In order to make the right decision for you as an individual, you will want to consider a variety of factors, including curriculum flexibility, institutional reputation, U.S. News & World Report rankings, alumni success, peer student feedback, and more.

Ultimately, you are seeking to answer the questions “What will be the return on my investment?” and “Will a Master of Engineering Management degree help me achieve my career goals?”

Here are examples of desirable career paths that combine technical engineering expertise with a management background.

Business Intelligence Analyst / Data Analyst

Responsibilities for a Business Intelligence Analyst, often referred to as a Data Analyst, include producing financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Through their research, they devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

Over one-third of Business Intelligence Analysts report that a master’s degree is required for their position. Median annual wages for this position were $88,510 in 2017. Projected growth for Business Intelligence Analysts is 5%-9% by 2026.

Management Consultant

Management Analysts, often called Management Consultants, propose ways to improve an organization’s efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues. Management Consultants travel frequently to meet with clients, and in doing so vastly expand their own professional network.

Fortunately, employment of Management Consultants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2012 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for Management Analysts was $82,450 in May 2017. Demand for the services of these workers should grow as organizations continue to seek ways to improve efficiency and control costs.

Production, Automation, and Manufacturing Engineer

Individuals from a wide variety of academic backgrounds can pursue a career in this expansive sector. Frequently, Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, and Industrial Engineers secure high potential positions in this arena. Job responsibilities can include eliminating wastefulness in production processes, improving safety, integrating automated technology, designing manufacturing operations, and more.

Projected employment growth in this area is steady or faster than average depending upon one’s specific emphasis. Median annual wages for engineers in manufacturing were $97,250 in 2017. Individuals working in these roles work either in offices or in the settings they are trying to improve.

Supply Chain Manager

Daily activities of a Supply Chain Manager include coordinating production, purchasing, warehousing, and distribution. Additionally, Supply Chain Managers seek to streamline processes in order to limit costs and improve accuracy, or customer service. In short, they are in charge of all aspects of inventory.

More than 79,000 job openings are projected by 2026, so many companies will be seeking to fill this type of position. Median annual wages for this position were $105,610 in 2017. Employment growth in this sector will be driven by the need for logistics in the transportation of goods in a global economy.

Technical Sales Engineer

The role of a Technical Sales Engineer is to improve the market share of a company’s product or service by securing new customers and building a portfolio of clients. Doing so requires an understanding of customer requirements and the ability to clearly communicate technical information to non-technical individuals.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Technical Sales Engineer jobs are part of Job Zone Four, which indicates that considerable preparation is needed to be competitive as a candidate for this type of position. Median annual wages for this position were $98,720 in 2017. Typically, Technical Sales Engineer roles include the ability to enhance earnings beyond a foundational salary by meeting performance goals.

If these dynamic career paths are of interest to you, please contact us. We can give you helpful details about our Master of Engineering Management program, including the opportunity to learn about the successes of our alumni and the chance to connect with current students.

Data sources:

O*NET Online

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics