How Business Schools Are Adapting To A Challenging Placement Landscape – News18

Last Updated:March 18, 2025, 20:03 IST

Business schools must adapt to AI, evolving job roles, and economic shifts to ensure graduates stay competitive in a changing market.

By Dr Balakrishna Grandhi

The global job market is undergoing a seismic shift, and business schools worldwide are feeling the tremors. Hiring freezes, economic uncertainty, and the rapid evolution of demands across different industries have made placements more unpredictable than ever before. While there was a spike in MBA interest in the direct aftermath of the pandemic – as typically does happen during times of economic uncertainty – there has now been a slowdown as the business landscape evolves at a rapid pace. Traditional recruitment models no longer suffice—B-schools must now equip students with the skills and adaptability needed for an evolving professional landscape.

Understanding the Current Placement Landscape

For years, business schools relied on structured recruitment cycles and stable hiring trends. Today, even top-tier programs are seeing fluctuations. A Forbes report suggests that prestigious MBA programs, long considered a golden ticket to high-paying jobs, are seeing graduates struggle to land roles immediately after graduation. For instance, while only 10% of 2022 spring MBA graduates from Harvard were still looking for work 90 days after graduation, that number has increased to 23% as of January 2025.

At the same time, companies are looking for a different kind of graduate today. Employers now seek graduates with technical acumen, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. Professionals who can contribute from day one in dynamic environments are in high demand. Therefore, business schools must prepare students for continuously evolving roles. The Growing Influence of Generative AI

Generative AI (Gen AI) is transforming business functions, from marketing and finance to strategic decision-making. AI-driven tools can automate routine tasks, analyse vast datasets, and even draft business reports—reshaping job roles and employer expectations. Companies now prioritise candidates who can leverage AI for efficiency, ethical decision-making, and innovation.

Business schools must integrate AI literacy into their curricula, ensuring students understand not just its applications but also its ethical implications. Courses on AI-powered business strategies, digital transformation, and responsible AI usage are becoming essential. Schools should emphasise hands-on learning through AI-integrated case studies, simulations, and projects to prepare students for AI-driven workplaces.

Strategic Curriculum Reforms

To stay relevant, B-schools are re-engineering programs to align with industry disruptions. Many now offer specialised master’s programs in fintech, sustainability management, and AI-driven business models. According to QS forward-thinking business schools are embedding courses on data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation within their core curriculum. The idea is to ensure students graduate with skills that give them an immediate edge in the job market.

At the same time, there’s a growing recognition that technical skills alone are not enough. Soft skills—such as ethics, leadership in uncertain times, emotional intelligence, and cross-cultural communication—are now integral to business education. Many institutions are incorporating experiential learning, leadership training, and real-world case studies into their pedagogy to ensure that students are equipped with both analytical and interpersonal competencies.

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Enhanced Career Services and Industry Engagement

While curriculum innovation is crucial, business schools are also reinventing the way they connect students with industry opportunities. Career services departments, once seen as passive intermediaries, are becoming proactive career accelerators. Alumni networks are being leveraged more strategically, with successful graduates mentoring current students and offering insider insights into industry trends. The best career services teams are no longer just preparing students for job interviews; they are teaching them how to network, pivot careers, and identify opportunities in non-traditional sectors.

Industry collaborations have intensified, offering hands-on exposure through internships, live projects, and corporate immersion programs. Personalised career counselling has also taken centre stage, with schools offering facilities like resume reviews, interview prep sessions, industry and role information sessions, and one-on-one mentorship to help students craft their career trajectories in a way that aligns with evolving job market realities.

Adaptation to Global Trends

Business education is also evolving to address global economic shifts and geopolitical complexities. Courses on political risk analysis, international trade, and economic policy now complement traditional finance and strategy programs. Understanding global macroeconomics is as critical as mastering business fundamentals.

Additionally, entrepreneurship is gaining traction. With the gig economy and startup ecosystem thriving, business schools are supporting aspiring founders through incubators, venture capital competitions, and startup labs, encouraging students to create opportunities rather than just seek them.

Conclusion

The placement landscape is more complex than ever, driven by economic shifts, technological advancements, and evolving employer expectations. Business schools that embrace innovation—through

AI integration, curriculum reforms, and stronger industry engagement—will equip graduates not just for their first job but for resilient, long-term careers in an ever-changing world.

(The Author is the Dean of Global MBA & Master of Global Business at SP Jain School Of Global Management. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.)