Which MBA concentration? (skills, schools, best, credits) - Higher education - City-Data Forum

98stage2 · 01-12-2009, 09:48 AM

I'm looking at 3 different MBA concentrations, all through the same school, Campbell University. What are the pros and cons of concentrations in : Management, Finance, and Marketing? Does any one typically stand out above the others? Anything else I should consider? Thanks in advance.

StealthRabbit · 01-14-2009, 10:31 AM

I'd do Finance for the best latitude in future job market and 'lifelong' learning skills. Mgmt & Marketing are pretty dynamic fields (change a lot), and can be specific to your chosen employment sector. If you have a particular 'bent' (preference, skill, experience) you might get more mileage out of expanding that area.

canam01 · 01-22-2010, 09:23 AM

Hi guys - not to hi-jack this thread, but I too have been accepted into an MBA programme but can't decide between finance and healthcare management. I see some major benefits to both. Any advice would be welcome!

Sgoldie · 01-22-2010, 09:42 AM

Deciding on a concentration has a bit to do with your personality.

Marketing for instance would be best for someone with was outgoing and who wanted to start out in sales. Finance would involve more calculus and be good for someone who wanted to deal with investing and the stock market and analysis. General community banking is a seperate concentration. Management would be an overview that would best be heavily loaded with accounting courses. Healthcare management is a specialty that is in demand. Another concentration that is new is one for CIO (information officer) in which one would concentrate on computer systems.

Soconfused2011 · 10-11-2011, 10:38 AM

I am currently working towards my masters and I currently work at an HR outsourcing firm. I started to do my MBA and concentration in HR because I am at an HR firm. I have heard different people say things like that's a waste of time because most jobs would rather me do the certification. So now I am confused as to what to do. I currently administer 401k benefits for fortune 500 companies and I like the finance part of it and I realize I am really good at finance. I am considering changing my concentration. I only have a couple weeks to decide because I start my HR concentration classes soon. Someone please help. What should I do. I want a promising career and I don't want to regret my decision.

lilyflower7 · 10-18-2011, 12:33 AM

What concentration you pick as an MBA student depends solely on what you'd like to work in. Do you like lots of numbers, want to work in banking, etc? If so, pick finance. Do you like people, could you see yourself doing a tour in sales or account management? That's marketing.

Personally, I'm doing a dual concentration in pharmaceutical management and marketing and it seems to be paying off already (I graduate this spring) but my prior background is 7 years in the pharma industry with a lot of work in scientific and clinical research.

NJBest · 10-18-2011, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilyflower7

What concentration you pick as an MBA student depends solely on what you'd like to work in. Do you like lots of numbers, want to work in banking, etc? If so, pick finance. Do you like people, could you see yourself doing a tour in sales or account management? That's marketing.

Personally, I'm doing a dual concentration in pharmaceutical management and marketing and it seems to be paying off already (I graduate this spring) but my prior background is 7 years in the pharma industry with a lot of work in scientific and clinical research.

How many credits is your double-concentration MBA? Majority of my experience is in the pharma industry as well.

lilyflower7 · 10-18-2011, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJBest

How many credits is your double-concentration MBA? Majority of my experience is in the pharma industry as well.

Same as any MBA at my school which is 60 total. We have a rather huge credit requirement for graduation after finishing the core so a lot of people dual concentrate. The most common overlaps I see are Pharma Management and Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain, and Pharma Management and Supply Chain. I do know of a few people that actually did THREE concentrations but I'm pretty certain they had to take extra classes to do that.

NJBest · 10-18-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilyflower7

Same as any MBA at my school which is 60 total. We have a rather huge credit requirement for graduation after finishing the core so a lot of people dual concentrate. The most common overlaps I see are Pharma Management and Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain, and Pharma Management and Supply Chain. I do know of a few people that actually did THREE concentrations but I'm pretty certain they had to take extra classes to do that.

Thx, Now if only I could decide on a school.

lilyflower7 · 10-18-2011, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJBest

Thx, Now if only I could decide on a school.

If you want to do pharmaceutical management, I'd highly recommend Rutgers (particularly if you're in NJ). Drexel and BU also have pharma programs as well. I don't know if there's any other programs out there in pharma management.

However, if you want to do something completely different and go into finance, then definitely look at the "top tier" schools - NYU, Wharton, Harvard, Kellogg, etc.