Question

More than 50% of all MBAs leave their first employer within five years.  Although the change may mean career growth for these individuals, it represents a loss to the employers.  What are some of the probable reasons a MBA would leave his/her first employer?

Answer 1

Some of the probable reasons why MBAs leave his or her first employer:

(i) opportunity for career advancement. Many MBAs leave their first employer in order to advance their career. Within 5 years, most of the skills are learned and the learning curve has not much to offer in terms of new learnings and experiences. Changing job at this stage gives the MBAs an opportunity to learn new skills and experience new situations.

(ii) Second reason is to increase earnings. Different companies in different industries pay differently. MBAs seek to maximixe their earnings by selecting the optimal employer in the optimal industry.

(iii) Another reason is that the current job cease to provide challenges. When this happens, MBAs seek out for fresh challenges.

HR professional can do the following to prevent the loss of key talent such as a MBA in the workplace:

(i) provide a challenging work environment with ample scope for career advancemement, learning and personal growth. When MBAs will get sufficient opportunity to learn and grow in their current organization, they will not look elsewhere and this will reduce the attrition rate.

(ii) pay as per the industry standards.

(iii) use open and transparent communication when dealing with such high talent employees. Open and transparent communication will create less friction and the MBA employees will feel welcomed. This will reduce the attrition rate as well.