Inside, you’ll find a breakdown of the four most popular industries for business school graduates—along with the key roles, skills, and progression opportunities in each.
Gain expert career advice from business school careers professionals, plus real-world insights from alumni working in top roles across these industries.
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Business Careers After Graduation: What You Need To Know
⇨ More than three-quarters of employers are confident in business school’s ability to prepare graduates for success
⇨ 29% is the projected annual growth rate of AI from 2024 to 2028, which will drive demand for AI-skilled professionals across industries
⇨ Verbal communication, presentation skills, and active listening are the most important communications skills to comms-concerned employers
5 Career Paths You Could Embark On After Graduation
1. Consulting
Consulting remains one of the most popular career choices for business school graduates—in part thanks to high salaries, fast career progression, and exposure to a wide range of industries. The generalist MBA curriculum is a good fit for aspiring consultants, with hands-on learning experiences such as consulting projects and case competitions helping students apply their skills to real-world business challenges.
Landing a role at a top consulting firm such as Big Three firms McKinsey, BCG, or Bain can come with an average base salary of $190K, rising to around $250K with performance bonuses.
2. Technology
Tech is a great sector for those who want to be close to innovation. Whether you’re working on digital transformation or building products used by millions, the industry offers exciting roles in areas such as product management, strategy, and operations.
It’s a top choice for business school grads—45% of millennial MBA graduates say it’s their preferred sector. With strong salaries and a reputation for better work-life balance, tech continues to be a leading post-MBA destination.
3. Finance
Finance is a classic post-business school career path, offering high salaries, fast-paced progression, and a seat at the table with top executives. From investment banking and asset management to venture capital and corporate finance, the sector spans a wide range of roles for ambitious grads.
It’s an ideal career path for many business school graduates. 43% of Gen Z prospective business school students list finance as their preferred career, and MBA graduates from top programs such as Columbia, Harvard, and MIT Sloan report average starting salaries of $175K or more in the financial sector.
4. Consumer Goods
If you want to work with products people use every day—food, fashion, or personal care—consumer goods could be your ideal path. This fast-paced sector offers roles across marketing, product management, supply chain, and more, with opportunities to directly influence how brands connect with consumers.
It’s a competitive space, but one that values creativity, commercial awareness, and the ability to keep up with shifting consumer trends. Many business school grads enter through structured leadership programs or high-impact internships that can lead to long-term careers.
For more info about what it's like to work in these key industries, as well as career advice from experts, download our Business Careers Guide: Expert Advice On Your Job Options After Graduation
