Can You Change Careers with an MBA?

Can You Switch Careers with an MBA?

It’s possible to transition careers with the help of an MBA, and this is a popular choice for professionals hoping to do something new. In the Graduate Management Admission Council’s (GMAC) Prospective Students Survey 2026 report on post-GME career aspirations, which is based on 4,253 people who were researching or applying to graduate business programs in 2025, 26% of candidates said they hoped to switch job functions after business school, and 22% hoped to switch industries. Another 31% were interested in entrepreneurship. GMAC also reports that over the past decade, the share of candidates aiming to switch job functions or industries has declined, while interest in entrepreneurship has risen.

But completing a graduate degree isn’t a surefire way of launching a new career. Whether it’s the right transition for you depends on your education, experience, skills and interests. An MBA might complement your current strengths and give you enough information to transition to a new industry or a new position in a familiar industry. If you want to use an MBA as a jumping-off point, it’s helpful to have a clear view of your post-MBA goals and how your combined experience will help you reach them.

How Might You Change Your Career Trajectory with an MBA?

An MBA can support several kinds of career change. Knowing which one you’re making helps you choose a concentration and decide where to focus your internships and networking.

An MBA isn’t the right choice for all career changes. Sometimes, it is better to pursue a master’s degree in a specialized subject or a professional degree. For example, an MBA alone won’t qualify you to become a certified public accountant (CPA) or a lawyer. In New York, a CPA license requires meeting education, examination and experience requirements, among others, according to the New York State Education Department (verified October 15, 2026). If that’s your goal, read about making the move into accounting before choosing a degree. In California, practicing lawyers must be licensed by the State Bar of California (verified October 15, 2026). If you’re torn between business and law, compare an MBA and a JD. But if you hope to work in a business role in a variety of industries, an MBA might work well to kick off your transition.

What Are the Best MBA Concentrations for Career Changers?

If you are interested in switching careers with the help of an MBA, look into MBA concentrations that best fit your career aspirations. Many U.S. MBA programs let students specialize through concentrations or majors, and programs typically begin with core business classes in subjects such as finance and marketing, according to GMAC. Alongside the core topics of a business degree, a concentration lets you focus on the area of business closest to your intended function or industry. The best MBA concentration is one that moves you closer to your goals, so some concentrations will suit you better than others if they align with the roles you hope to have in the future. This could mean entrepreneurship if you hope to own a business, or a management concentration if you hope to lead a team at a company.

Some MBA concentrations are listed below. To show what each field covers, most descriptions draw on the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) Classification of Instructional Programs, which describes what programs in each field of study teach.

• Strategy: General business master’s degrees ordinarily develop a strategic mindset and decision-making under uncertainty, according to AACSB’s 2026 accreditation standards. A strategy concentration may suit you if you want to focus on high-level decision-making or independent consulting.
• Management: Business administration and management programs prepare students to plan, organize, direct and control the functions of a firm or organization, with instruction in management theory, human resources management, accounting and marketing, according to NCES. A management concentration may fit if you hope to lead teams or departments.
• Corporate Finance: Finance programs prepare students to plan, manage and analyze the financial aspects of businesses and other organizations, covering topics such as capital planning, budgeting, financial analysis and investments, according to NCES.
• Operations: Operations management programs prepare students to manage a firm’s physical and technical functions, including production systems, productivity analysis, cost control and materials planning, according to NCES.
• Marketing: Marketing programs cover consumer behavior, marketing research, pricing, advertising and sales management, according to NCES. If you want to pursue a career as a marketing manager or director, an MBA with a marketing concentration might be the right fit.
• Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship programs focus on developing, marketing and managing a new business, according to NCES. This focus may suit you if you are interested in starting your own business or founding a startup.
• Information Technology: Management information systems programs prepare students to provide and manage an organization’s data systems, with coursework in data storage and security, business networking and information systems policy, according to NCES.
• International Business: International business programs prepare students to manage international businesses and operations, with instruction in export sales, trade controls, foreign operations and doing business in specific countries and markets, according to NCES. This focus may suit you if you are interested in a career with an international scope.

