The business landscape is in a state of rapid evolution. Groundbreaking advances in technology, including robotics and AI, coupled with responses to climate change, are drastically reshaping how corporations function. Today, employees equipped with a forward-thinking, contemporary skillset hold a premium value.
Business schools are actively responding to this shift by modifying their programs and curriculums, ensuring they sufficiently prepare their students for such transformative changes.
This response is especially noticeable with the recent introduction of several innovative master’s degrees in business. These programs aim to train a new generation of professionals capable of meeting the challenges and intricacies of tomorrow’s workplace.
But what exactly are these innovative programs, and how can they potentially prepare you for the impending revolution in the world of work?
Master’s in Business Analytics: A Degree for the Data-Driven Future
Professionals equipped to utilize analytics tools to achieve favorable business outcomes are highly coveted in today’s market. Indeed, the power of analytics can propel companies to uncharted territories, giving them a competitive edge.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a significant surge in the demand for business analysts over the next decade. The number of roles is projected to grow by approximately 14%, almost doubling the average growth rate across all occupations.
This growing popularity has stimulated the introduction of numerous master’s programs in business, each dedicated to enhancing this vital specialty.
A forerunner in promoting innovation is Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. They offer a variety of specialized master’s programs designed to instill transferable skills and prepare students for the evolving workplace.
Syracuse’s M.S. in Business Analytics embodies an action-oriented ethos. The STEM-designated Master of Science in Business Analytics aims to equip you with the competencies necessary to become a data-driven business leader and decision-maker.
Business analytics synergizes statistics, information technology, and business coursework to support informed business decision-making.
The curriculum features an Analytics Applications Core with courses like Accounting and Marketing Analytics, and an Analytics Depth Core with courses such as Linear Statistical Models and Time Series Modeling and Analysis.
Obtaining an M.S. in Business Analytics could significantly enhance your earning potential. In North America, business analysts possessing a master’s or doctoral degree earn approximately 17% more than those with undergraduate degrees occupying the same roles, as highlighted in a report*.
*Based on data from Indeed, the estimated annual salary for a junior business analyst in New York ranges between $76,000 and $100,000.
Master’s in Entrepreneurship: Nurturing Visionaries for the Digital Age
A master’s in entrepreneurship is tailored to equip students to become pioneering thinkers, enabling them to transform their visions into reality and utilize disruptive technologies amidst the digital revolution.
During such a program, you will establish a solid understanding of financial principles, acquire leadership skills, and foster innovation and creativity—all crucial ingredients for a thriving business.
Whitman’s Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) is segmented into four distinct career tracks: New Venture – managing an independent company; Social – initiating and administering a socially focused company; Corporate – operating an existing company; and Family – running a family-oriented company.
Courses like Managing Innovative Products and New Ventures and Managing Sustainability: Purpose, Principles, and Practice equip students with a comprehensive understanding of modern business establishment, encompassing sustainable practices and transformative technologies.
Take the example of Kelsey Davis ’19 G’20, an alumna of the M.S. in EEE program. She leveraged the innovative skillset she acquired to become the co-founder and CEO of CLLCTVE, a platform dedicated to connecting underrepresented talent.
Davis had formulated this idea prior to her time at Whitman, but her M.S. program enriched her understanding of innovation and business within a contemporary context. It provided her with a transferable skillset she continues to employ.
As Davis articulates, “Whitman provided me the space and an incubation year, where I was in a position to test a multitude of assumptions about my company and had the opportunity to work on my business while I ideated and created in real time.“
Master’s in Supply Chain Management: Navigating the Digital Transformation
Supply chains are undergoing rapid innovation, and the digitalization of these networks requires novel skills and knowledge to incorporate and innovate with the latest technologies.
Obtaining a master’s degree in supply chain management can help you establish a promising career amidst the swiftly evolving supply chain landscape across various industries.
The popularity of a Master’s in Supply Chain Management is on the rise. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), applications to such programs worldwide saw a significant increase of 46% in 2021.
Whitman’s groundbreaking Master of Science in Supply Chain Management prepares students with the tools to enhance supply chain efficiencies. At the same time, it prepares graduates to make impactful contributions in the marketplace.
The curriculum fuses classroom learning with practical experiences, enabling students to build a robust knowledge base while honing their strategic thinking skills. The analytical competencies acquired through the program also assist graduates in comprehending the implications of business decisions.
Recent alumn Shubham Krishna G’23 particularly appreciates the hands-on learning elements of the program.
“My favorite parts of the program so far have been case studies on public companies and simulation experiences in the coursework,” he shares. “These make the subject matter more engaging and applicable.“
Krishna has been able to apply the skills he’s learned during an internship as a supply chain coordinator at Airial Robotics, a gyrocopter manufacturing company.
“I was able to apply the inventory management skills I learned to structure the supply of key components for the category,” he remarks.
In addition to nurturing invaluable expertise among its graduates, these specialized master’s programs offer another significant advantage, particularly to international students in the U.S. Degrees with STEM designation qualify these graduates, like Krishna from India, for an extended work period before the requirement of applying for a visa kicks in.
These master’s programs provide an excellent opportunity for ambitious individuals to position themselves at the forefront of the business world’s future. They open doors to global opportunities, boost earning potential, and offer access to a network of like-minded professionals.
If you’re seeking a degree that promises growth, innovation, and a competitive edge, explore these master’s programs today.
Remember, the future belongs to those who prepare for it. So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the opportunity to shape the future of business.
Begin your journey now by exploring these master’s programs at Whitman’s School of Management.
Your future awaits!