Eager B-schoolers Get Small Biz Brush-off

 

Business school graduate students are going after small business careers, but small businesses, it seems, arent's biting.

In 1980, the Harvard Business School Small Business Club sent out more than 1,000 query letters to small companies. But by March 1981, those 1,000 letters had landed only 21 summer jobs and 29 small business career positions for Harvard students.

Why aren't small companies snatching up eager M.B.A.'s? Jeff Dulude, president of the Small Business Club, says, "Small businesses are looking for people who can be of immediate value to their operations, and they don't see students or new graduates as having the kind of hands-on experience they need."

Small business owners often feel they can't afford to pay a new M.B.A. (salaries average about $30,000), Dulude adds. They're also reluctant to hire someone they're afraid will move on in a year or two. Between 40% and 60% of Harvard M.B.A.'s go on to a second job within two years. "Small businesses are unwilling to finance this learning process," Dulude says.