CONSULTING CANDIDATES EXPECT HIGH COMPENSATION

MBA graduates considering consulting careers are thinking big. MBA Recruiting Trends, 1999 Edition, a recent study conducted by the Kennedy Information Research Group, found that MBA candidates at 30 top business schools expected an average starting total compensation package of $139,000, up 9.4% from the previous year. At the high end, students from one prestigious university expected to make $165,000 their first year.

Specifically, candidates expected an average starting salary of $96,000 with a signing bonus of $19,000 and tuition reimbursement totaling $24,000. Generally, older candidates expected higher compensation. Men anticipated making 4.4% more than women, up--surprisingly--from the 2.4% gap seen in 1998.

Candidates' high salary expectations may make it more difficult for firms with consulting practices to hire talent from the best schools. It may be especially difficult for smaller firms to compete on a salary basis with larger organizations.

The three-volume study is available for $5,000 from Kennedy Information Research Group. For more information, call (800) 531-0007 or (603) 585-3101. *

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