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What are recent MBA's targeting for work?

Brian

Hi,

I left graduate school in 1995 and have held multiple positions in managment since then. I am curious to see what recent graduates are targeting for work in our current economy. Personally, I am looking for a position in Project Managment. I was recently laid off and my previous role was in Telecom. My function included using both database managment and project management skills.

As we see many job's being eliminated, we should be asking ourseleves what happens to the work left behind. If it does not move overseas, who is handeling the work? I am being very cautious in my approach to obtaining a new job. This is when we need to be examining our target companies financial health very carefully before considering applying for an advertised rec / position.

 

What are you finding for challenging opportunities in today's work marketplace?

Replies to this Topic

Jen
  • Jun 08, 2009 04:02PM
Hi Brian - I'm in the same boat - just graduated with an MBA from Europe, now I'm targeting project management as well. Although I just read that PM are only at 60% of what they were last year. Depressing! I'm now targeting process efficiency or even PMO, but I'm finding that, especially here in the Bay Area, companies are valuing experience over education, and I'm attempting to switch fields. So the real question is do we find "survival jobs" in the meantime or stick it out until the economy gets better? I'm going for the former since I (and most people out there) have bills to pay! -Jen
Jennifer

Hello Jennifer and Brian and others.

This is Jennifer Rosky and I am a Career Transition Specialist and have been an Exeucutive Recruiter for MBA over the past 14 years.  I work with a large number of clients looking to leverage their Marketing, Project Management and New Business or New Product Development experience.  I am guiding them to leverage their experience, education and training into completely new industries and functions that they have never considered before.

In the meantime, I have a three-pronged strategy for "Survival Jobs" while you are looking. Yes, you should consider:



 1)  Contracting work in the company and function that you have been laid off from.  They need you and the resources that you bring to the table.

2) Contracting or Consulting for one of your previous company's competitors.  (If they've laid you off, they don't care about what company "secrets" or proprietary information that you know.

3) Start looking for Temp or Contract work in new areas of interest or functions that you have not previously engaged in to expand your work experience and companies and industries on your resume and in your portfolio. 

Please contact me if you would like more information on my strategies for "Finding a great new job in a Down Economy."  Jennifer Rosky; jennifer@CareerProgressions.net





  

Kim

Hello, all.

Thank you for starting this discussion, Brian.  It is enlightening to learn what others are seeking and the challenges they are facing today. My background is entertainment and tech, but I graduated with an MBA early last year and have been focusing on searching for work this year -- with no luck.  I have been looking at project management, consulting, and analyst positions (strategic planning or financial).  

I have reached out to many and understand that it is just the times, and not a reflection of ME.  Time to think outside the box and go about searching for work in a different way; job expos and getting out in front of people is the way I am going now.  

Good luck to all of us, and thank you, Jennifer, for your input.

 

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