Career Aspirations: mba.com Prospective Students Survey 2019

Overview

This report summarizes findings from the mba.com Prospective Students Survey associated with candidates’ postgraduate management education career interests, including goals, industries, and job functions.

Quick Facts

• Over the last 10 years the share of candidates who plan to stay on their current career path has increased, growing from 36 percent in 2009 to 41 percent in 2018.
• Over the same period, trending down has been the share of candidates who plan to switch job functions (42% vs. 36%) and share of candidates who plan to switch industries (32% vs. 27%).
• Candidate aspirations for entrepreneurial careers grew from 20 percent to 30 percent between 2009 and 2013 and have moderated down to a consistent 25 percent over the last three years.
• Candidate aspirations for international employment opportunities trended down to a recent low of 27 percent in 2017, consistent with the reduced international student mobility seen in the current political climate. In 2018 it bounced back upward slightly to 29 percent.