A correspondent challenged me to produce any reputable-looking on-line accounts alleging that older MBAs have difficulty getting hired in the corporate world. I pointed out that "older MBA" tends to mean "over 30" in these discussions, rather than "over 45", but in five minutes I found these three substantial references:
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Sarah Butcher, writing on 23 February 2010.
Age discrimination laws mean banks will never admit to turning their noses up at fresh MBAs aged 33+, but this is the reality. Hiring a recent MBA aged 40+ is totally unheard of. "As a general rule, banks hire MBAs into their associate programmes when they are in their high 20s and low 30s," says Julian Birkinshaw, deputy dean at the London Business School.
"There isn't an age at which it's too old to do an MBA, but there is a point at which big name recruiters will stop being very interested in you," Birkinshaw adds. "They will never say this, but the reality is that organizations like banks are looking for people who will give them the best years of their lives and who have the potential to become managing directors before the age of 40.""How old is too old for an MBA?" http://news.efinancialcareers.com/2770/how-old-is-too-old-for-an-mba/ (accessed 20120529)
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Allan Hoffman, apparently writing in 2004 (undated):
Mike Sweeny, managing director/project staffing for T. Williams Consulting, a strategic staffing consulting firm based in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, says he wouldn't hesitate in hiring someone over 50. But some companies, he notes, may see things differently, particularly when it comes to dot coms with a young staff. "If the place is filled with mohawks and tattoos, and the CEO is 34 years old," he says, "chances are they're not going to hire someone 55 or older."
"Age Discrimination: A Problem in IT Hiring?" http://www.jobfairy.com/articles01/AgeDiscriminationAProblem.html (accessed 20120529)
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Arthur Delaney, writing on 15 May, 2012:
The equation changes when you are over 50. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get a corporate job at that age. Companies like hiring younger people, who they feel can often do the same work at a lower price. Yes, I know, the older person has more wisdom and experience, but ask yourself, when was the last time you hired someone over 50?
With rare (although not impossible) opportunities in the corporate world, the experienced person is forced to look elsewhere, and will quickly discover that he can be much happier, fulfilled, and even bankable by working for himself. This is the time to consult, advise, mentor, and teach. This is also the time to try to start that new company idea that you have always had in the back of your mind."Age Discrimination's Impact Disputed In Congressional Hearing On Unemployment." http: //www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/15/age-discrimination-unemployment_n_1518591.html (accessed 20120529)
There is actually a great deal of this kind on line. Rather than wallowing in the maudlin, consider this advice (excerpted) about how to approach the issue productively from Deborah Knox of Insight Admissions:
- First and foremost, make sure you're very competitive. …
- If you're looking to switch careers, do your research and find out if making the move to your new career of choice is likely. …
- Prepare the best application possible, …
- Consider applying to at least a few schools that have a higher average age, assuming you'd be happy to attend their program. …
- Don't completely reject the part-time and EMBA options, especially if you need the skills more than the brand and the network. …
"Am I Too Old To Get An MBA?" http://poetsandquants.com/2011/11/30/am-i-too-old-to-get-an-mba/5/ (accessed 29 May, 2012). Unfortunately, Knox's full article doesn't seem to have a full-view-in-one-page option.
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