The vast majority of MBA graduates usually get jobs in consulting or finance. Every fall, the recruiting season starts, and the games begin to see who will get the best internship offers. But what about the rest of the class?
Not every MBA graduate plans to use their degrees to switch to Goldman Sachs & Co., and that's fine. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about entertainment and media as a "non-traditional" career path after business school.
What do admissions committees look for?
Let your passion serve as the foundation of your application if you want to pursue a career in entertainment and media. Because just around 3% of MBA grads work in this field, use this to your advantage. Make sure your story makes sense as your top priority. You must demonstrate why an MBA, not an MA or an MFA, is the appropriate degree for you. Your application has to demonstrate that you are aware of how vital the financial aspect of entertainment and media is in addition to the creative and performance aspects.
Have you run your own production firm, had an acting career, or held magazine internships? All of these are respectable experiences that you want to emphasize in your application. Although future consultants and bankers may theoretically fill every seat in a class, schools would like to fill the gaps with students from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets. This is where you can stand out.
What positions could you apply for after an MBA in Media and Entertainment?
You could apply for a wide range of occupations, both formal and informal. You must be fairly tenacious in your job hunt for the majority of these positions. Many job opportunities won't have a formal timetable like those in banking and consulting and will instead be found through word-of-mouth and recommendations.
Large streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, for instance, have a division called Content Strategy and Acquisition. They are staffed by former consultants and bankers with MBAs who close deals to determine what content their platforms ought to create and distribute. Such positions are hard to find, in great demand, and require astute networking.
On the other hand, other positions have hiring procedures that are more conventional, programs for rotational leadership, for instance. MBA candidates are hired by major media conglomerates like Comcast and Warner Media for 2-year programs that prepare them for director positions in areas like ad sales operations, brand partnerships, and consumer insights.
Due to the unusual recruiting cycle, students interested in media and entertainment jobs will find it more difficult than others to navigate recruitment. In the closing weeks of the spring semester, it's not unusual for students to locate summer jobs. Stay connected with your peer network to keep up with new possibilities that arise during the academic year.
What organizations or clubs should you focus on while on campus?
How then should you organize your time on school to maximize your chances of success? First of all, universities that provide an MBA in Media and Entertainment will have a specific club for the media or entertainment industry. Some will have several in specialized fields like music business clubs or sports business clubs. Here, students interact with their classmates who may have prior knowledge of this topic and who may put you in touch with professionals working in the field today. These groups frequently arrange club gatherings with major entertainment and media enterprises.
Next, check out the courses that are offered at the prospective school. You may explore what the instructors are working on and perhaps even take a peak at current syllabi in some schools' entire department devoted to media and entertainment. Media M&A, influencer marketing, and film financing are a few of the courses offered.
Lastly, research potential in-semester internships. In the event that you are unsure of what you want to do after graduation, this is a solid risk-hedging strategy. While obtaining job experience in media and entertainment during the academic year, you can also search for more conventional summer internships. These programs are often offered by businesses in major areas like LA and NYC.
What are the best programs for an MBA in Media and Entertainment?
A breakdown and list of our favorites are described here.
Why USC Marshall is the Best MBA Program for Media and Entertainment
Best Business Schools for an MBA in Media and Entertainment