Seeking to change industries? An MBA from Baylor Can Help
The World Economic Forum reports “two-fifths of the core skills workers have today will be disrupted by technological change by 2027,” with a full 50 percent of them needing core skills upgrades every five years.
Rather than continuing to retrain their skillset, many workers are opting for a career change. Forbes says “half of all American workers are actively considering changing industries. This career change revolution cuts across generational lines.” And, according to Deloitte, “Three-quarters of Gen Zs (74%) and millennials (77%) believe GenAI will impact the way they work within the next year.” Current estimates are that AI will replace up to 40% of current jobs.
These factors indicate that a large percentage of people will continue to change careers, possibly across industries, throughout their working years. Some seek a change as a result of praying for God’s will. Others want to move up in their existing company. Still others need a higher salary or are tired of a dead-end position. Four common reasons for changing careers are:
- Looking for a career that aligns with personal values
- Expanding options for future management opportunities
- Seeking better work/life balance
- Seeking to keep up with changing industries
Baylor’s Online MBA (OMBA) and MBA in Dallas for Executives and Professionals through the Hankamer Business School are among the top MBA programs for people seeking to change careers. Doors to people-management and administrative positions open wider with an MBA to lend a hand. Baylor’s MBA programs address all the common reasons.
Why not find a career that aligns with your personal values?
Baylor graduate Gabrielle “Gabby” Logan, MBA ’24, shifted from a position where she wasn’t unhappy. In fact, she was grateful for her former company. But now, she’s in a position she loves with a beauty brand, an industry “that aligns more with my passions and interests.”
Logan decided to pursue an Executive MBA five years after her undergrad, while in the aerospace and manufacturing space.
“It was the perfect time for me where I had the experience to add value in an MBA cohort and the remainder of my career to incorporate all of the amazing benefits of the MBA,” she said.
An MBA helped her “learn more about other industries and perspectives, as well as create a network” that added to her original experiences.
“My MBA classmates played a big role in my decision to switch industries,” she said. “I was inspired by my cohort, especially their passion for their fields and the work they did. They gave me the courage to shift into a field I love.”
Explore your options for future management opportunities with an MBA
Syed Hussain, MBA ’22, used his MBA for a shift in the same industry, but to a more preferred position.
“I started my career at Fidelity Investments over a decade ago in their workplace investing division, working with 401(k) participants,” he said. “I always wanted to be a financial advisor, so I decided to make that change and joined JPMorganChase.
“I enrolled into Baylor’s MBA program while at J.P. Morgan and knew that after I graduated, I’d look into pivoting into leadership within the finance industry,” Hussain said. “After obtaining my MBA, I joined a competitor’s manager development program. I definitely leveraged my learnings from my Baylor MBA to land that job. After two years, I landed back at J.P. Morgan as a market director at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. I now lead financial advisors in our Allen and McKinney market in Texas.”
Hussain has always been passionate about leadership, as displayed in his mentoring relationship with local bankers. As a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan, he works very closely with licensed bankers in bank branches.
“I really enjoyed the collaboration, along with being able to mentor bankers,” he said. “Some of those bankers have since been promoted and are financial advisors or commercial bankers within the firm, which is amazing to see.”
As Hussain learned, Baylor’s MBAs prepare graduates to excel in their chosen field beyond what they were prepared to do without the degree.
Finding the elusive work/life balance
Working adults seek to balance work with non-work domains, such as family, personal life and community. This work-life balance is increasingly recognized. This 2025 Gallup survey of 10,000 adults found “work-life balance and personal wellbeing” at the top of the list of items sought in a new job.
“Each individual, whether in an MBA program or not, has a list of priorities for their current role and career,” Logan said. “If work/life balance is a top priority for someone, I think using your network to understand which types of roles fit into that priority is a great place to start.”
Logan thinks prospective students can see Baylor MBA in Dallas as a tool for finding or maintaining a good balance.
“The Baylor MBA in Dallas is designed for individuals who work full-time,” she said. “The program allowed me to continue my career while going back to school, and connecting me to a larger network. The monthly in-person class schedule and course structure also allowed me to balance my personal, professional, and academic lives smoothly.”
Similarly, Nick Simmons, MBA ’21, remembers the core course Managing for Higher Performance helping him find balance.
“The different aspects, dealing with life in general and being able to maintain an inspiring approach on a daily basis, taught me a lot about where I needed to make some changes and adapt myself to get a better understanding of my employees,” he said.
An MBA can inspire a career change to another industry
“I think an MBA is a great way to learn more about yourself, your passions, and your goals,” Logan said. “It also gives you perspective to see what people in other industries tackle and how they approach challenges. You get what you give with an MBA. It’s a great choice for anyone wanting to challenge themselves to think differently and expand their horizons.”
Logan credits the Baylor MBA network with her decision to change career paths.
“Before entering my MBA program, I had been working professionally in Engineering and Operations at an aerospace and manufacturing company for five years after my undergrad,” she said.
Logan’s change in career direction coupled with a change in location. While in her EMBA she decided to move to New York to better take advantage of opportunities in the beauty industry there. Her Baylor connections proved invaluable.
“Baylor connected me with many alumni in New York, and a Baylor MBA Career Center program trip to the Big Apple solidified my decision,” she said.
Choose Baylor MBA to keep up on industry changes
Baylor’s Online MBA teaches communication, teamwork, problem solving, as well as skills in management, administration, strategy, finance, marketing and leadership. These are marks of top MBA programs.
“When I was looking for a program that would offer credibility and prestige, Baylor’s name came at the top,” Hussain said. “The skills and insights I gained from my MBA still serve me in my role today.”
“In today’s fast-moving business landscape, staying ahead means continuously sharpening your perspective,” said Sharon Mawet, director of graduate enrollment. “At Baylor, our MBA programs go beyond teaching the language of business. They foster adaptive thinking and ethical leadership that empower our students to navigate change with confidence. Our curriculum, shaped by Baylor faculty and informed by current trends, equips professionals to lead in industries that never stand still.”
What’s Next?
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To find out how Baylor’s Online MBA and MBA in Dallas for Executives and Professionals can help you further your career goals, visit our Online MBA page or our MBA in Dallas page to learn more. Or complete the form below and one of our admissions advisers will contact you directly to help you determine the best path forward.
