The alluring world of management is enticing enough to attract students from all disciplines alike, science, commerce and humanities.
Most MBA students have not just qualifications in commerce and economics, but also in science, technology, finance, and media, consulting and even military. The MBA degree offers specialisation to help students gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in different domains of business. It is no wonder that the specialisations in management are getting broader and more comprehensive each year, with over 30 streams available in India to choose from.
As the domain of business diversifies and changes colours, the prospects of specialisations too alter over time. What was highly relevant years back may not hold a promising future some years hence. So instead of settling for the established or safer path, why not explore some new and exciting (yet rewarding) options?
Let’s look at 6 emerging MBA specialisations that hold amazing potential in the times to come.
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1. Communication Management
At the intersection of interpersonal skills, communication, analytical thinking and creativity, lies the field of marketing and communications. An MBA in Communication Management will help you equip yourself with the skills to leave your mark in all communication-driven careers, such as advertising, brand communication, public relations, media and entertainment management, marketing and digital marketing.
This course prepares you for managing strategic marketing and communications in an organization, with a focus on learning brand management, marketing research and analytics, digital communications management, advertising, media management, corporate communications, and more.
Communication Management Colleges in India
Some of the institutes offering MBA in Communication Management or Media Management in India are-
- Mudra Institute of Communication Arts, Ahmedabad (MICA)
- Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and Bangalore
- Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai
Career Opportunities in Communication Management
Once you graduate, it opens up opportunities as Brand Manager, Copy Writer, Media Marketing Professional, Creative Director, Social Media Manager, Content Marketing Manager, Public Relations Professional, Advertising Professional, Digital Marketing Manager, Marketing Communications Manager, Sales Manager, Corporate Communications Manager, Marketing Analyst, Market Researcher, and many more.
Opportunities are available in marketing agencies, advertising agencies, media houses, event management companies, PR agencies, brand consulting agencies, FMCG, retail and e-commerce companies, etc.
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2. Fashion and Luxury Brand Management
With an expanding global market for fashion and luxury brands, there is a great requirement for professionals who understand the management, heritage and culture of luxury and fashion goods and services. Individuals with great innovation and creativity with skills in media, product design, brand experience and service development are in great demand in global fashion and luxury brands sector. Newer brands are looking for creative people who can use innovative marketing campaigns to establish their brands and help them compete with established ones. The older brands want to explore newer markets that are beyond their traditional domains.
Luxury Brand Management Colleges in India
A number of institutes have introduced Fashion and global luxury brand management courses in India, some of them being:
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
- P Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai
- Pearl Academy of Fashion, New Delhi
- Luxury Connect Business School, Gurugram
Career Opportunities in Luxury Brand Management
Upon successful completion of this course, you can be absorbed as product manager, branding and marketing consultant, visual merchandiser, communication and PR managers, marketing managers, fashion retail manager for luxury brands.
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3. Agri-Business Management
The agricultural sector makes a 23% contribution to our GDP. Despite being a predominantly agricultural economy, India still has the most nascent agricultural practices and needs a scientific and systematic approach for an overhaul. Agribusiness is a sub-field of business management that deals with making a profit from agriculture and corporate farming. It involves the management of agronomic equipment and technologies, raw materials, crop production, suppliers, workforce, seed supply, as well as marketing and retail sales of agricultural products.
Urban Farming and green farming are upcoming trends in India, which are shifting back the focus back to farming, making it an extremely promising sector in the years to come. An MBA degree in Agribusiness offers golden opportunities to be involved in various areas of agriculture such as finance, production and land management.
Colleges for Agriculture Management in India
Some of the institutes offering courses in agriculture management studies in India are:
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow
- Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai
- Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Pune
- Amity Institute of Organic Agriculture, Noida
- Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, Mumbai
- Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University (VBSPU),Jaunpur
- National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad
Career Opportunities in Agri-Business Management
After an MBA in Agri-Business, you can look forward to a career in business analysis, international business, banking and lending, farm or ranch management, financial consulting, commodity trading or agri-marketing. You can look at employment in both the private and the government sectors (organisations such as NABARD, FCI or FACT). Besides, you always have the option of setting up your own agribusiness. There are great work opportunities abroad as well in the agricultural sector.
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4. Sustainable Development Management
The atrocities done on our planet with the increasing pressures of urbanisation and development necessitate the integration of sustainable development. Sustainable development is one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Till a few years back, sustainability management meant only compliance with government rules and regulations, but now its scope has broadened considerably. Today a sustainability manager needs to contribute to important business decisions based on long-term business goals involving social impact as well.
An MBA in Sustainability Management revolves around environment safety, industrial equipment management and their environmental impact and compliance, business ethics, CSR, and making business processes sustainable for the longer term.
Colleges for Sustainable Development Management in India
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow
- NITIE, Mumbai
- Xavier School of Sustainability, Odisha
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
- The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), Delhi.
Career Opportunities in Sustainability Management
Students can find employment in a wide variety of businesses. Though it is early days for sustainability as a core business tenet in India, it is sure to become a part of the DNA of every global company quite soon. People with a science or engineering backgrounds should look towards it with greater interest.
Job opportunities in this management specialisation exist as Ecologist, Sustainable Development Manager, Environmental Manager, Energy manager, Nature Conservation office, Environmental Education Officer in the Private sector, international non-governmental organizations and government departments.
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5. Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is a collaborative approach to getting the goods or services from your company to consumers. It involves managing efficiently the processes of sourcing or procuring, distribution, warehousing and inventories management. With the increasing globalization of businesses, e-commerce advancement, an abundance of product variety, an upsurge in demand for professionals of supply chain management has come to the fore. There is a greater insistence on personalized content and services for customers here also now.
Colleges for Supply Chain Management in India
Some of the colleges where you can study Supply chain management in India are:
- Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune
- IIFT, Delhi
- Amity University, Noida,
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai
Career Opportunities in Supply Chain Management
Employability potential of supply chain management graduates is quite high as supply chain management is the next big thing in the Indian industrial setup. You can look forward to a placement in any business- retail, manufacturing, FMCG, healthcare, transportation and logistics or even e-commerce- they all thrive on the expertise of Supply Chain and Logistics.
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6. Aviation Management
The Indian Aviation Industry has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years and is expected to grow further at a compound rate of 24%. With over 350 airports being constructed in India, demand for thousands of aviation management and airlines enterprise management professionals has been created. Aviation management is all about putting to use the principles of management to ensure a smooth and safe operation of airlines and airports.
Colleges for Aviation Management in India
Some institutes/universities that offer management courses in aviation are:
- Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta and Indore
- CMS Business School, Bangalore
- Dr DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Knowledge Management, Chennai
- University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun
- Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai
Career Opportunities in Aviation Management
With an MBA degree in Aviation, you can seek to enter into Aerospace, Aviation Fuel Companies, Regulatory Authorities, National and International Airlines, National and International Airports, Air Cargo Operators, Allied Aviation Service Providers etc. You can hold roles in Aviation, including working as Airport Manager, Ground /Flight Crew, Operations Manager, Air Traffic Control Manager, Aviation Instructor, Air Cargo Dispatch Manager, Air Transport Manager, etc.
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Summing Up
All of these fields hold great potential in the times to come. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore options, for they hold great promise for the future!
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