College programs online offer business students the freedom to gain real-world experience while they work toward an advanced degree, which can make these individuals more valuable to their current and prospective employers. In fact, some organizations are already realizing the value of MBA degree seekers by hiring them for real-world projects.

For instance, representatives from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in Casper, Wyoming recently announced that they will be using marketing management degree seekers to create a business-boosting strategy, according to the Wyoming Business Report.

DDA officials will work with the MBA candidates to survey community members, create a long-term plan for business development in the city’s downtown area, help DDA stakeholders boost their companies and make the most of the organization’s limited marketing budget.

Charles Walsh, a DDA board member who has worked with business students in the past, told the news source that “the quality and quantity of thought-leadership demonstrated by the MBA teams produces on-target results.”

Degree seekers who can put similar experience on their resumes may be more likely to launch high-paying careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers who were working in 2008 earned an average of $105,580 per year.