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West Australian
5 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Traditional MBA degree back in business amid economic downturns, says Curtin University's Shahid Ghauri
Curtin University's Shahid Ghauri expects a resurgence in demand for the traditional master of business administration degree as professionals look to enhance their skills amid a slowing economy and rapid artificial intelligence advancements. Dr Ghauri recently took on the role as the new director of Curtin's MBA and doctorate of business administration programs earlier this month. He says MBAs and DBAs can often be seen as a safe haven amid economic downturns. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, applications to MBA programs globally grew more than 12 per cent in 2024, reversing two consecutive years of declines. Dr Ghauri expects that rebound to continue. 'When there's a bit of a downturn, you see that people want to come back and upskill,' he said. 'They've got perhaps more time to to be able to reflect on their studies and they can go through it a bit more intensively . . . rather than dragging it on over four or five years because of full-time work.' Dr Ghauri pointed to a World Economic Survey that showed AI, big data, technological skills and analytical thinking among the core skills employees would need over the next five years. 'That's why there's always going to be demand for prestigious MBAs,' he said. 'These are the real challenges that our economies are facing, the world is facing, and that's why (people) come into an MBA because they're able to synthesise those challenges with what we teach.' Dr Ghauri notes that while Curtin has a 'very strong' domestic intake, he also sees strong interests from students coming from Brazil, the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore. Dr Ghauri brings over 25 years of global experience across the financial services, agri-business, medical, renewable energy and education sectors. He has worked in more than 12 countries across Asia Pacific, Latin and South America and East Africa.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why B-School graduates are back in demand, but not for old reasons
Boardrooms today are not just hiring for experience or pedigree. They are hiring for context, for systems thinking, and for a kind of intelligence that adapts faster than business models change. In this shifting terrain, business school graduates have re-emerged as valuable hires, not for the reasons they once were, but because of the strategic and technical fluency they now bring. This hiring resurgence is not a return to old patterns. It is a response to a new corporate reality. Artificial intelligence, real-time analytics, and automated operations have altered how businesses function. Employers now need professionals who can understand complexity, work with machines, and still bring human judgment to the table. That blend is exactly what top-tier business graduates are beginning to offer. More than a degree: The rise of the hybrid MBA Companies are no longer hiring MBAs for their ability to draft polished pitch decks or run standard financial models. Those are baseline expectations. What stands out now is the graduate who can operate across domains. A candidate who understands strategy and technology, who can interpret a model's output and ask why it might be flawed, is far more valuable than a specialist with narrow expertise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Earn Upto 5k Daily By This Method of Intraday Trading TradeWise Learn More Undo In 2025, the MBA is no longer a generic business credential. It is a signal that the candidate can work across shifting disciplines, from data science to behavioural economics, and from AI ethics to stakeholder capitalism. This multi-modality is why employers are returning to B-school campuses with sharpened interest. Supporting this trend is fresh data from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). According to its Corporate Recruiters Survey 2025, over 1,100 recruiters globally indicated a strong preference for candidates with not just business acumen but AI tool fluency and decision-making agility. The survey highlights that employers are now prioritising hybrid talent — those who combine technical capability with emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strategic insight. Curriculums that mirror the market The change is also structural within institutions. Leading B-schools have redesigned their programmes to better mirror the volatility of real markets. Traditional subjects are being overhauled. Classroom learning now includes live simulations, AI integration labs, collaborative sprints, and decision-making under uncertainty. Graduates are stepping into roles already equipped with hands-on exposure to tools like generative AI, prompt engineering platforms, and scenario planning dashboards. Recruiters recognise this shift. For them, a recent graduate from such a programme is not a risk. It is a ready-to-deploy asset. The strategic interpreter: A new role for the MBA AI may be fast, but it is still blind without context. This is where business