Indian Employers Still Value Traditional Degrees Instead Of Skills, Contrasting Trends With US: GMAC Survey

According to a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), Indian employers show a greater interest in hiring graduates from business schools.

The survey highlights the importance of skills such as communication, data analysis, and strategy for business school graduates.

The survey also reveals that employers believe business schools provide an advantage over candidates without a graduate management education.

This preference is particularly evident among employers in Asia and Fortune 500 companies, who tend to hire graduates from "leading" business schools.

Interestingly, even after the Covid pandemic, employers still prioritise candidates who have attended in-person programmes over those with online degrees or micro-credentials.

Andrew Walker, director of research analysis and communications at GMAC, suggests that graduates of online business degrees should tailor their discussions about their credentials based on the employer.

Asian employers are more likely to value the degree itself, while US employers and those in the consulting industry are more interested in hearing about specific skills acquired.

While micro-credentials may not impress employers as much as graduate business degrees, some employers do appreciate the skills they bring.

Despite concerns about a recession, hiring plans for 2023 show a positive outlook, especially for business master's graduates. There is an anticipated increase in hiring compared to the actual results from 2022.