With unemployment skyrocketing, business schools are expecting a rise in interest and applications. Taking a break from the workplace to study for an MBA has been a popular career move during past recessions, as the degree can help secure a better job when the economy recovers.
The situation is more complex for those who are leaving business schools this summer. Most started their MBA courses one or two years ago with the goal of gaining a promotion or new career in a then booming economy. They are now entering one of the toughest jobs markets in years.
A survey last month by the MBA Career Services and Employer Alliance (MBA CSEA) among 118 business schools found that two-thirds had seen at least one job offer for their graduating students rescinded and 83 per cent said that start dates for some new graduates had been delayed.