The Rapid Rise of the Babson MBA Class of 2022
The past year may have been a whirlwind for job seekers, offering both successes and challenges, but the full-time Babson MBA Class of 2022 proved to be rapid risers amid changing environments in the workplaces that ask them to reimagine what it means to be an innovator, a working professional, and an entrepreneurial leader.
Within three months of graduation, 84% of Babson’s newest full-time MBA graduates seeking employment received a job offer, earning an average U.S.-based salary of $116,935, a significant increase from previous years, with many earning an additional signing bonus averaging $32,773. And, they thrived across industries, seizing a growing number of opportunities in fields such as technology (24%), finance (22%), and consulting (13%).
We asked some of our most recent MBA graduates to share their experiences at Babson and with the Graduate Center for Career Development (CCD) as they began new roles around the country.
Describe your partnership with Babson’s CCD.
JerDrema Virginia Flynt M.Ed, MBA’22, Fulbright recipient and founder and CEO of Growing Hands: “I am an educator who decided to attend business school. I was teaching eighth-graders, and I believed I would attend business school and go back directly into teaching with a better understanding as to why MBA administrators were making the decisions that were not supporting students in ways I saw helpful.
“Margaret Jones in the CCD was an amazing resource for me. She helped me begin to see my skills as an educator and activist as transferable into the world of business. She patiently waited as I expressed my thoughts. She provided me with new vocabulary and introduced me to other alumni who could talk about their job history and pathway. She coached me. She created doors and windows for me to walk through and look out of to see myself in different lights, and chisel out different lanes for myself.”
Sukreet Singh MBA’22, management consultant, PwC US: “Not only did I get their help and advice throughout, but I also took a case interview sprint during the summer that was a great experience. Additionally, I was given the opportunity by the CCD team to share my experiences and achievements with new students by being invited to relevant event panels.”
How did Babson’s alumni network play a role in your job search?
Aakash Shah MBA’22, co-founder and CEO, High Time Foods: “I extensively tapped into Babson’s alumni network. In fact, some of our introductions to investors and connections have happened because of our esteemed alumni. An alumni who is a VC investor in my industry encouraged me to start my company. Additionally, it was great to be able to speak with alumni who are immigrant entrepreneurs like me—they have helped me navigate the challenges I face.”
Sharmila Kotha MBA’22, finance manager, Amazon: “I reached out to the Babson alumni network to understand various job roles and organizations. This helped me figure out the roles and companies I need to target. They gave me direction toward the areas of my interest and passed on any contacts they know.”
Describe your experience as an international student in the job-search process. What helped your resume stand out?
Tatiana Loureiro MBA’22, project and learning success manager, PrepMD LLC: “I truly believe the most important part, whether you’re an American or not, is focus on targeting what’s written in the resume to that one specific job posting. Is it time-consuming? Yes, it can be, but it’s 100% worth it. So, things like certain keywords, matching the job posting’s requirements to your experience, and having a well-written, concise, and revised resume are crucial in my opinion. I also think targeted cover letters are important, although not every employer reads them.”
Singh: “I believe the resume is important but just one part of the pie that one leverages during the job search, especially in today’s AI environment. What can make one really stand out is how proactive you are in your networking skills, how well you are prepared for your interviews, how well you have researched the company as well as the role you are applying to, and how passionate you are about the job that you are interested in.”
Kotha: “One critical element that helped me stand out was showing and highlighting our transferable skills. For example, working with multilingual companies in India shows that we can adapt and comprehend beyond language barriers. It is also very important to identify and highlight those transferable skills that are relevant to the employment/company one is targeting. This relevancy is the most crucial element in standing out when we are under much heightened scrutiny.”
“Babson’s MBA program provided me with new lenses, frameworks, and practical applications to look at problems from a variety of perspectives and a constant reminder that solutions are forever evolving.”
JerDrema Virginia Flynt M.Ed, MBA’22
How did Babson bring you closer to achieving your dreams and aspirations?
Flynt: “I applied to Babson to study racism. As an educator, my goal has always been and continues to be to deconstruct and then reconstruct our education system to support students better by creating spaces where they are reminded that they are dreamers and activists, especially students who are from marginalized communities like myself. Babson’s MBA program provided me with new lenses, frameworks, and practical applications to look at problems from a variety of perspectives and a constant reminder that solutions are forever evolving. So, being a Fulbrighter to continue learning and educating is one aspect of my dreams as an educator and building a Black and Brown-centered tech platform dedicated to supporting their hair journey by creating hairboards, connecting to hairstylists, and sharing hair care tips is another. Why? Education and community are synonymous to me. I will build that everywhere I go.”
Amelia Thomas MBA’22, president, River Otter Consulting: “I had a 10-year plan of starting a green energy company to bring the speed and dramatic change from biotechnology into the green energy space. My 10-year plan has been reduced to a two-year plan as I have found a technology I like and co-founder through my experience at Babson. We are launching in 2024. I would not have even dreamt this was possible without the guidance of the Babson professors and the support of the Babson alumni.”
What advice do you have for current MBA students?
Claudia Monteverde MBA’22, finance leadership program MBA, ServiceNow: “Enjoy the MBA experience from day one. Time flies during the program and you will never have time for the ‘I’ll do it next semester.’ Make a lot of friends, enroll in the initiatives or projects that you have never tried before and get out of your comfort zone.”
Thomas: “Talk to your professors after class and talk to fellow students. They are gold mines of learning and opportunities. Most of your fellow students are brilliant and driven people, that’s who generally attend Babson.”
Kotha: “Keep calm! It feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel when we are going through the job-search process. Take time and introspect about the skills you hold, you developed at Babson and those you’re working on. Identify the most important ones and plan how you can present them during interviews.”
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