The One Business School Lesson That Will Set You Up For Success (And Most People Don’t Know)
Meta Title: Business School Framework for Better Career Decisions
Meta Description: Learn the strategic framework from business school that predicts which industries will accelerate your career growth and earnings potential.
By Atticus Li, Growth & CRO
Business school taught me many frameworks, but only one has consistently guided my career decisions and those of the most successful professionals I know.
It's not what you'd expect. Not networking strategies or leadership models or negotiation tactics. It's Porter's Five Forces—a framework designed to analyze industry profitability that becomes incredibly powerful when applied to career planning.
Here's the insight that changed everything for me: A rising tide lifts all boats, and your career success depends more on which tide you choose than how hard you paddle.
Most people focus on getting better at their job. Smart people focus on getting into better industries. The difference in outcomes over a decade is staggering.
I learned this lesson watching colleagues at business school and throughout my career. The ones who ended up in high-growth industries—even in "average" roles—consistently had a higher quality of life than brilliant people stuck in declining sectors.
This isn't about chasing trends. It's about understanding the macroeconomic forces that will shape the next decade of work.
The Rising Tide Principle: Why Industry Choice Trumps Individual Effort
Warren Buffett once said, "When a management with a reputation for brilliance tackles a business with a reputation for bad economics, it is the reputation of the business that remains intact."
The same principle applies to careers. When a talented professional joins a declining industry, it's usually the industry that wins.
A rising tide lifts all boats. In growing industries with favorable dynamics, even average performers advance faster, earn more, and develop more valuable skills than top performers in stagnant sectors.
Consider the contrast between two marketing professionals:
Marketing Manager A worked at a traditional retail company from 2018-2023. Brilliant strategist, excellent execution, beloved by customers. Despite consistent performance, she received modest 3-5% annual raises and watched budget cuts eliminate her team's projects year after year.
Marketing Manager B joined a B2B SaaS company the same year with similar skills and experience. The expanding market meant his company doubled revenue every 18 months. Her "good" performance looked exceptional against rapid growth metrics. She was promoted twice, her equity multiplied 10x, and she built expertise in growth marketing, product-led growth, and data analytics that companies across industries now compete to hire.
Same talent, same effort level, dramatically different outcomes. The difference was industry momentum.
Looking at Macro Conditions: The Forces Reshaping Work
To understand which industries will create rising tides, we need to look at the macro forces reshaping the global economy:
Digital Transformation (Still Early Innings)
Despite headlines about "digital transformation," most industries are still in early adoption phases. McKinsey estimates that only 23% of companies have fully integrated digital technologies into their operations.
Career implication: Industries undergoing digitization create new roles, eliminate old ones, and reward professionals who can bridge traditional domain knowledge with digital capabilities.
Demographic Shifts
The global population is aging rapidly. By 2030, all baby boomers will be over 65. Simultaneously, emerging markets are seeing massive middle-class expansion.
Career implication: Industries serving aging populations (healthcare, financial services, home services) and emerging market consumers (fintech, e-commerce, education) will see sustained demand growth.
Climate and Energy Transition
The shift to sustainable energy and climate adaptation represents the largest infrastructure investment cycle in human history. The International Energy Agency estimates $4 trillion annually in energy investments through 2030.
Career implication: Clean energy, grid modernization, carbon management, and climate adaptation create entirely new career categories while traditional energy careers face pressure.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
AI will eliminate some jobs, augment others, and create entirely new categories. The key insight: AI tends to automate tasks, not jobs. Jobs that combine multiple tasks requiring human judgment remain secure.
Career implication: Roles requiring creativity, complex problem-solving, relationship management, and ethical judgment become more valuable. Pure execution roles face automation pressure.
Geopolitical Realignment
Supply chain diversification, reshoring of manufacturing, and economic nationalism are reshaping global trade patterns.
Career implication: Careers in supply chain management, international trade, cybersecurity, and domestic manufacturing are seeing renewed investment and growth.
