Careers fair draws in employers

Delegates at a previous careers fair

The third annual Scottish MBA Careers Fair, a joint venture between the University of Strathclyde Business School and the University of Edinburgh Business School will take place at SBS on Friday February 5 2010: www.strath.ac.uk/mbafair.

Successfully branding the Fair as a niche and specifically targeted event, SBS has attracted around 300 MBAs and selected, experienced MScs from throughout Scotland and the North of England each year. The fair has also regularly attracted around 20 companies, including corporates such as Accenture, Procter and Gamble, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Amazon, Standard Life and RBS, along with more local companies such as Graduates for Business and the West of Scotland KTP Centre. Feedback has been consistently positive from both students and companies.

Irene Aitkenhead Taylor, SBS Career and Corporate Development Manager, who initiated the Fair in 2008, said: "This year we have managed to maintain numbers despite a challenging job market, although the lack of financial organisations is a telling reflection of the current environment. Uncertainty and mixed messages have characterised the job market for the last 18 months and many organisations continue to play a waiting game in terms of hiring, particularly at mid to senior management level.

"However, there are jobs out there and the careers support role is to prepare students to maximise their market knowledge, personal presentation and opportunities. Maintaining proactive corporate relationships is also key at such times and creating channels - through the Fair, projects, profiles, guest speakers and, not least, alumni - is a continuing goal."