Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management has unveiled a brand new corporate partnership program designed to help MBA students deepen ties with potential employers, the school announced at recent advisory board meeting.
So far, 16 companies have agreed to join the invitation-only program. The initiative is expected to expand partner company participation in residency programs, case competitions, research, speaking events and executive education.
“We are proud to have built enduring relationships with some of the top employers around the world,” Owen Dean Eric Johnson said in a statement. “The impetus for creating the corporate partnership program stemmed from our desire to leverage and formalize those ties in ways that mutually benefit students, faculty, alumni and of course the companies themselves.”
Participating companies span a range of industries, from technology to healthcare, consulting to consumer packaged goods. Among the initial companies to sign on are Amazon, AT&T, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Nissan and Procter & Gamble.
“This is a model that has been successfully implemented at other top-tier business schools,” noted Assistant Dean of Corporate Partnerships Read McNamara in the press release announcing the new program. “We have taken what we think are the best elements of those programs and created a unique offering that provides stability for both employers and students who are exploring career options. At the same time, our partnership program facilitates a more open dialogue between the business world and academia.”
McNamara further explained the exact kind of companies Owen is trying to recruit for the partnership. The companies need to demonstrate a solid history of hiring Owen MBA graduates, have a high level of openings for MBAs across the board and a strong global impression, among other needed attributes.
