More jobs, better packages for MBA graduates in 2016: Survey

The year 2016 might be the year of MBA graduates. At least 96% employers across the globe believe that MBA graduates create value for their companies, according to the year-end poll of employers of 2015, an annual survey conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

T he findings sugg ested robust 2016 hiring projections that reflect a continued healthy demand for recent graduates of master-level business programmes — especially MBAs. A total of 68% respondents said recruiting MBA graduates and business master’s programmes was a priority in their company’s hiring plans in 2016 with three in four employers expected to hire MBA graduates this year.

MBA graduates could also expect better pay packages in 2016, as per the survey which revealed that “employers plan to increase annual starting salaries at or above the rate of inflation for new MBA hires in 2016.”

Employers have also showed an inclination towards hiring more graduates from master of accounting and master in management programmes in 2016 compared to last year. About 73% of employers are planning to recruit MBA candidates as interns in 2016.

While the year seems to have a robust hiring outlook for MBA graduates going by the survey findings, experts believe that in addition to the demand for MBA graduates, initiatives like Startup India and Make in India might see a rise in entrepreneurs in the country too.

Narayanan Ramaswamy, partner and head, education and skill development, KPMG in India, says, “This year we expect the recruitment at premium colleges to be crowded as usual. If there is a genuine fillip in the Startup India programme — it will encourage more students to take up entrepreneurial ventures. For tier-2 B-schools, the Make in India programme would give critical requirement for success.”

Source: Hindustan Times, 25-01-2015