DBS retrenched 450 employees in Singapore, Citigroup will cut about 300 jobs, and Neptune Orient Lines will cut 1,000 jobs mainly in the USA with some cuts expected here.

What are the current difficulties for business schools?  Will they prosper?  How will the poor economic conditions affect job prospects for students that will graduate next year or in two years?  What are the difficulties ahead? 

Reading current news and analyses will help to make sense of what is happening and may happen.  Their forecasts will not be completely accurate or predictive in these unusual times, but keeping up to date will provide some perspective. 

Kenny Chee reported that more people have applied for MBAs as part of continuing efforts to improve their qualifications, skills and knowledge.  However an MBA may not assure a graduate of job security or advancement.

Ong Dai Lin reported that business schools will probably see more students as fears over jobs increase. 

Increases in business school attendances in the United States are also expected by Damast.

Some regions expect that job offers will contract and that students will face a longer time to be placed in organizations (Indian express and Mint).

Sources:

Chee, K. (2008, November 13).  More apply for MBAs during slump.  MyPaper.  Accessed November 21, 2008, from the Factiva database in Nanyang Technological University.

Damast, A. (2008, November 24).  B-schools and the financial bust; applications are up, but the job outlook for grads, particularly in finance, is dismal.  BusinessWeek.  Accessed November 21, 2008, from the Business Source Premier database in Nanyang Technological University.

Damast, A. (2008, August 28).  Sagging economy boosting b-school programs; a sagging economy and a weak job market are providing a boost to B-school programs.  BusinessWeek.  Accessed November 21, 2008, from the Business Source Premier database in Nanyang Technological University.

Indian Express (2008, November 21).  Crisis hits home, IIM-L class waits for summer job offers.  Indian Express.  Accessed November 21, 2008, from the Factiva database in Nanyang Technological University. 

Mint (2008, November 17).  B-schools must be ready for an economic U-turn.  Mint.  Accessed November 21, 2008, from the Factiva database in Nanyang Technological University. 

Ong, D. L. (2008, November 11).  Nothing like a financial downturn…; business schools remain optimistic despite the tough economic outlook.  TODAY.  Accessed November 24, 2008, from the Factiva database in Nanyang Technological University.

Related Posts

• 17 April 2009 -- Getting Unemployment Data
• 6 May 2008 -- Did NTU add value to you?