2008-11-18 21:32:00 -

Military MBA, which monitors job market trends for military personnel pursuing an MBA degree, recently noted the more the job market changes, the more demand increases for attributes unique to military service. The group observed some surprises, however, at a recent career conference, which Military MBA calls very encouraging for candidates who combine their leadership in the military with an

MBA degree.
The inaugural Midwest MBA Veterans Career Conference, held recently in Chicago, connected 60 military veterans currently enrolled in 10 regional MBA schools with employers from various industries throughout Chicago. Military MBA"s coverage of the event confirmed prior findings, with some surprising observations.
"While our history of market research has always shown a strong demand for MBA students with former military experience, it was surprising to see firsthand the number of employers stepping up their efforts to recruit military MBAs in these challenging economic times," recalls Military MBA"s Greg Eisenbarth. "This is a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster employment market."
Discussions with the event"s participating career experts reinforced Military MBA"s findings from previous research concerning the key reasons employers recruit military MBAs. Given the current shifting and unpredictable economic climate, these qualities have taken on greater importance:
- Adapting to change. Leaders must be comfortable working in unfamiliar circumstances and adapting to succeed in difficult situations.
- Up for challenge. Knowing how to survive and rebuild under uncertainty and pressure.
- Combat experience. Many of today"s officers and NCOs (non-commissioned officers) have wartime and combat experience that make them more capable of performing in today"s challenging and stressful business environments.
- Values. A distressed economy, partly a byproduct of deregulation and unrestricted greed, has employers looking for candidates who show integrity, discipline, and values cultivated and deployed through military service.
- Diversity and Leadership. The leadership experience and multi-cultural exposure made possible in the military prepares these candidates to excel in increasingly diverse environments at home and abroad.
Discussions with participants also reinforced Military MBA"s findings concerning the keys to success for MBA students and job candidates. Due to President-elect Obama"s plans to withdraw troops in Iraq, eliminate stop gaps, and implement the New $62 Billion GI Bill, the number of soldiers transitioning from the military into MBA schools " and ultimately the job market " is expected to escalate. With increased competition, networking with peers becomes invaluable as does an effective transition phase which utilizes relevant planning tools and narrows down the best education and employment choices.
To help transitioning military personnel, MilitaryMBA.net is offering free access to its alumni network, along with its directory of approved MBA schools, and MBA planning resources. The alumni network reaches over 17,000 military officers and NCOs from all branches of service with degrees obtained from leading MBA schools across the U.S. MBA and job candidates can join the network free by visiting cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ..
About Military MBA
Military MBA is an education and employment network for military officers and NCOs who are interested in obtaining and applying their MBA graduate degree for career advancement. More information is available by visiting cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT"id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. or by calling 435.649.2190.

Military MBA

Greg Eisenbarth, 435-649-2190

mailto:geisenbarth@militarymba.net