Employment Report 2020 shows power of IESE MBA to boost careers

A pandemic and resulting economic crisis may not seem an optimal time for anyone’s career prospects, let alone if you are trying to make an ambitious career change. Yet IESE MBAs continue to be highly sought after by recruiters worldwide.

Despite the massive disruption to recruiting caused by COVID-19 this year, 87% of IESE’s MBA Class of 2020 found employment within three months of graduation (as calculated according to the MBACSE rules.) What is more, a significant portion of the class used their MBA experience to make a substantial career switch this year.

A class of career changers

According to IESE’s 2020 MBA Employment Report, Europe was the most popular career destination for the Class of 2020, with 46% of graduates accepting jobs on the continent (26% in wider Europe, 20% in Spain.) Latin America (22%) and Asia-Pacific (20%) were the next most popular regions for alums.

In terms of sectors, consulting continues to reign supreme with around 33% of the class, followed by industry (29%), financial services (23%), and technology (15%.) Of those who chose consultancy, around 80% were career changers without prior experience in the sector.

And career change is a key theme for the class of 2020. About a third of the class made a notoriously difficult “triple jump” career switch this year – changing sector, function and geographic location all in one go. (An increase from 21% of the class last year.)

The figures highlight the power of an IESE MBA for those thinking of changing their career path. On the program, students have access to a dedicated careers center with expertise in different sectors and regions. They also are able to take a corporate internship between the first and second year, giving them a chance to test and try out different career options.

One such triple jumper is Rohit Gokul. With a background in engineering, he was an entrepreneur working in the United Arab Emirates prior to studying at IESE. He says the career support offered on the IESE MBA, including providing sector-specific and regional expertise, was key to landing his current position at Citigroup Corporate and Investment Bank in the U.K.

“Coming from a non-traditional background…I can confidently attest to the fact that the career services and Finance Club take all the credit for my successful transition into investment banking,” Gokul said. “Having closely worked with the Career Development Center, I have witnessed first-hand how the entire team goes the extra mile, making all the difference.”

Connecting recruiters with IESE MBA talent

In a year marked by uncertainty, the latest report shows the trust the world’s leading companies place in IESE for its recruiting needs. Around 300 companies currently recruit at IESE, including: A.T Kearney, AB InBev, Amazon, Bain, BCG, Citigroup, EY, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Mastercard, McKinsey, Michelin, Microsoft, Nike, Novartis, PepsiCo, Unicef, Werfen and ZS Associates.

Each year, IESE’s Career Development Center organizes numerous activities with these companies, offering structured recruiting opportunities as well as providing career guidance for students both before and during the MBA program, dedicated events, workshops and support, among others.

IESE’s MBA Class of 2020 counts 356 students of 55 different nationalities, with an average age of 31 at graduation.

Download the latest 2020 MBA Employment Report here.