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This is a guest post by Lindsey Harper Mac, who specializes in writing about career building and professional development.

Maybe you went back to school for a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) to leap past the competition on the corporate ladder, or maybe you weren’t quite ready for the ‘real world’ after earning your Bachelor’s degree. Either way, you’ve made it through, and it’s time to launch your career. Where should you send that newly-polished résumé?

Manufacturing: You didn’t learn about business ethics, marketing, and operations strategy just to end up on a factory line. Luckily, the manufacturing industry needs people to develop the vision, manage employees, and balance the books for the nation’s automobile manufacturers, food producers, and furniture builders. Use your MBA to your best advantage. For instance, financial news corporation Bloomberg reports that GM is back on top as the global leader in automobile production, as the vehicle sales rose 10 percent for a second year in a row. It just makes good business sense to ride that wave.

Natural resources: Bloomberg also reports that iron mining and natural gas production are on the way up. No one is suggesting you tuck a pickax under your arm and head for the fields; however, someone needs to keep track of operating procedures and the best ways for a company to turn a profit year after year. With the going green trend, a love for and responsibility towards preserving the environment can be a marketable skill.

Service industries: You may have joked about flipping burgers, but the same roles required in manufacturing need to be filled in the parent companies of service industries, such as restaurants and retail stores. Use your graduate degree to help develop new products, plan for expansion, or maintain industry leadership. Show that remodeled neighborhood bistro how to attract new clientele, or be at the forefront of the fashion industry in a boutique that makes headlines for its innovative and affordable designs.

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Technology: We’ve gone through the ages of personal computing, the development of the Internet, and the explosion of social media. Someone needs to fill Steve Jobs’ shoes and show us the way to the next great thing – why not you? Whether you get your feet wet at a small startup and take the company global or you help an industry giant remain at the forefront, get your creative juices flowing and your ideas in front of people who can help make a difference.

Nonprofits: As you search for a job that best matches your abilities, education, and interests, you can be productive with your free time and volunteer for an organization whose mission you support, such as a local nonprofit. In addition to keeping your hard-won skills sharp, you will be afforded the chance to give something back to your community. Many nonprofits are small enough to provide experience in a variety of positions, allowing you to broaden the expertise you bring to the table during an interview.

Entrepreneurship: There’s no better place to put your leadership, venture strategy, and organizational behavior skills to work than in your own company. Aside from being the boss, having your own company is the best way to be the key decision maker, diversify your income stream by working with a variety of clients or industries, and greatly increase the chance that you will be doing only what you love.

Let the years you spent pursuing your graduate degree really pay off for you. Do your research, stay apprised of news reports and trends, and before long, you’ll find a great company eager to utilize your talents.

Lindsey Harper Mac specializes in writing about career building and professional development. She blogs on behalf of Colorado Technical University.

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