For business-minded professionals, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an almost certain path to career advancement and higher salaries. One of the main reasons for this is the confidence employers have in the skills of MBA graduates.
An MBA program builds foundational business and technical skills. But MBA graduates are also highly valued for “soft skills” such as communication, strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.
At Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business, MBA students advance their skills in these areas and beyond. With the MBA program’s attention to current and projected market needs, graduates can future-proof their career.
How Does Carleton’s MBA Prepare Grads to Meet In-Demand Business Skills?
According to the job search site Monster, the most in-demand skills employers in Canada are seeking in new hires include the following core MBA competencies:
- Problem-solving
- Financial management
- Business management
- Information management
- Human resources
Carleton University’s MBA program graduates are ready to lead in these and other crucial areas. For example, coursework prepares graduates to take an integrated management approach to solve complex problems. Additionally, this MBA program helps students develop expertise in the following subjects:
- Financial and managerial accounting
- Corporate finance, such as with investment decisions
- Financial management, including techniques for using data in decision-making
- Business management in international environments, including considerations for working across political and cultural boundaries
- Operations management, such as productivity, inventory and customer service
- Business ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- Business and information technology
- Organizational performance management
Monster also notes the high demand for candidates who speak multiple languages. According to Statistics Canada, nearly 13% of the Canadian population regularly speaks languages other than English or French at home, such as Mandarin, Cantonese and Punjabi. More than 70 indigenous languages are also spoken in Canada.
Globally, employers recognize the many assets of a multilingual workforce, including to ensure effective communication with diverse customers. Are you one of the more than 4 in 10 people in Canada who can converse in more than one language? If so, you may have an advantage over your competition in the job market, as well as leverage with compensation.
What Is the Job Outlook for MBAs in Canada?
Business skills gained from an MBA program are typically valuable in any market and country. A LinkedIn and Indeed job search for MBA graduates returned thousands of results for companies in key MBA markets, including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Following is a sampling of job titles in postings that have a stated preference or requirement for an MBA education:
- Business analyst
- Marketing strategist
- Director of operations
- Human resources manager
- Strategy manager
- Project manager
- Customer marketing manager
- Management consultant
A company with corporate headquarters in Vancouver and a global eCommerce platform simply put out a request for “talented MBA graduates” to get in touch.
What Is the Earning Potential for MBAs in Canada?
MBA salaries vary based on factors such as location, industry, job title and employer. According to PayScale, as of August 2022, the average base salary for MBA graduates in Canada is C$84,000. Following are some examples of MBA base salaries for various positions:
- Marketing manager: $75,380
- Senior business analyst: $85,447
- Finance manager: $86,123
- Management consultant: $86,951
- Financial controller $94,429
- Project manager, IT: $97,474
- human resources manager: $105,069
- Director of operations: $115,923
Carleton’s location in Ottawa offers MBA students added benefits. Ottawa is a G7 capital and the national hub for top aerospace, defence and security companies. As a global tech hub, Ottawa offers Carleton University’s MBA graduates opportunities to learn and work in fields such as cybersecurity, cleantech and sustainability, risk and compliance and communication technology.
Earning an MBA can enhance your management and leadership skills, giving you a faster path to high-level career opportunities and increased earning potential. Carleton University’s MBA online program is designed for working professionals, giving you the flexibility to start whenever you are ready while you continue to build your career.
Learn more about Carleton University’s online MBA program.