After years of decrying specializations, the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business has changed its mind and decided to create formal concentrations within its full-time MBA program. Students can choose from an array of specializations, including entrepreneurship, consumer marketing, supply chain management and sustainability, starting this month. Once students have chosen, the MBA program committee will reexamine the choices offered and make changes as needed. According to Professor Robert Carraway, Darden is not backing away from its traditional focus on preparing general managers, but does not want recruiters to perceive Darden students as being incapable of serving as specialists as well. Basically, the change is a marketing/communication exercise to make the school’s students more appealing to employers and one that most Darden students would welcome, considering that it is an advantage that comes at no cost.
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