Graduate students at the country’s leading business schools prefer opportunity for advancement within an organization over financial incentives when evaluating career destinations, according to a Deloitte survey conducted at the fifth annual National MBA Human Capital Case Competition.
The Human Capital Case Competition is designed to engage MBA students in solving real-world human capital business issues. Deloitte surveyed participants to glean insight into their perceptions of the most pressing workforce issues and to better understand the goals, expectations and desires of the next generation of potential leaders.
A survey of 43 participating students representing the Millennial demographics and Generation X revealed 64% consider job advancement/promotion as the most important factor when deciding where to launch or continue their career. Compensation and benefits (44%) and “fun” work environment (33%) followed as the second and third most important considerations.
Students also value professional development initiatives to be critical in their first post-graduate job, according to the survey. Results show that direct project management is valued by nearly half of the respondents as the most important tool for professional development (48%). Nearly 40% of respondents revealed direct access to management as the second most important initiative for professional development, while 77% cited annual goal-setting.
Regarding career advancement and promotions, respondents agree 360 degree evaluations should hold the most weight (36%). Moreover, 47% agree the second most critical initiative for professional development is direct manager feedback and all respondents agree conducting company/industry standard exams is third most important.