Porter's Five Forces: The Career Planning Framework
Michael Porter's framework analyzes industry attractiveness by examining five competitive forces. For career planning, we flip the perspective: instead of asking "Is this a profitable industry for companies?" we ask "Is this an industry where professionals can build valuable, transferable skills and advance quickly?"
Force 1: Competitive Rivalry (Job Market Competition)
What to look for: Industries with healthy competition for talent, not oversaturation.
Green flags:
Companies actively recruiting and poaching talent
Multiple pathways for career advancement
Skills shortages driving up compensation
New companies entering the market regularly
Red flags:
Mass layoffs and hiring freezes
Limited job openings despite qualifications
Stagnant or declining compensation
Industry consolidation reducing opportunities
Example: Data science and machine learning currently have healthy competitive rivalry. Companies compete aggressively for experienced practitioners, creating upward pressure on salaries and rapid career advancement opportunities.
Force 2: Supplier Power (Your Skills and Education)
What to look for: Industries where your skills are in high demand and hard to replace.
Green flags:
Specialized skills that require training and experience
Low barrier to skill acquisition (you can learn what's needed)
Multiple pathways to develop expertise
Skills that compound and build on each other
Red flags:
Easily automated or commoditized skills
High barrier to entry (expensive licensing, lengthy certification)
Skills that become obsolete quickly
One-dimensional expertise with limited applications
Example: UX research combines psychology, data analysis, and human behavior insights. These skills are increasingly valuable across industries and hard to automate, giving practitioners strong supplier power.
Force 3: Buyer Power (Employer Demand)
What to look for: Industries where employers have urgent, sustained need for your skills.
Green flags:
Multiple types of companies need similar skills
Skills are mission-critical, not nice-to-have
ROI of your work is measurable and significant
Global demand, not just local market
Red flags:
Limited types of employers
Your function is seen as cost center, not revenue driver
Easy to outsource or eliminate during downturns
Demand concentrated in declining geographic regions
Example: Cybersecurity professionals have high buyer power because every company needs security, the stakes are high, and breaches are expensive. This creates sustained demand across industries.
Force 4: Threat of Substitutes (Automation and Disruption)
What to look for: Industries where human judgment, creativity, and relationship-building remain essential.
Green flags:
Complex problem-solving that requires human insight
Jobs that involve innovation, strategy, or creative work
Roles requiring emotional intelligence and relationship management
Industries being enhanced, not replaced, by technology
Red flags:
Routine, repetitive tasks
Clear automation pathways already being implemented
Jobs that don't require human judgment or creativity
Industries facing total disruption (not just evolution)
Example: Growth marketing roles are being enhanced by AI tools for data analysis and creative generation, but strategic thinking about customer psychology and market positioning remains human-driven.
Force 5: Threat of New Entrants (Barriers to Entry)
What to look for: Industries with reasonable barriers to entry that protect your position once you're established.
Green flags:
Skills that take time and experience to develop
Network effects and relationship-building matter
Industry knowledge creates competitive advantages
Professional credentials or certifications add value
Red flags:
Anyone can enter with minimal training
Pure commodity skills with no differentiation
No network effects or relationship advantages
Credentials are meaningless or easily obtained
Example: Management consulting has high barriers to entry (top MBA programs, case interview skills, client relationship management) that protect established consultants while still allowing newcomers to break in through proven pathways.
Industry Analysis: Popular Career Paths Through the Five Forces Lens
Let me walk through how this framework applies to some of the most popular career choices today:
Software Engineering
Competitive Rivalry: Healthy competition, especially for experienced developers. New frameworks and specializations create fresh opportunities.
Supplier Power: Strong. Good engineers are always in demand, and skills are transferable across industries.
Buyer Power: Very strong. Every company needs software, and engineering drives revenue directly.
Threat of Substitutes: Low to medium. AI assists coding but doesn't replace strategic thinking and system design.
