Redlands Business & Society Blog

News and Views from the University of Redlands School of Business & Society

The Advantages of Working in California

Opportunities abound for professionals seeking employment in California with an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from the University of Redlands. With a main campus located in Redlands, Calif., the University also has regional campuses throughout the state in Burbank, Temecula, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Ana (South Coast Metro).

Redlands also offers an online MBA program that increases the University’s accessibility even beyond the multiple regional campuses; designed for working professionals, this program is 100 percent online and provides a credential from a well-respected university that employers will recognize. Below is an overview of some industries where you may leverage your Redlands MBA.  

An Overview of California’s Economy

California is a state with a number of businesses and employment opportunities. As of November 2017, California was ranked second on Forbes’ list for states with a healthy economic climate and third in growth opportunities. According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), California received more venture capital funds in 2015 than all other states combined. It’s a global leader in the technology, aerospace, entertainment, tourism, and life sciences industries.

For the last few years, California’s economic growth has outpaced the economic growth of the country as a whole. Nearly every major industry sector in California has added jobs. Sixty-five percent of total job gains occurred in professional, scientific and technical services; leisure and hospitality; healthcare and social assistance; administrative, support, and waste services; and construction.

Forbes expects the state’s economic and job growth will continue to be strong over the next five years. Earning an MBA prepares you with the real-world skills and business savvy needed to assume a key role in one of the Golden State’s thriving business enterprises.

Specific Locales and the Business Sectors They Are Recognized For

Whether you prefer the city, the country, mountains, or the beach, California has it all. Northern California’s economy has largely been characterized by the dominance of Silicon Valley, a leader in technological innovation.

The Greater Bay Area has seen an explosion in the commercial banking industry. Although Southern California is typically known for entertainment and tourism, other industries such as the healthcare sector have grown substantially over the last five years. For example, San Diego is a global epicenter of biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.

Why Redlands?

The University of Redlands has been recognized regionally and nationally. U.S. News & World Report ranked Redlands No. 12 in “Best Regional Universities in the West.” Payscale.com ranked Redlands in the top 15 percent of “Best Universities for Salary Potential.” In addition, the University was ranked in the top 10 percent of the best master’s universities for contributing to the public good by Washington Monthly.  

A Redlands MBA provides you with the business fundamentals needed to succeed in California’s rapidly evolving economy. You can customize your degree to focus on one of three concentrations: general business, finance, or marketing. The program has six start dates each year and can be completed in as few as 18 months. The program excels by offering individualized attention in an active learning community. Learn more about how a Redlands MBA can help you start or advance your California career.

References:

Anthony, J. (2014, June 18). 15 top MBA employers. Retrieved from the CNN Money website at money.cnn.com/gallery/pf/jobs/2014/06/17/top-mba-employers/index.html

Burch, B. (2016, April 22). The 5 most affordable cities in California. Retrieved from Livability website at livability.com/ca/business/the-5-most-affordable-cities-in-california

Forbes (2017). Best places for business: California [2017 Ranking]. Retrieved on November 29, 2017 at www.forbes.com/places/ca/

Legislative Analyst’s Office. (2014, December 4). Cal facts: 2014. Retrieved from lao.ca.gov/reports/2014/calfacts/calfacts-2014.pdf

Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, The Kyser Center for Economic Research (2016). Economic forecast and industry outlook: California and southern California including the national and international setting. Retrieved from laedc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LAEDC-2016-2017-February-Forecast.pdf

Palmer, T. & Hurley, M. (2017, April 12). NorCal vs. SoCal: Fastest growing industries by region. Retrieved from ibisworld.com/media/2017/04/12/norcal-vs-socal-industry-comparison/

Shaffer, A. (2016, December 29). Top MBA employers in Los Angeles. Retrieved from metromba.com/2016/12/top-mba-employers-los-angeles/