graduates are stepping in. Employers are looking for professionals who can act as interpreters — who understand how machine outputs map to organisational goals, who can question biases in data, and who can apply ethical reasoning in ambiguous settings. In today's AI-augmented workflows, human oversight is not a formality. It is a necessity. Business school graduates, with their training in critical thinking and cross-functional exposure, are well positioned to play this role. Their value lies not in performing tasks, but in ensuring the quality and direction of decisions. Hiring for potential, not just proficiency Perhaps the most significant shift is philosophical. Employers have moved beyond hiring for existing skills. They are now hiring for adaptability. The MBA graduate who has solved complex problems in cross-cultural teams, who has worked through simulated business crises, and who has demonstrated learning agility is far more likely to be hired and retained. B-school curricula have always focused on breadth. What has changed is that this breadth now includes digital depth, behavioural insight, and resilience. As organisations become flatter, faster, and more data-centric, they are placing greater value on individuals who can grow into multiple roles, rather than slotting into a fixed one. A rewritten compact between schools and industry The increase in MBA hiring is not accidental. It reflects a rebalancing of expectations between institutions and employers. Business schools are no longer preparing graduates for fixed titles or legacy roles. They are producing professionals who can lead transformation, not just manage it. Employers have taken note. Hiring managers now look for narrative thinkers who can align people with algorithms, strategy with execution, and ethics with efficiency. That is not something every graduate brings. But where B-schools have embraced this mandate, their alumni are being picked up early and placed in critical roles. A shift in value, not just volume The MBA has not returned to relevance because of nostalgia. It has returned because the nature of work has changed, and the smartest B-schools have changed with it. Today's business graduate is not entering a job. They are entering a dynamic system where their ability to navigate uncertainty, leverage technology, and think long-term makes them indispensable. Recruiters are not hiring more MBAs because they always have. They are hiring them because, for the first time in years, they have become the strategic edge companies are seeking. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Employers keen on hiring B-School graduates as AI integration accelerates: Report
As companies across the globe accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations, business school graduates are emerging as top contenders for leadership and strategic roles, according to the 2025 Corporate Recruiters Survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The annual report underscores a rising demand for professionals equipped not only with business acumen but also with AI proficiency, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities. Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties — including inflation, recession fears, and political volatility — employers maintain a strong hiring outlook for recent graduates from business schools. The survey, which gathered insights from 1,108 corporate recruiters and hiring managers across 46 countries, shows that AI literacy is now among the most highly valued skills, expected to be even more critical in the next five years. 'As AI becomes more integral in a company's decision-making and strategy development, employers continue to turn to business school graduates for their versatility and strategic thinking, along with growing appreciation for their ability to innovate and navigate the challenges and opportunities of technological disruption,' said Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC. A staggering 99 per cent of global employers express confidence in business schools' ability to prepare graduates for success. Nearly two-thirds say the skills acquired through a graduate business degree are more vital than ever in the tech-driven economy. While AI proficiency is climbing in importance, human-centric skills remain foundational. Over half of employers prioritise communication skills, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in hiring decisions. As remote and hybrid work become entrenched in corporate culture, 56 per cent of employers say business school graduates are better prepared for these environments. Online and hybrid degree programmes are gaining legitimacy, with 55 per cent of employers valuing them equally to traditional in-person formats. 