Elevate Your Career: The Transformative Journey of Carlson’s Full-Time MBA
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Thinking about pursuing your Master of Business Administration (MBA) as a means of developing your skills and potentially advancing your career? It’s important to understand that not all MBA programs are created equal. By taking the time to find an MBA program that suits your needs, learning style, and professional goals, you can set yourself up for success.
At the University of Minnesota (UMN) Carlson School of Management, we take pride in our top-ranked, Full-Time MBA program. With a UMN MBA, your experience with us is about more than just earning a degree. Instead, it’s a journey of career acceleration, leadership development, and networking—all of which are critical in today’s increasingly competitive job market.
The Value of a Master’s in Business Administration
The right master’s in business administration degree can open doors to higher-paying jobs within your field, including leadership and management roles. Likewise, the skills acquired in an MBA program can enhance your strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making—which could increase your career flexibility and give you the opportunity to pivot into new industries.
The Importance of Professional Development
Why is professional development important, anyway? In the competitive business market, pursuing additional skills, degrees, and designations beyond what’s considered “standard” is an excellent way to set yourself apart and even establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. Meanwhile, taking advantage of professional development opportunities empowers you to gain business skills that could qualify you for more advanced and specialized roles.
The Carlson Full-Time MBA Advantage
At UMN’s Carlson School of Management, our Full-Time MBA program is designed for recent college graduates or early-career professionals who are looking to enter or change career paths. This program includes a rigorous and career-focused curriculum with the ability to be completed in as little as two years. As a top-rated MBA program by U.S. News & World Report, our Full-Time MBA allows you to customize your coursework to suit your career goals and interests with an intimate class environment that facilitates deeper connections with professors and peers.
Curriculum Designed for Impact
Our 64-credit MBA curriculum includes core courses that are designed to lay a solid business foundation, including:
- Financial Accounting
- Organizational Behavior
- Business Ethics
- Financial Management
Aside from the above courses, this program offers more than 100 elective courses spanning 15 specializations—including Food & Agribusiness, Sustainable ESG Management, and Information Systems & Digital Transformation—so your MBA reflects your goals. Examples of elective courses include:
- Business Law
- Responsible AI
- Financial Modeling
- People Analytics
- Personal Financial Management
Whether you’re interested in consulting, entrepreneurship, business analytics, or anything in between, you can explore a number of elective courses as part of your MBA program—including hands‑on healthcare projects through the Medical Valuation Lab and Medical Industry Leadership Institute. Prefer a deeper quantitative edge? The STEM‑designated Management Science MBA layers in statistical modeling, programming, analytics, and forecasting, and may qualify eligible international students for the 24‑month STEM OPT extension.
Enterprise Programs: Learning by Doing
In addition to core and elective course options, students in the Full-Time MBA program will have the opportunity to explore hands-on learning experiences through the Carlson School of Management’s unique Enterprise Programs, intended to help build leadership skills and marketability. These real-world engagement opportunities bring students unique chances to collaborate with real companies on meaningful projects, bridging academic learning with practical experience:
- Brand Enterprise – Students work with companies on marketing strategies.
- Consulting Enterprise – Students solve business problems for real clients.
- Ventures Enterprise – Students gain experience in entrepreneurship and start-ups.
- Funds Enterprise – Students manage investment funds and financial strategies.
Personalized Career Coaching and Support
In keeping with our dedication to your career success, UMN is also proud to offer personalized career support throughout your entire time in our program. This includes a wide range of career center resources like:
- Resume workshops
- Mock interview practice
- Networking events
- One-on-one career coaching
Additionally, our Carlson Business Career Center offers customized career guidance and job search strategies to help students find internships, jobs, and other opportunities.
Global and Experiential Learning Opportunities
The University of Minnesota also works with various job and networking boards, providing MBA students with access to different platforms that can help them explore national and even international career opportunities. Taking advantage of opportunities for global exposure, MBA students and graduates can learn valuable skills while enhancing their career prospects and expanding their professional networks beyond borders.
Specifically, UMN MBA students choose from one of three global enrichment options as part of their program. They can:
- Complete a Carlson Global Institute Graduate Student Program (including faculty-led abroad programs and exchange programs).
