Request Info
Need more info? Complete our quick Request More Information form and get informed today.
Master's Degree in Business Intelligence vs. MBA:
Which is More Relevant to Today's Workplace?
The world is exploding with information. Every day, thousands of new computer networks come online. Millions of new digital devices are streaming into the hands of consumers, and businesses around the world are collecting mountains of data. According to leading tech firm, EMC, the world will experience a six-fold increase in the sheer amount of stored information between 2006 and 2010. You can check out EMC's information clock and fact-filled whitepaper here.
The implications for business and industry are huge. How should companies navigate this increasingly complex ocean of information? How will they make decisions in a pell-mell global economy? How will they compete against emerging market forces like India, Russia, China, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim? One thing's for sure. The successful companies of tomorrow will need intricate tools and expert personnel to guide them to financial success.
One strategy will be to hire Business Intelligence Analysts. Even as a steady stream of MBA graduates enter the market, there is a growing need for experts in the field of Business Intelligence. Which begs the question, which is the more marketable, more relevant degree program for aspiring executives, a traditional MBA or a Master's in Business Intelligence?
MBA programs focus on the "meat and potatoes" of running a business. Some offer specializations such as Accounting and Leadership, while others hone in on specific industries such as Healthcare, Engineering, and Internet commerce, and their value can’t be denied. In 2007 MBA graduates could demand to $92,000 in base salary. That's certainly nothing to sneeze at for middle-management executives looking to move up.
But Business Intelligence degrees have several distinct advantages over traditional MBAs. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the forward-looking nature of the profession. As any corporate executive will tell you, big profits are waiting for those who can predict market trends. Business Intelligence Analysts utilize sophisticated business forecasting models to keep companies moving in the right direction. They integrate data from a multitude of arenas including industry trends, customer preferences, supply chain issues, currency fluctuations, and market demand. Using intricate computer models, they predict how these complex and interacting forces will affect the market and specifically, their business. These predictive models and quantitative decision-making tools offer a powerful advantage over less-informed competitors.
But given the historic prestige of MBAs, can Business Intelligence degrees compete? Walker Fenci sure thinks so. According to Fenci, a regional managing director at Spherion Corporation, “Business Intelligence is going to be huge next year because the space is growing, and it’s hard to find people with their skill set. They analyze data and get the information back into the database, which will become a trend in helping target customers.” You can read the rest of Fenci's analysis in Courtney Carpenter's article at EE Times.
In addition, salaries are rocketing to new heights. According to the 2008 salary report from corporate recruiting giant Robert Half, Business Intelligence Analysts can expect a base salary of up to $108,250 in fiscal year 2008. That's nothing to sneeze at either.
Traditional MBAs have a legitimate place in the business world. With a long track record of productive contribution, they're not going anywhere anytime soon. But the bottom line is that in today's marketplace, Business Intelligence degrees are more marketable and more profitable for business executives. Where will the trend in Business Intelligence degrees lead us? Maybe we should ask a Business Intelligence Analyst.
