It is difficult to go anywhere, speak to anyone, or turn on the radio or television without hearing about the economy. These are indeed unprecedented times and will obviously have an impact on business schools across the world. I’ve heard a number of times—with an obvious trace of sarcasm—“this must be a great time to be dean of a business school.” People seem shocked to hear me say, “it sure is!” Here are three reasons why things are better than ever at Mays:
- We have a wonderful opportunity to provide a dynamic education to our students. Our classes have shifted from relying on textbooks and published cases to reviewing the latest information in the most recent Wall Street Journal, Fortune, BusinessWeek, and other publications. Our top quality faculty members are teaching not only what is happening but also the reasons it is happening, and facilitating discussions on what outcomes may emerge.
- Our students have an unprecedented opportunity to be part of a major shift. Our graduates will not be moving into a “business as usual” world with well-defined jobs. They have a chance to be part of something challenging, innovative, and evolving. They will witness changes in companies and industries as they begin their careers and be part of the solutions. This type of opportunity isn’t for everybody…but it is for students who are hardworking, creative, and not afraid to seek a challenge…like Mays graduates.
- Employers will still seek talent from their best sources. Interviewing activity on campus is down this year; reading about the large number of layoffs, closures, and other corporate restructurings, that should surprise nobody. However, as employers become even more discerning about where they invest their recruiting efforts, due to our preferred status with many top organizations, Mays Business School will continue to see interest from recruiters; This was evidenced by the 112 companies who participated in our Business Student Council career fair last month.
This economy certainly presents challenges to all of us. Our goal at Mays Business School is not to prepare students for their first professional jobs, but to prepare them for their careers. This mindset, along with the top quality education our students receive, serves them well, particularly in times such as these.
