The MBA Class of 2024 Creates Immediate Impact in Finance, AI, Health Care, and Beyond
From the finance industry to the rise in entrepreneur founders who are crafting their own opportunities through their ventures, 2024 was a standout year for the graduates of Babson’s MBA program.
In the finance industry, the number of Babson MBAs entering the field saw an increase, and the graduates who landed finance positions earned 30% more on average compared with 2023 ($117,500 in the United States).
On a broader scale, the MBA Class of 2024 found work across a wide range of industries, following similar trends from years past, including technology (20%), financial services (18%), consumer packaged goods and retail (12%), manufacturing (12%), and consulting (9%).
In the face of a trying job market, finding career opportunities that are both engaging and satisfying can take time. However, at the end of the process, Babson’s MBA graduates consistently find excellent landings, with those working in the United States reporting an average salary of $108,308 and an average signing bonus of $22,200 in 2024.
“As a result of the coaching and support they receive, graduates have been persistent and strategic with the roles they apply to in this job market, successfully conveying their experience for employers in need of entrepreneurial leaders,” said Jessica Chance, director of Babson’s Graduate Center for Career Development.
Babson’s MBA graduates are producing impactful work and creating positive outcomes for their clients, communities, and employers. Their reputation for excellence stands out most clearly in the hiring trends at companies such as Amazon, Hubspot, Wayfair, and EY, which have consistently hired recent MBA and master’s of science graduates from Babson.
“Employers come back because they know they’re going to get an excellent, personalized employer relations experience,” Chance said. “They return to Babson knowing the talent they recruit will exceed expectations.”
Get to know a handful of Babson’s most recent MBA graduates, and discover where they have taken their MBA.
The AI Trailblazer
Srija Dandala MBA’24, business leader at EasyBee AI
Srija Dandala MBA’24, drawn to Babson’s vibrant startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial focus, began her MBA with ambitions of working at a fast-paced organization where her decisions would shape the future of the company. That, coupled with her interest in artificial intelligence, made her first introduction to EasyBee AI feel like an opportunity too good to pass up.
“My current role gave me the chance to lead business efforts at a startup, contribute to transformative AI technologies, and collaborate with an incredibly driven team,” Dandala said. “Being part of a startup where I can see the direct impact of my work has been both exciting and deeply fulfilling.”
Her hard work has not gone unnoticed. After creating the company’s first AI agent, which allowed EasyBee AI to automate its content marketing, Dandala was promoted to head of the business team—within two months of hire.
“Babson’s entrepreneurial ecosystem provided a platform to experiment with ideas, build critical skills, and learn from inspiring peers and professors,” Dandala said. “The experiential learning opportunities helped me refine my problem-solving skills, and the network opened doors to unique opportunities like my current role at EasyBee AI.”
“Through entrepreneurship, I could solve problems no one else was solving to help patient populations that needed it most.”
Kyra Chester-Paul MBA’24, medical liaison for ReviMo
The Healthcare Innovator
Kyra Chester-Paul MBA’24, medical liaison for ReviMo
Kyra Chester-Paul MBA’24 began her One-Year MBA with an MD already in progress, taking a temporary leave of absence from her medical program to complete her MBA. “Through entrepreneurship,” she said, “I could solve problems no one else was solving to help patient populations that needed it most.”
As she searched for a way to apply her business knowledge to the medical field, she felt a strong connection to the problem that classmate Aleksandr Malashchenko MBA’24 aimed to solve with ReviMo, their B.E.T.A. Challenge-winning venture. “As a former EMT who started her career in patient transfer, I deeply understood the needs in this space,” Chester-Paul said.
Following graduation, Chester-Paul started work as medical liaison for ReviMo, with a long-term plan to become an emergency room physician.
“Babson taught me that I was aiming too small, that it is possible to build something from nothing,” she said, “and that regardless of what career path or rut you are in, it is possible to find novel ways to create value.”
The Mental Health Champion
Deepanshi Bansal MBA’24, CEO and founder of ShineQuo
In addition to those seeking employment upon graduation, 14% of Babson’s 2024 MBA graduates instead began or returned to their own businesses as founder entrepreneurs. Founded during the course of her MBA, Deepanshi Bansal MBA’24 continues her work with ShineQuo, a platform focused on action-oriented coaching that is designed to help college students manage stress while developing life skills.
“While solutions can evolve and adapt, knowing the problem inside and out is non-negotiable,” Bansal said, reflecting upon her growth as a business owner. “Babson’s emphasis on customer discovery taught me the importance of getting close to the end users and buyers, seeking their feedback, and iterating constantly.”
She encourages entrepreneurs at Babson not to wait. “Use your time to research, validate your idea, and pivot if necessary,” Bansal said. “Build connections within your industry and leverage Babson’s ecosystem for feedback and mentorship. Participate in competitions and pitch events. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a clearer roadmap for your business and yourself.”
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