When you went to college as an undergrad, did you know exactly what career path you wanted to take and stick with your original plan? If you were anything like the majority of students, you didn’t.

An estimated 75 percent of undergraduate students change their majors at least once before they graduate, while 20 to 50 percent enter college as “undecided.” That’s OK, though! And actually beneficial, according to Penn State— undergrad degrees are an opportunity to explore different career paths to figure out which one is right for you.

When it comes to graduate school, the process is a little different. It’s better to know your goals from the start so you can make the most of your courses and networking opportunities during the program. But narrowing down the right choice before you begin can be tricky, since the job market is constantly changing.  

To help you know what the best options are, we rounded up Time magazine’s 2015 career predictions, as well as the best jobs for MBAs from U.S. News & World Report, to identify these five career paths as great choices for MBAs in today’s job market. We’ll also tell you what skills you need to make landing one of these jobs possible.

5 Of The Best Careers For MBAs

1. Data Analytics

Today’s technology, along with the Internet of Things, has made collecting endless amounts of raw data not only possible, but beneficial for companies and organizations. Analyzing this data and turning it into meaningful information allows them to make better business decisions. As a result, the demand for data analysts in all business sectors has skyrocketed. By 2018, the U.S. labor market will face a shortage of as many as 190,000 people with the requisite analytical skills to support demand. A Master of Business Analytics can be the first step in entering this field.

2. Advertising & Marketing

In the coming years, marketing jobs will remain plentiful as the media landscape shifts from traditional advertising to content marketing — especially for marketers who can mine data to inform decisions. The demand for marketing research analysts is expected to increase by 41 percent, and other jobs within the sector (such as sales reps, writers, and graphic designers) will increase as well. This field is ripe for professionals with marketing MBAs.

3. Finance

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, university degree holders with specialized skills in areas such as financial analysis will fall well below the national unemployment average. In fact, jobs for financial analysts look promising — employment of financial analysts is expected to increase by 16 percent. An MBA coupled with a background as a financial analyst, accountant, or loan officer, positions graduates for jobs as financial managers, CFOs, and more.

4. Entrepreneurship

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, an annual assessment of entrepreneurial activity around the world, estimates that 13 percent of all Americans are involved in entrepreneurial activity, which is up significantly as trends like social entrepreneurship gain traction and funding. The success of any entrepreneur is dependant upon their ability to build relationships, manage teams, think on their feet, and lead effectively, regardless of the scenario at hand.

5. Information Technology

The demand for software developers with business skills (think CTO) is growing, and information security analysts are good bets for MBAs who also have knowledge of information systems, whether through a dual MS + MBA program, an MBA concentration in IT, or a complementary undergraduate degree. Employment and output in the tech industry are, of course, growing more rapidly as time passes.

Getting involved

The key to landing a job in one of these growing fields is having a specific set of skills in your workplace toolkit. An MBA delivers breadth of knowledge, giving graduates the ability to navigate any field. But you’ll be a game-changer in a company if your skill set includes deeper knowledge in a particular discipline. There are two different ways to measure your skills when it comes time for job searching.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are what will land you your first job — think of them as demonstrable abilities and knowledge required for success in the position. This subject-matter expertise can be learned, evaluated, and measured, and includes things like computer programming, web design, accounting, writing, market research and segmentation, and financial modeling and forecasting. You can gain hard skills by taking graduate classes, a certificate program, an internship, or tackling a freelance project. These skills are essential to have on your resume, and can even determine whether or not you get an interview.

Soft Skills

In order to retain that job and be successful in it, you need soft skills. Broadly speaking, soft skills are the portable and valuable “people skills” we use to interact with others at work. Your work ethic, attitude, communication skills, and emotional intelligence or self-awareness are all in play as you develop relationships and trust within an organization. You can develop soft skills in grad school through extracurriculars, student organizations, and networking events, and those skills will further develop through work and personal situations over a lifetime. Look to establish relationships with mentors and supervisors who have these skills and are willing to share some of the stories that contributed to their development.

Be Successful

Picking the right career is essential when getting a graduate degree — it helps you make the most of your studies and networking opportunities during the program. If you’re deciding which path to go down, know that these five options are great for those with MBAs. Choose the field that is best for you and work to develop the skills that will lead to your success.    

If you found this information helpful, check out our free resource, The MBA’s Guide to Workplace Success. You’ll learn what else should be in your workplace toolkit, what valuable organizations you should be part of in grad school, and other valuable career knowledge that will ensure your workplace success.