If you’re looking for an education that equips you with career and earning potential, a degree in management may be just what you need. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment in management will grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, making way for about 906,800 new jobs. According to the BLS, management occupations, with a median annual salary of $109,760, had the highest salaries among all major occupational groups as of May 2020.

However, standing out from other job candidates when you hold the same qualifications can be challenging. If you’re considering enrolling in a graduate program, such as an online Master of Communication Management (MCM) program, it can be helpful to become familiar with some of the top management degrees of the future.

An MCM degree can help managers develop and hone their verbal and written communication abilities. According to USC, communication is a strategic balance of both art and science, and having a strong understanding of that balance affords professionals an advantage in a competitive marketplace. Today’s communications professionals also need expertise to communicate effectively in an environment increasingly influenced by data and analytics.

Examples of careers suited to an individual who earns an MCM degree are:

• Marketing communications manager. Marketing communications managers use their expertise to manage brands and brand awareness, maintain a customer base, and strengthen customer satisfaction. They also create and carry out strategies for marketing and advertising. According to PayScale, the median annual salary for marketing communications managers was about $67,000 as of November 2021, but individuals at the higher end of the pay scale can earn around $100,000.
• Internal communications manager. Organizations can always benefit from the strong internal communications systems that internal communications managers can deliver. In promoting internal communication, internal communications managers have the opportunity to work in areas such as organizational development, employee relations and strategic planning. PayScale reports that the median annual salary for internal communications managers was about $66,500 as of November 2021, but individuals with greater expertise and experience can earn around $97,000.

Students in MCM degree programs develop their skills in areas such as communication strategy, marketing and analytics. Examples of courses are:

• Strategic Corporate Communication
• Global Marketing Communication
• Experiential Communication and Storytelling
• Integrated Communication Strategies
• Big Data in Communication

Another top degree in management worth exploring is a master’s degree in organizational leadership and management. Earning this degree enables individuals to strengthen their expertise in areas such as personal and organizational leadership, workplace ethics, global leadership, and organizational performance.

Individuals who earn a master’s degree in organizational leadership and management can work in careers such as:

• Vice president of operations. Vice presidents of operations use their leadership skills to boost operational performance. They do this by, for example, creating strategic plans for operations, evaluating overall processes, and maintaining strong communication with vendors and clients. PayScale reports that the median annual salary for vice presidents of operations was about $135,800 as of November 2021, but individuals with substantial experience can earn more than $200,000.
• Chief operating officer. Equipped with several years of experience and strong expertise in organizational leadership, individuals can eventually work their way up to chief operating officer (COO) positions. COOs use their skills to oversee an entire organization’s operations, steer an organization to strengthen productivity and assess an organization’s overall performance in achieving goals. According to PayScale, the median annual salary for COOs with leadership skills was about $150,000 as of November 2021, but top earners can receive salaries in the area of $250,000.

In pursuing a top management degree through a master’s degree in organizational leadership and management program, students strengthen their skills in areas such as team leadership, leadership in executive roles and decision-making in leadership roles. Examples of courses are:

• Leading for Innovation and Change
• Leadership and Executive Development
• Leading With Mindfulness
• Leadership and Self-Management
• Leading Effective Teams

Students who earn a master’s degree in hospitality management have the chance to strengthen their expertise in areas such as service quality management, human resource management, marketing and tourism development.

In light of the upheaval in the hospitality and tourism industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to note that a master’s degree in hospitality management program also equips students with the skills to be creative and innovate in response to disruption.

Examples of careers available to individuals who have a master’s degree in hospitality management are:

• Event manager. Event managers are responsible for organizing events such as conferences and large celebrations. They use their expertise to coordinate with clients and vendors to ensure that events take place successfully while working within client budgets. They may also be involved in publicizing and marketing the events they oversee. PayScale reports that the median annual salary for event managers was approximately $54,300 as of November 2021, but experienced individuals at the high end of the scale can earn about $80,000.
• Food and beverage director. Responsible for overseeing all food and beverage services of a hotel, banquet facility or restaurant, food and beverage directors have multiple responsibilities in areas such as human resources, menu design, production selection, guest services and purchasing. According to PayScale, the median annual salary for food and beverage directors was about $71,000 as of November 2021, but salaries in this field can exceed $100,000.

Through Master of Hospitality Management (MHM) programs, students can build their skills in areas such as tourism development, innovation in hospitality and tourism, and strategies for strengthening service quality. Examples of courses are:

• Planning for Sustainable Tourism
• Managing the Quality of Service in Hospitality and Tourism
• Financial and Revenue Management for Hospitality and Tourism
• Data Analytics for Hospitality and Tourism
• Global Hospitality and Tourism

Careers in management offer a variety of opportunities and the potential for challenging and interesting work. With an attractive salary and the chance to put your communication and management skills to use, one of the top management degrees could be a rewarding endeavor. If enhancing your communication and management expertise sounds appealing, explore USC’s online masters in Communication Management. With focus areas in marketing communication, and strategic and organizational communication, the program could set you on the path to achieving your career ambitions. Take the first step on that path today.