Sharon Irwin-Foulon | Rosy job market for MBAs despite economy

Despite the gloomy economy, employers are still keen to hire MBA graduates.

Sharon Irwin-Foulon, Executive Director of Career Management and Corporate Recruiting at Ivey, told the Globe and Mail  firms are still showing interest in Ivey students.

“I’m not hearing any panic or decrease in hiring. The firms are all very engaged,” she said.

According to Ivey’s MBA 2015 employment report, 92 per cent of 129 students had received an offer by Sept 1, 2015, with an average salary of $101,479 (including signing bonus and other guaranteed compensation).

A recent poll from the Graduate Management Admission Council of 159 employers (66 per cent from the U.S.) also showed 75 per cent of employers expect to hire MBA graduates this year (compared to 71 per cent last year). Additionally, 56 per cent of employers plan to increase base salaries at or above the rate of inflation for new MBA hires, with 73 per cent of those surveyed planning to offer internships.