Barriers to Entry: Medium. Bootcamps and self-teaching lower barriers, but mastery takes time.
Career Verdict: Excellent industry choice. High growth, transferable skills, automation-resistant in the medium term.
Digital Marketing
Competitive Rivalry: High competition in traditional marketing, but specializations (growth, product marketing, marketing ops) have less competition.
Supplier Power: Medium. Skills are learnable but performance-based differentiation matters.
Buyer Power: Strong. Marketing drives revenue and is measurable.
Threat of Substitutes: Medium. AI automates content creation and analysis but not strategy and customer insights.
Barriers to Entry: Low to medium. Easy to start, harder to master and prove ROI.
Career Verdict: Good choice with specialization. Focus on growth marketing, marketing operations, or technical marketing roles.
Management Consulting
Competitive Rivalry: Moderate. Established firms dominate, but boutique specializations create opportunities.
Supplier Power: High at senior levels. Experience and network become very valuable.
Buyer Power: Strong. Companies pay premium for strategic insights and implementation support.
Threat of Substitutes: Low. Complex business problems require human judgment and relationship management.
Barriers to Entry: High. Top MBA programs and case interview skills required for tier-1 firms.
Career Verdict: Excellent for building transferable skills and network, but consider exit opportunities early.
Data Science
Competitive Rivalry: Was low (high demand), now medium (more practitioners entering).
Supplier Power: Medium and declining. Many people have basic skills, but domain expertise creates differentiation.
Buyer Power: Medium. Valuable when tied to business outcomes, but many companies struggle with implementation.
Threat of Substitutes: High. AutoML and AI tools are automating basic analysis.
Barriers to Entry: Medium. Technical skills learnable, but business application knowledge crucial.
Career Verdict: Risky as pure play. Better to combine with domain expertise (marketing, finance, operations).
Product Management
Competitive Rivalry: High. Popular career path with many entrants.
Supplier Power: Medium. Good PMs are valuable, but role definition varies widely between companies.
Buyer Power: Strong at senior levels. Product strategy directly impacts company success.
Threat of Substitutes: Low. Requires human judgment, strategy, and cross-functional coordination.
Barriers to Entry: Medium. No clear certification path, but experience and track record matter greatly.
Career Verdict: Good choice for those with technical background plus business acumen. Avoid without clear differentiation.
Financial Services
Competitive Rivalry: Varies widely. Investment banking and private equity are highly competitive. Financial planning and analysis has moderate competition.
Supplier Power: Medium to high. Specialized knowledge and certifications create barriers.
Buyer Power: Strong. Financial performance directly impacts business success.
Threat of Substitutes: Medium. Robo-advisors and AI affect some areas, but complex decision-making remains human.
Barriers to Entry: High. Licensing, certifications, and regulatory knowledge required.
Career Verdict: Depends on specialization. Fintech and wealth management growing. Traditional banking facing pressure.
Healthcare Administration
Competitive Rivalry: Low to medium. Aging population creates sustained demand.
Supplier Power: Medium. Healthcare knowledge and regulatory expertise valuable but learnable.
Buyer Power: Strong. Healthcare costs and efficiency are major business concerns.
Threat of Substitutes: Low. Regulatory complexity and human judgment required.
Barriers to Entry: Medium to high. Healthcare knowledge and often specialized education required.
Career Verdict: Stable but consider growth potential. Healthcare IT and data analytics offer more upside.
The Jobs of Tomorrow: Where the Rising Tides Are Building
Based on these macro trends, certain career categories are positioned for sustained growth over the next decade:
Climate and Energy Careers
Why they're growing: $4 trillion annual investment in energy transition, government mandates, and cost advantages of renewable energy.