- Participate in the MILI 6997 Global Valuation Lab Program in the Bay Area.
- Complete a 4-credit “glocal” course on-campus or online, with available topics ranging from international marketing to global operations strategies.
Career Outcomes: How Carlson’s MBA Accelerates Growth
How could earning your master’s in business administration from UMN prepare you to advance your own career? Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you contemplate whether our MBA program is right for you.
The ROI on an MBA Degree
First, consider the increased earning potential and rapid career progression that you could enjoy with a UMN MBA under your belt. In fact, according to an article in Fortune, the average starting salary for MBA graduates in 2022 was $120,000, which is a 57% higher salary than those with a bachelor’s degree alone.
The Carlson School’s Full-Time MBA graduates achieve even stronger outcomes, with a 3-year average starting base salary of $131,972 and an average signing bonus of $32,636. Likewise, those with MBAs are more likely to advance into higher-paying and more prestigious roles, including executive roles and jobs in senior management.
Job Placement and Employer Connections
UMN is proud to maintain corporate partnerships with companies in finance, technology, healthcare, and consulting—including those with Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and beyond. These connections, combined with our Full-Time MBA program’s 3-year average job placement rate of 91% within three months of graduation, make this an excellent choice for professionals who are ready to advance in their careers.
Access to Internships and Real-World Consulting Projects
UMN’s Full-Time MBA program also allows access to internships, consulting projects, and other opportunities where students can apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world experiences. These projects can enhance comprehension while helping you build core skills that can improve your career prospects after graduation.
Leadership Development and Networking: A Crucial Part of the MBA Journey
Aside from building foundational knowledge in the classroom, our MBA program also centers on leadership development and networking opportunities that can translate to improved career prospects down the road.
How an MBA Builds Leadership Skills
One of the most crucial takeaways from our MBA program is the ability to effectively and confidently lead teams. As part of our curriculum, students have plenty of opportunities to learn about topics such as team management, strategic decision-making, and leadership styles to drive business success. These experiences can help prepare you to take on leadership roles that entail solving problems, motivating teams, and making critical decisions on a daily basis.
The Power of Networking in Professional Growth
Another unique benefit to attending UMN’s Full-Time MBA program is having access to the Carlson School of Management’s extensive alumni network, which can introduce opportunities to connect with CEOs, executives, and other respected thought leaders within the industry. These kinds of professional connections can often lead to mentorship opportunities, career advancement options, and even job offers—so take advantage of these networking options during your time in school.
Mentorship Programs
Speaking of mentorship, students in UMN’s MBA program may also have the option to connect with successful alumni for mentorship experiences. This can be a great way to gain valuable career guidance and insight into what to expect after graduation.
The Importance of Continuous Professional Development
Even after you earn your MBA, professional development is something that should never cease for as long as you want to continue advancing your career prospects. That’s because the business world is constantly changing and evolving, with new trends and emerging business technologies impacting the industry on a daily basis. By committing to a lifetime of continuous learning and development, you can stay on top of new trends as they arise while remaining a relevant and valuable asset to any employer.
More specifically, you can continue your professional development by staying current with industry trends and adapting to such emerging business technologies as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. You may want to consider pursuing specialized designations and certifications, as well as dedicated leadership training, to build upon your skills and knowledge even further.
No matter where your career takes you, however, you can rest assured that the Carlson School of Management will remain committed to your development even after you’ve graduated and joined our group of alumni. With ongoing access to continued learning opportunities, special alumni networking events, and leadership summits, you’ll remain supported as you embark on the next steps in your career.
Is Carlson’s Full-Time MBA Right for You? Learn More!
There’s no shortage of MBA degree programs out there, but if you’re serious about finding a program that you can tailor to meet your interests and professional goals, UMN’s Full-Time MBA program has you covered. Set yourself up for long-term success with a curriculum that’s career-focused, and join a talented community that will expand your network while supporting you every step of the way.
Located in the Twin Cities, a vibrant metropolitan hub with a rich cultural scene and abundant business opportunities, the Carlson School fosters a palpable entrepreneurial culture that inspires innovation across classrooms, internships, and beyond. Our program brings you the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the world while giving your career a significant boost.
Get in touch to learn more about our MBA program today. Ready to apply? You can begin your application for admission.