Looking to Join a Startup? Get an MBA In a new survey, MBA graduates are a hot commodity for startups looking to recruit talent.

By Andrea Huspeni

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As the talent wars wage on and the likelihood of poaching a C-level executive from Google are close to zero, founders are turning to recent MBA grads for hiring needs.

Fifty-seven percent of business schools claim startups -- companies less than a year old -- are ramping up their full-time recruiting efforts for MBA grads, according to the MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance's Spring 2013 Recruiting Trends survey. By contrast, only 41 percent of larger companies -- those with 500 or more employees -- are doing so, notes the survey that polled administrators from 84 MBA programs (see graph below).

"A growing number of MBA students are focusing on entrepreneurship, either by starting their own business or helping other students start theirs. Reports from large and small MBA programs confirm the increased student interest in a range of entrepreneurial endeavors," Jack Oakes, assistant dean for career development at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, said in a statement.

Recruiting increased in all industries with more than 40 percent of colleges seeing a spike in technology, petroleum and energy, consulting and consumer products.

For more stories on hiring and college students check out:

How to Hire the Best Recent Graduate for Your Business

America's Bright Spots: The Top 10 Cities for Hiring

The Rise of Entrepreneurship on College Campuses

Looking to join a startup? Get an MBA

Andrea Huspeni

Founder of This Dog's Life

Andrea Huspeni is the former special projects director at Entrepreneur.com and the founder of This Dog's Life.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Business Process

The Best Times, Days and Months To Post on YouTube (2023)

When is the best time to post YouTube videos to maximize their effect? Discover the best time to post on YouTube in this detailed guide.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.

Business Culture

What Every Business Leader Can Learn From Dutch Bros' People-First Culture

The coffee chain is turning employees into owners of the customer experience.