If you think you’re ready for a change, but you aren’t sure which direction is right for you, learn more about growth for various industries and positions. Get an idea of possible job offers you might receive after an MBA. It helps if you understand your career outlook and potential salaries before investing in a graduate degree.

5 Ways to Use Your MBA to Change Careers

Still wondering whether an MBA is worth it? Doing well in your MBA program might not be enough to guarantee you enter a new industry or get a new position, so it helps to be prepared to take advantage of your time working on an MBA by embracing career development and everything else the school has to offer. If your goal is job offers after an MBA, you may want to do more than just studying. Below are some options to consider.

1. Internships

To make the most of an MBA, apply for internships related to your prospective industry or position. Two-year, full-time MBA programs are common in the U.S., and longer programs often build internships and other practical experience into the program, according to GMAC. An internship is your opportunity to get real-world experience in a position, industry or geographic area that interests you the most. It also may provide some experience on your resume when the time comes to apply for positions. If you plan to study part time or online while you work, ask each school how students in your format gain hands-on experience in a new field.

2. Career services

Before applying to business schools, look at each institution’s career services office. Some will focus on specific industries, geographic areas or types of positions. Also, look into each school’s job placement statistics. You might be able to earn your MBA at a school that offers a lot of connections in your prospective industry.

3. Networking

Business school can widen your professional network, though how much depends on the format. Full-time programs offer extensive opportunities to work in teams and build connections, while part-time and online formats offer fewer opportunities to build connections with classmates, according to GMAC. Take advantage of getting to know professors, staff members, alumni and industry leaders through networking events. Also, don’t let your LinkedIn profile go to waste. You have time during an MBA to establish relationships with professionals in your future industry.

4. Mentorship

Look for someone more experienced, such as a professor, an alumnus or a professional in your target field, who can offer career advice and guidance. A mentor can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, work on necessary skills, and connect you with other professionals in the industry.

5. Soft skills

MBA programs typically begin with core business classes in subjects such as finance and marketing, according to GMAC. But to succeed in your future role, your soft skills may come into play, too. It may help you to learn to be organized, diplomatic, empathetic, trustworthy, a critical thinker and a swift decision-maker. If you want to be an entrepreneur or advance in an executive career, these are some of the defining skills that can make you a good leader.

Choosing an MBA Format When You’re Changing Careers

The core content of an MBA is largely the same whether you study full time, part time or online, but the formats differ in how much room they leave for internships, networking and work, according to GMAC’s guide to choosing a study format. GMAC notes that MBA programs draw experienced professionals who want to move into more senior positions or pivot into new areas.

A Career Pivot Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

There are a variety of full-time and part-time, in-person and online MBA programs that you can explore as you think about advancing your career. General business administration programs cover a range of subjects, from management and accounting to marketing and business decision-making, according to NCES. An MBA won’t make you a marketing expert, but it may help you become a marketer who understands the full impact your department has on a business. An MBA won’t turn you into a CEO overnight, but it may give you the business acumen to start your own company. It all comes down to how you apply what you’ve learned.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Careers with an MBA

Is it too late to get an MBA to change careers at 35 or 40?

Not necessarily. Changing careers is a more common goal among older business school candidates than among younger ones. In GMAC’s 2026 career aspirations report, 38% of candidates ages 31 to 39 and 32% of those 40 and older said they hoped to change job functions or occupations, compared with 10% of candidates 22 and under. If you plan to keep working, part-time and online formats are designed to let you study alongside your job.

Can you change careers with an online MBA?

Yes, but plan for the trade-offs. Online MBAs are the most flexible way to earn the degree and let you keep working, but they leave out some of the in-person elements of the MBA experience, according to GMAC. Hybrid programs that add in-person time can help you build your network. Whichever format you choose, lean on your school’s career services, alumni and mentors, and look for projects or internships in your target field.