Job Opportunities Still a Challenge for MBAs

The survey findings show, at a summary level, that 79% of respondents report a decline in on-campus recruiting for full-time MBA jobs during Fall 2009. At the same time last year, this same percentage of respondents reported a decline during Fall 2008.
 
In contrast, the findings also show that full-time MBA job postings may be rebounding; while 48% of respondents report a decline in these postings, this is an improvement from 70% of respondents in 2008. And more encouragingly, 34% of respondents reported an increase in full-time postings during Fall 2009.

These increases in MBA recruiting activity are occurring across several sectors. Over 20% of respondents report increases in energy/petroleum, government, healthcare services, pharma/biotech, and high technology. Conversely, over 20% of respondents also report decreased recruiting activity in consulting, consumer products, commercial banking, diversified financial services, investment banking and brokerage, investment management, venture capital and private equity, manufacturing, and real estate. The changes to recruiting activity noted here are consistent with broader economic outcomes.

With respect to the economy and job growth, respondents appear optimistic about a recovery, with 60% predicting an increase in overall market opportunities. Kip Harrell, President of the MBA Career Services Council and Associate Vice President of Professional Development and Career Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management, says, "All of us in the MBA Career Services offices at business schools across the world are hopeful. We know that graduate employment is a lagging economic indicator and as the economy picks up, so will MBA hiring."

The survey, conducted every Fall in November and December by the MBA Career Services Council, collects data from AACSB accredited business schools across the US and Europe.

The MBA Career Services Council, founded in 1994, is a global professional association for individuals in the fields of graduate management career services and MBA corporate employers. There are more than 400 members representing a diverse group of more than 160 MBA programs, advanced degree business schools and corporations located around the world.

www.mbacsc.org