The new criterion for MBA admissions - BW article

"Employability" doesn't necessarily mean non-career switcher.

Very true.

For example, an engineer going from chemical manufacturing (on the technical side) to the oil industry (on the business side) is a career change, but also one very supported by employers.

I think one way to overcome any issues with a career change is to do your homework and make sure that comes across in your essays. Doing things like talking to people who have already made the same career change or even just talking to people in your target industry and getting positive feedback about your goals can go a long way to convincing the admin of the feasibility of your goals.

RF

I don't think it will have too much of an effect this coming application season. It's already competitive due to the layoffs that occurred over the past year. The gradual shift to emphasis on employability referred to in this article isn't going to make or break most applicants.

I don't think this is a new criteria, employability has long been something schools have thought about. Its especially true these days when you have such a tough job market. Having a significant number of students/grads having buyers remorse will certainly have a negative impact on a schools brand. This year was very tough and its unclear how long it will last, so schools definitely might be more careful with admitting students that based on experience will be tougher to find suitable jobs for.

Refurb,

I plan on doing what you suggested, going from a technical engineering position to oil..... Hopefully schools don't have a problem with that

techincal engineering to oil is a really good path. Thats one of the best feeders for the big oil companies. They definitely can leverage your technical knowledge and it also helps that is the background of nearly all the senior management have engineering degrees. Where I am, most everyone has an engineering undergrad and most managers have advanced degrees an equal mix of MBA's and MS eng, with a handful of Phds and JDs.

I wouldn't be that worried about it. It all related to the ancient question of realistic goals. If your career change it realistic (i.e., you're a lawyer who wants to go into general management) than your career switch essay will be fine. If you are a painter hoping to start his own hedge fund straight out of school you may be in a bit of a problem.

The problem with these articles is that they take something and make a much bigger deal out of it. MBA applicants are at a stage where they are thirsty for this information and view places like Businessweek as a reliable source. Unfortunately, businessweek and its counterparts have to sell page views so it makes sense for them to post articles like this one.

Career switchers - just make sure your feet are on the ground and that your goals are realistic.