When you study for a South Dakota online MBA, you’ll likely need to choose a concentration for your studies. This concentration is similar to your college major and the progression of your coursework will be similar, too. That is, you’ll work through the core curriculum first. These courses will sharpen your existing skills, or perhaps will introduce you to new areas you hadn’t previously considered. Once you’ve completed the core curriculum, you’ll move on to your concentration. That will be a series of courses focused on one specific area of business, such as marketing or finance. Here is an overview of a few popular MBA concentrations in South Dakota:
Finance
A concentration in finance will enable you to work with your firm’s equity and debt to maximize the bottom line. As a finance expert, you might manage the firm’s equity portfolio as your primary function. Alternately, you might specialize in debt or in seeking credit for your firm’s future investments or expansions. Still other financial experts work with individuals to help them manage personal wealth and financial growth.
Another popular route for a finance concentration is investment banking. Your expertise will be highly valued in the world of mergers, acquisitions, and private equity among other specialty areas in the field.
Entrepreneurship/Innovation
If you’re a dynamic, creative person who’s constantly thinking outside of the box, you might consider this concentration. During your core curriculum, you can explore all the nuts and bolts of business, but this concentration will help you discover how to make your dreams a reality.
For instance, you might learn how to recognize the best opportunities, seek private equity, and perform your market research so that you know your idea will flourish. Other courses might focus on team-building and leadership. Once you’ve completed your online MBA, you’ll be prepared for the dynamic South Dakota business environment.
Marketing
Every firm needs someone who knows how to bring products to market. As you study, you’ll learn how to analyze market data with a keener discernment than you thought possible. You’ll learn more about advertising and how to apply what you’ve learned by studying demographics and market trends. Once you’re on the job, your firm will never need to worry about attracting customers for new products and services.
Data Science / Analytics
The field of big data has emerged from an environment of data mining and an increased focus on statistics and quantifiable analysis. This concentration might appeal to those who were mathematics or computer science majors in undergrad.
The demand for data scientists is going through the roof, so if this is an appealing concentration, you should seriously consider pursuing it. When you graduate, you might be immediately snapped up by a data science startup, a consultancy, or a Fortune 100 company who is eager to maintain their position in the market.
Communications
Business is a series of relationships that are maintained not only by financial ties but through interpersonal bonds. Those relationships are held together through effective communication. So, while finance, supply chain management, and data science all factor in to how well your organization operates, it all hinges on the quality of communication between individual players in any given scenario.
Your communication concentration will help you craft messages to smooth over various crises or to broadcast success. Your ability to hone internal memos, conduct interviews, and create the company newsletter will bolster morale and raise the bottom line. After all, a company’s quantifiable features are important, but they are also built and supported by less tangible elements, such as clear communication.