We have received some good questions lately from applicants who are starting to narrow down their school choices. Applicants repeatedly ask MBAunlocked how much they should care about recruiter and salary stats for specific schools, and whether they will be as likely to land the same job from less-know schools.
As we keep saying, applicants really should have a solid idea of their post-MBA goals before applying to school. Have a sense of the industry in which you would like to work, and perhaps even have a few employers that you would like to target. Once you have this in mind, consider whether the schools to which you may apply have industry connections. How often do recruiters in your field of interest visit and target that school’s MBA program? How many alumni contacts does a school have at specific companies or in specific industries? How strong is the support at the MBA program’s career center in helping you to target your own dream job?
Remember, a school’s name and reputation are important, but make sure you keep your future career goals in mind. Find a school where you will have colleagues with whom you share common career interests.
When looking at less-known MBA programs, you must also weigh the trade-offs with regard to the questions above. Decide for yourself whether you believe the time, expense, and effort of getting an MBA from a certain program will yield the career results for which you are hoping.
Your post-MBA career may seem far away, but knowing what you want will help position you for future success.