number of rewarding business career paths.
Learn more about our master’s of business administration program, offered through IWU's DeVoe Division of Business, by getting in touch or reviewing our admissions requirements here. Ready to take the next step toward your future? You can begin your online application for admission now. Interested in other programs at IWU? Get help finding your ideal program today.
Yes, when the program is credible, and you can demonstrate outcomes. Employers care about skills, projects, leadership evidence, and how you communicate impact — format matters less than proof.
Project management, communication, stakeholder coordination, data-informed decision-making, and process improvement often translate well. The MBA helps you frame these as KPIs, budgets, and business results.
Industry-specific credibility and tool fluency often do not transfer automatically. You may need targeted experience, certifications, or portfolio projects that show you can perform in the new function.
It depends on the region and role. Finance, analytics, and certain operations roles can pay well, but the best ROI comes from choosing a track you can execute with strong hiring signals and measurable impact.
Yes, if the certificates align with your target role, and you can turn them into portfolio artifacts. Avoid stacking too many; one or two targeted credentials usually outperform a long list.
Estimate total cost, define your target role and salary range, set a payback window, and identify leading indicators you can track (interviews, internal promotions, project outcomes) within 6–12 months.
Sometimes. If you already have strong business exposure, a focused certificate, bootcamp, or targeted projects may be enough. An MBA is most valuable when you need broader business fluency, credibility, and leadership development.