61 per cent of recruiters believe Gen Z business graduates display the same level of professionalism as prior cohorts. However, skepticism lingers in client-facing industries like consulting and healthcare, where around 25 per cent express concerns. Generalist business degrees, especially MBAs, continue to dominate hiring forecasts. About 76 per cent of employers expect to hire the same or more MBA graduates in 2025 compared to this year, with 90 per cent planning to onboard MBA talent — outpacing hires with only bachelor's degrees or prior work experience. Christine Murray, associate dean and managing director of McDonough Career Center at Georgetown University, notes, 'As flexibility in work and learning becomes a norm, business school graduates — with degrees or credentials earned in-person or remotely — should feel empowered that their employability continues to outperform those without an advanced management degree.' With more than two decades of data, GMAC's Corporate Recruiters Survey remains a benchmark for tracking trends in business graduate employability, compensation, and skill demand. This year's findings reaffirm the growing synergy between AI fluency and human-centric capabilities, making business school graduates uniquely positioned to lead in a rapidly evolving corporate world.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
B-school graduates a preferred choice for employers for strategic thinking despite AI boom, claims survey
Artificial Intelligence (AI) might be becoming more integral in a company's decision-making and strategy development but employers still continue to turn to business school graduates for their versatility and strategic thinking, according to a new survey by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Employers continue to turn to business school graduates for their versatility and strategic thinking, despite AI being integral in a company's decision-making and strategy development. (Unsplash) Employers might be reporting ongoing influence of inflation and recession fears on their hiring decisions but recent business school graduates can remain optimistic about their career prospects, buoyed by the accelerating integration of AI across the landscape, the survey has found. Also read: UPSC CAPF ACs 2025 exam timetable released at check schedule here The annual survey of global corporate recruiters by GMAC has found that problem-solving and strategic thinking remain the top skills employers desire today. In addition, new hires' knowledge of using AI tools has risen measurably in its current importance in the average employer's mind since last year, and it tops the list of the skills employers will value the most five years from now. "As AI becomes more integral in a company's decision-making and strategy development, employers continue to turn to business school graduates for their versatility and strategic thinking, along with growing appreciation for their ability to innovate and navigate the challenges and opportunities of technological disruption," says Joy Jones, CEO at GMAC. Also read: JNU to conduct entrance exam for two PhD courses not covered under UGC-NET, check details "I give kudos to business schools' intentional cultivation of these relevant skills in their students, who stand out even more as valuable contributors and future leaders in the ever-evolving business world," Jones added. This year's survey was conducted with a total of 1,108 corporate recruiters and hiring managers — nearly two-thirds of them with Global Fortune 500 companies participating from organisations and staffing firms in 46 countries. According to the survey, an overwhelming 99 per cent of global employers express confidence in business schools' ability to prepare graduates for success within their organisations. Moreover, nearly two-thirds affirmed that the skills gained through a graduate business degree are more critical than ever, as companies increasingly adopt emerging tech. "As flexibility in work and learning becomes a norm, business school graduates with degrees or credentials earned in-person or remotely should feel empowered that their employability continues to outperform those without an advanced management degree, especially when they understand and underscore how they are skilled in strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communications alongside technological savvy," said Christine Murray, Associate Dean at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. For more than two decades, the Corporate Recruiters Survey has provided the world's graduate business schools and employers with data and insights to understand current trends in skill demand, hiring, compensation and perceptions of MBA and business master's graduates. This year's survey was in the field from January to March. Also read: UP Board Class 10th, 12th compartment exam 2025 dates out, check schedule here According to the findings, more than half of global employers cite the value of communication skills in their hiring decisions, with employers also valuing candidates' emotional intelligence and adaptability in their current and future hiring decisions. "56 per cent of global employers agree or strongly agree that the skills gained through a business degree are more important than before for businesses using remote or hybrid working arrangements and roughly the same percentage also agree or strongly agree that they value graduates of online or predominantly online and in-person programs equally," the survey report said.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What is the average MBA salary?
