Leveraging a Full‑time MBA For a Successful Career 

Pursuing a Full-time MBA offers immense opportunities for personal and professional growth. While developing a global mindset, finding your voice as an inspirational leader, and opening the door to exciting career pathways, you’ll also significantly boost your earning potential.

But how do you choose an MBA pathway that provides maximum ROI while preparing you for success in your chosen career?

Senior Associate Director at Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business, Jacob Winston-Galant, believes that students should leverage both the resources offered by their school and their own personal motivation to maximize the benefits of their MBA experience. 

The Broad College of Business’s Full-time MBA program offers a rigorous, flexible curriculum that prepares students to tackle complex challenges and lead with confidence and clarity. Jacob outlines the industries with the best salary outcomes for graduates, how the program’s emphasis on experiential learning and leadership influences career growth, and how you can boost ROI during your MBA.

The Best-Paying Sectors For MBA Graduates in 2025

The best MBA programs prepare graduates to lead across multiple industries. Yet, according to Jacob, the strongest salary outcomes at Broad College of Business are found within three key sectors. 

“Our strongest outcomes are related to the supply chain management function,” says Jacob. (00:35) “We also see strong results in the consulting industry, as well as the tech industry,” he adds. (00:58)

Broad MBA graduates consistently land high-level roles across a wide range of industries. These include companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and PepsiCo, among others.

An Elite, High-Payback MBA Program

Historically, Broad College of Business has been regarded as having one of the shortest payback times among all MBA programs in the United States. With rising tuition fees and living costs across the country, the Broad Full-time MBA continues to provide maximum ROI for students.

The school’s location helps reduce the financial burden from the outset. The cost of living in East Lansing is well below the national average. From housing to everyday expenses, students benefit from a more budget-friendly lifestyle.

The Impact of Experiential Learning and Internships

A key aspect of the Broad Full-time MBA is the influence of the program’s approach to experiential learning and internships. These bridge the gap between knowledge and practical skills, exposing students to real-world scenarios and familiarizing them with the kinds of complex challenges they’ll face during their careers.

As Jacob explains, “We engage with students very early on in the process… to help ingrain the importance of pursuing an internship experience for the summer, in between the two years of their MBA program.” (01:45)

“That starts with one-on-one, individualized attention during their summer, leading up to MBA orientation, where they hear from MBA alumni across all different functions and industries,” he adds. (02:03)

Jacob is also keen to emphasize that Broad is one of the few business schools in the U.S. that provides a credited MBA career management course. This offering develops students’ networking and professional communication skills, enhancing their job search success during the fall recruiting cycle.  

Maximizing ROI with Broad College Scholarship Opportunities

While international students are not eligible for U.S. federal financial aid, the Broad MBA program ensures that all admitted students, regardless of citizenship, are automatically considered for merit-based MBA funding. This includes scholarships and fellowships awarded based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and professional experience.

Moreover, Michigan State University’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) offers scholarships specifically for international students across the university, to which MBA students may be eligible to apply.

Many international MBA students also choose to work on-campus jobs or hold graduate assistantships, which can provide both financial support and valuable professional experience during their time at Broad College.

Key Strategies to Boost Your Broad MBA Return On Investment

Broad students can participate in tech treks, case competitions, and various events hosted on campus and at other universities or cities. And, as Jacob points out, the extensive alumni network is a key resource. 

“We encourage [students] continuously from matriculation all the way through graduation and beyond to engage with this alumni network,” says Jacob. 

“All throughout the process, we’re taking an individualized approach [to] whatever [the students are] looking to pursue,” he adds. “[We then match] those interests to specific opportunities to ensure they find their post-MBA career that bolsters their overall ROI proposition.” (04:29)

Another notable opportunity for students wanting to maximize their ROI is the MBA Study Abroad program, which takes place annually during spring break (in 2025, they went to Spain). This international experience offers course credit and valuable exposure to global business environments, providing an immersive and enriching experience that connects complex theory with real-world practice. 

Preparing Students for Success in the U.S. and Beyond

Broad College of Business students are inspired to take a multilayered approach to launch a successful career.

“We encourage students to ‘parallel path’ their search,” Jacob notes. “Which is to say that they’re looking for opportunities within the United States as well as their home country and perhaps even a third country.” (04:49)

The school also offers career guidance, educational programs, visa and immigration support, and help in finding global work experience. As Jacob emphasizes, “We’re one of the few MBA programs that has a fully devoted and staffed Global Career Initiatives team providing resources.” (05:02)

The Broad College of Business MBA has a proven track record of developing global leaders while delivering rapid return on investment and strong career outcomes. For an ambitious professional seeking professional and personal growth either inside the U.S or beyond, it is a life-changing experience. 

Learn more about what kind of jobs you can pursue with an MBA on our Careers page.