Emerging roles:
Carbon accounting specialists - Help companies measure and reduce emissions
Energy storage engineers - Design and optimize battery systems and grid storage
Climate risk analysts - Assess physical and financial climate risks for businesses
Renewable energy project managers - Oversee solar, wind, and clean energy installations
Green finance professionals - Structure and evaluate sustainable investment products
Skills that transfer in: Finance, engineering, project management, data analysis, regulatory knowledge
Healthcare Technology and Aging Services
Why they're growing: Aging population, chronic disease management, healthcare digitization, and cost pressure driving innovation.
Emerging roles:
Health data analysts - Make sense of patient data and population health trends
Telemedicine coordinators - Manage remote patient care and digital health platforms
Senior living experience designers - Create age-friendly products and services
Healthcare AI specialists - Develop and implement AI tools for diagnosis and treatment
Care coordination managers - Navigate complex healthcare systems for patients
Skills that transfer in: Healthcare experience, data analysis, customer service, psychology, operations management
Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
Why they're growing: Increasing digitization, remote work, regulatory requirements, and high-profile breaches making security business-critical.
Emerging roles:
Privacy engineers - Build privacy by design into products and systems
Incident response specialists - Manage and recover from security breaches
Compliance automation analysts - Use technology to meet regulatory requirements
Security awareness trainers - Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices
Threat intelligence analysts - Research and predict cybersecurity threats
Skills that transfer in: IT experience, risk management, project management, communication, analytical thinking
AI and Human-Machine Collaboration
Why they're growing: AI augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them, creating new hybrid roles.
Emerging roles:
AI trainers and prompt engineers - Teach AI systems and optimize their outputs
Human-AI interaction designers - Create interfaces between humans and AI systems
AI ethics specialists - Ensure responsible AI development and deployment
Automation workflow designers - Identify and implement process automation opportunities
AI-enhanced analysts - Use AI tools to augment human analysis and decision-making
Skills that transfer in: Domain expertise in any field, analytical thinking, technical communication, psychology
Supply Chain and Manufacturing Renaissance
Why they're growing: Reshoring trends, supply chain resilience focus, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Emerging roles:
Supply chain risk analysts - Assess and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities
Reshoring consultants - Help companies bring manufacturing back to domestic markets
Advanced manufacturing engineers - Work with robotics, 3D printing, and smart factories
Sustainability supply chain managers - Build environmentally responsible supply networks
Trade compliance specialists - Navigate complex international trade regulations
Skills that transfer in: Operations experience, project management, international business, data analysis, logistics
Financial Technology and Digital Assets
Why they're growing: Digital payment adoption, cryptocurrency integration, embedded finance, and financial inclusion initiatives.
Emerging roles:
Embedded finance product managers - Build financial services into non-financial products
Digital asset compliance officers - Navigate cryptocurrency and blockchain regulations
Financial wellness coaches - Help individuals and businesses optimize financial health
Fintech integration specialists - Connect traditional financial systems with new technologies
Decentralized finance (DeFi) analysts - Evaluate and manage blockchain-based financial products
Skills that transfer in: Finance background, technology experience, regulatory knowledge, customer service, risk management
Green Flag Industries: Where Momentum Works in Your Favor
Industries showing strength across multiple forces:
Healthcare Technology
Growing competitive rivalry as market expands
High supplier power for those with healthcare + tech skills
Strong buyer power driven by regulatory and cost pressures
Low threat of substitutes due to complexity and regulation
High barriers to entry protect established players
Renewable Energy and Clean Tech
Expanding competitive landscape with new entrants
High supplier power for technical specialists
Strong buyer power driven by regulatory support and cost advantages
Low threat of substitutes in the medium term
Medium barriers to entry with multiple skill pathways
Cybersecurity
Healthy competitive rivalry with sustained demand
Very high supplier power due to skills shortage
Extremely strong buyer power as security becomes business-critical
Low threat of substitutes requiring human expertise
High barriers to entry protect specialists
How to Position Yourself in Rising Tide Industries
Step 1: Assess Macro Momentum
Before diving deep into specific companies or roles, evaluate the macro forces affecting your target industry:
Is the total market expanding or contracting?
Are regulatory trends favorable or creating headwinds?
