Updated: Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

The recession does not seem to have dampened America's entrepreneurial spirit or quashed business career opportunities, as demonstrated by the annual ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.

Inc. 5000 has just been released by Inc. magazine for the third time, and shows insurance, advertising and marketing as well as computer technology companies make up the bulk of the top 20 businesses.

For example, the top advertising and marketing firm, at number five, is IntegraClick based in Sarasota, Florida, which is expected to grow at 12,654.4 percent, while leading the ranking is another Florida company called Northern Capital Insurance, whose growth is estimated at 19,812.2 percent.

The list also includes retailers like Diaper.com which is likely to expand by 3,473.8 percent.

Jim Melloan, project manager for Inc. 5000 says "[the ranking showcases] young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models, as well as older private companies that are still expanding at an impressive rate."

It also provides a valuable insight for those considering enrolling in an MBA program as it shows what kind of skills may be most marketable in the years to come.

According to PayScale.com, average salaries for holders of MBA degrees ranged from $73,510 to $171,583 in 2008, depending on the field, position and years of experience.

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