The average MBA graduate can expect to make six figures as their base salary, with the average salary coming out to around $120,000 annually. The average MBA salary varies by state, with Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Alaska and Vermont earning the highest wages. Your exact salary will depend on your location, your job role and experience. If you're considering or pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree (MBA), the investment could be worth it. An MBA is one of the best-paid graduate degrees you can receive since it could lead to a six-figure salary. That said, how much an MBA graduate earns depends on several factors, such as where they live, where they graduated from, what kind of industry they work in, as well as experience and any specialized licenses gained. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council's 2024 Corporate Recruiters Survey Report, the average starting salary for U.S. MBA graduates is around $120,000, whereas PayScale estimates the average salary for an MBA graduate to be $100,000. An MBA salary depends on four things: Where you live Which school you attended Your exact job Experience MBA graduates take on a wide variety of roles from product developers to financial officers or chief operating roles. The higher you climb, the higher your salary will be. Below are some of the highest-paying jobs for MBA graduates by industry: Industry Median MBA salary Legal and professional services $225,000 Consulting $190,000 Financial services $175,000 Manufacturing $165,000 Technology $162,750 FinTech $157,500 Your exact MBA salary is set based on a variety of factors, and research has shown they can significantly affect how much you get paid. How many years you've spent in your role directly correlates with how much you get paid, but even new MBA graduates can make six figures. Generally speaking, the more professional experience you have, the higher your salary. The following table shows how an MBA grad holder's salary tends to increase over time: Years of experience Median MBA salary 4-6 years $122,000 10-14 years $166,000 15+ years $200,000 While the gender pay gap has improved over the last 57 years, it persists. Women continue to earn less than men for doing similar jobs. Right after earning an MBA, the average pay for women in their first post-MBA job was $131,449 compared to an average pay of $140,007 for men — an $8,558 gap, according to a 2024 Forté Foundation online survey. According to the Forté Foundation's research, the gap widens even further when the MBA survey participants were asked to reveal their current salaries. While the average current salary for males was $216,487, the average current salary for women was $179,987 — a $36,500 difference. Level of experience Men Women Pre-MBA $80,852 $86,338 First job post-MBA $140,007 $131,449 Average current salaries $216,487 $179,987 Location plays a big role in how much you can expect to earn. Cities with higher living costs tend to have higher average salaries, while states with lower living costs tend to have lower average salaries. The demand for MBA roles in a state can also impact the average salary. For example, regions with high demand for MBA-level jobs often have higher average wages. Below are the states with the top-five highest, mid-range and lowest average salaries: State Average MBA salary Washington $187,300 New York $180,923 Massachusetts $180,607 Alaska $178,097 Vermont $175,833 State Average MBA salary Illinois $160,250 Maine $160,113 Wyoming $158,959 Nebraska $157,674 Indiana $157,362 State Average MBA salary Louisiana $141,414 Georgia $139,638 Arkansas $136,747 West Virginia $126,026 Florida $123,582 Different MBA programs may foster more knowledge and skills that allow you to go after high-paying roles at the companies you apply for. Accredited programs will typically hold more weight than nonaccredited programs. If you go to a program that has a network of successful alumni, you have a better chance of earning a higher salary since they tend to hire or start new things with other alumni. Students who graduated in 2024 with MBAs from these schools had the highest average starting salaries: School Salary Stanford University $221,471 University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) $213,129 University of Chicago (Booth) $212,211 Harvard University $210,125 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) $205,270 Dartmouth College (Tuck) $204,090 New York University (Stern) $203,176 Columbia University $202,234 Northwestern University (Kellogg) $202,225 Cornell University (Johnson) $200,405 Ultimately, the question of whether an MBA is worth it depends on your career aspirations and how much you may need to borrow to pay for your program. According to SoFi, the average MBA graduate takes on $81,218 in debt just to complete graduate school. Nellie Gaynor, an IvyWise MBA and graduate school admissions counselor, thinks an MBA from a top-tier school is definitely worth it: Studies back up Gaynor's observations. The Graduate Management Admission Council's 2024 Corporate Recruiter Survey Report shows that U.S. MBA graduates' starting salaries are roughly 1.75 times higher than those of bachelor's degree holders. Keep in mind: Some high-level business careers don't require an MBA. For example, you don't need an MBA to become a CEO. As a result, it's important to consider whether you can earn a higher salary without earning a degree. If you're unsure whether an MBA would help, speak with your current employer or individuals who work in your desired career field. Earning an MBA could lead to a significant increase in your salary, depending on where you live. Some states have average salaries close to $190,000, though you should take into consideration years of experience, what type of job you pursue and other factors that may impact your earning. Before you shell out thousands of dollars on an MBA program, weigh the pros and cons to see if it's the best career move for you. Which MBA gives the highest salary? Your potential MBA salary depends on which school you attend, where you live and the field you choose. According to average salary data, those who work in legal and professional services have the highest salaries. The state with the highest salary for MBA graduates is Washington. Stanford University boasts the highest salary for graduates. What is the average lifetime salary for an MBA graduate? In general, salaries increase the longer someone works in the field. People with four to six years of experience make a median salary of about $122,000, while people with 15 or more years of experience earn a median salary almost double that at $200,000. If you factor in the total years of experience, the median salary comes out to be about $133,000 per year. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
