Darden’s recently released 2019–20 Full-Time MBA Employment Report tracked career outcomes for full-time students in the Class of 2019 and internship stats for the Class of 2020. Graduates entered a job market with exceptionally high demand for MBA talent, putting many students in a unique position to capitalize on the shifting career landscape.
Here are five key takeaways from the Class of 2019’s employment outcomes:
- Highest starting salaries in school history. Darden’s full-time MBA Class of 2019 received the highest starting salary in school history, with an average base salary of $135,168 — about a $7,400 increase over the Class of 2018.
- Highest percentage of offers accepted. The 2019 class also achieved a high-water mark for job offers accepted within 90 days after graduation, with 96 percent of the class accepting a full-time job offer in that time period.
- 14-year high in offers received. In addition to breaking the record for offers accepted, the Class of 2019 tied a record for offers received within 90 days of graduation; 97 percent received at least one full-time job offer in that time, tying a record set by the Class of 2005.
- Double-digit gains for international students. Ninety-four percent of students without permanent U.S. work authorization accepted a full-time job offer within 90 days, up from 82 percent last year. Many international students took advantage of Darden’s specialization in management science, which is a designated STEM degree and can improve their chances of employment in the U.S.
- A variety of industries and locations. At least one 2019 Darden graduate went into each of the 14 industries tracked by the MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance, which provides national standards for MBA employment reports. Ninety-four percent of the class accepted roles in the U.S., with 31 percent in the Northeast, 19 percent in the mid-Atlantic, 17 percent in the West, 12 percent in the South, 8 percent in the Southwest and 7 percent in the Midwest. Internationally, 3 percent of graduates accepted jobs in Asia and 2 percent in Latin America.
According to Jeff McNish, Darden’s assistant dean of career development, the results highlight the talent and dedication of Darden students and the career services staff working to support them. “These outcomes indicate a strong employment market and, at the same time, reflect two achievements: first, Darden’s talented student body; and second, the strong partnership between our students and the career center,” McNish said.
Read the full story on UVA Today.
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