Graduating MBA students self-perception of their preparedness for employment

The purpose of this study was to determine if students graduating from Masters of Business Administration Programs (MBA) believe they are prepared to assume to their place in American industry and to examine the relationship between various program factors and variables which may impact the graduate's perception of his or her preparedness to enter the workforce upon graduation. A questionnaire was developed containing items which address the MBA program of studies and ask the students their perceptions of their abilities to use the knowledge and skills taught in the program. The questionnaire was mailed to the deans or directors of 100 American business schools offering the MBA selected at random from a list of institutions provided by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). The results of the survey indicate that students who had a greater break between graduation from high school and completion of their MBA program perceived themselves as better prepared than those with less of a break. Additionally, students who attended programs accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and those attending programs ranked by the US News and World Report annual ranking of best business schools did not perceive themselves as being better prepared than students who attended non-ranked and non-accredited programs.