Is technology disrupting or enhancing the industry?
Are demographic shifts creating more or less demand?
Is capital (venture, private equity, public investment) flowing in or out?
Step 2: Find Your Transferable Bridge
You don't need to start over to enter a growth industry. Identify how your existing skills translate:
If you're in finance: Climate risk analysis, fintech product management, healthcare financial operations If you're in marketing: Growth marketing for SaaS, digital health customer acquisition, clean energy lead generation
If you're in operations: Supply chain resilience, healthcare systems optimization, renewable energy project management If you're in technology: AI/ML applications in your domain, cybersecurity for your industry, automation workflow design
Step 3: Start Building Tomorrow's Skills Today
Even if you can't switch industries immediately, begin developing capabilities that will be valuable in growth sectors:
Universal growth skills:
Data analysis and visualization
Basic programming and automation
Cross-functional project management
Digital marketing and growth experimentation
Sustainability and ESG knowledge
Communication bridges:
Technical writing and documentation
Translating between technical and business teams
Customer research and behavioral insights
Change management and stakeholder alignment
Step 4: Time Your Transition Strategically
The best time to enter a growth industry is during the "early expansion" phase, not at peak hype:
Too early: Unclear market demand, limited job opportunities, high risk Sweet spot: Proven market demand, expanding job opportunities, established companies hiring Too late: Saturated talent market, inflated expectations, harder to differentiate
Look for industries where:
Venture capital investment is growing but not frothy
Job postings are increasing month-over-month
Established companies are launching new divisions
Government policy is supportive but not yet mandated
The Timing Factor: When Industry Momentum Matters Most
Industry selection has the biggest impact early in your career (ages 22-30) when you're building foundational skills and establishing your professional identity.
Later in your career (30+), your established expertise and network can overcome some industry headwinds. But it's still easier to swim with the current than against it.
The sweet spot is joining growing industries in their early expansion phase, not at peak hype. By the time everyone is talking about an opportunity, the easy gains are often gone.
Putting It All Together: Your Industry Selection Strategy
The most successful professionals I've studied don't just follow their passion—they find the intersection of their interests, abilities, and favorable industry dynamics.
Use Porter's Five Forces to:
Evaluate your current position honestly
Research emerging opportunities systematically
Time your transitions strategically
Build skills that compound across growing industries
Remember: You're not just choosing a job or even a career. You're choosing which economic and technological currents will carry your professional development forward.
Choose industries where the wind is at your back, not in your face.
FAQ: Porter's Five Forces for Career Planning
How often should I reassess industry attractiveness?
Annually for your current industry, and whenever you're considering a career change. Major technological or regulatory shifts can change industry dynamics quickly.
What if I'm already established in an industry with poor five forces analysis?
Focus on developing transferable skills and building expertise in growing segments within your industry. Look for internal transitions before external ones.
Do these principles apply to entrepreneurship and freelancing?
Absolutely. The same forces affect whether there's demand for your services, pricing power, and competitive dynamics in consulting or business markets.
How do I research industry forces if I'm not already in the field?
Industry reports, LinkedIn analysis of career trajectories, informational interviews, and following industry publications and thought leaders on social media.
Should I avoid competitive industries entirely?
Not necessarily. Healthy competition often indicates a growing market. Avoid oversaturated markets where differentiation is impossible.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. The views expressed are based on personal experience and research, not professional career counseling or financial advice. Industry conditions and job markets can change rapidly. Individual career outcomes vary significantly based on personal circumstances, skills, timing, and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making career decisions. The author is not liable for any career or financial decisions made based on this content.
Atticus Li is a growth strategist and experimentation leader with 10+ years in SaaS, banking, and energy. His work in CRO, analytics, and behavioral economics has helped startups and Fortune 500s drive over $1B in acquisitions and major revenue gains. He writes at experimentationcareer.com, helping students, practitioners, and decision-makers apply experimentation to build smarter products, careers, and teams.