#2: Management Analyst

Want to make $66,000 a year telling people everything they're doing wrong?

If you find yourself pouring over the Wall Street Journal over coffee every morning, this may be the perfect job for you.

Management analysts serve as experts and consultants in specific areas of expertise. They are often self-employed and hired by executives to analyze and report on how a company can improve it's operations and investments to maximize profits and potential.

There are two types of management analysts: business and financial.

Financial analysts assess a company's financial state and determine the best strategies for investing the company's money. Business analysts consult on the operational side of the business. They sniff out inefficiency in operational procedures and recommend solutions to company executives.

Management analysts: the crime scene investigators of the business world.

How to become a Management Analyst:

Management analysts are often self-employed consultants. Private companies tend to hire analysts with an MBA and several years of experience in the area in which they consult. For example, a marketing firm may hire a management analyst with an MBA in Marketing and several years of experience as a market research analyst.

Start off with an Associates of Science in Business Administration at Ivy Tech. Contact the Transfer Center at Ivy Tech at 317-921-4275 to find out how your credits will transfer to a bachelor's degree in the discipline you wish to consult in, such as finance or human resources.

With a bachelors degree you may qualify for an entry-level position as a research analyst. After working a few years in the field, you can then obtain your MBA and become a self-employed management analyst consultant. The good news is that often experience trumps education in this field. The results you produce in increasing company efficiency will speak louder than an MBA.

The opportunities for advancement for management analysts are endless. Job growth is projected at 24 percent. However, be prepared to fight for these highly desirable jobs, keen competition is expected. The rewards may be worth the fight; 26% are self-employed, and some management analysts make six figure salaries.

Looking at Management Analysts