MBAs, Media & the Middle East.

Finance Students Keep Their Job Hopes Alive – NYTimes.com

The New York Times (Finance Students Keep Their Job Hopes Alive) checks in on how the schools are coping with financial uncertainty. “Financial companies shed 150,000 jobs last year and more than 100,000 so far this year…

Too many bankers?

Esther Duflo, Professor of Economics at MIT asks if the world has too many bankers?. She’s inclined to think so but is reassuringly optimistic about talent finding opportunities in other industries although she is vague on what the relative compensation levels might be. I think finance will evolve, Glenn Hubbard explains why the long-term trends are in the industry’s favor…

FT’s John Gapper on the fatal banker’s fall.

Many of those jobs – and much of the bonus pool that supported them – are at risk. I do not think investment banking will regain its hegemony for a very long time, if ever. – John Gapper (Financial Times)

WSJ on B-Schools’ responses to Financial Metdown.

The WSJ reports that students interest in finance-related jobs are down, boutique and mid-sized firms are being encouraged to step up recruitment and that alumni are tapping into the B-School networks to navigate the uncertain job market.

Where will all the MBAs go?

This is obviously pretty far down the list of priorities amidst the current market turmoil but is certainly of interest to me.

Bear Sterns, Lehman and Merrill represent three prime top-tier MBA hirers and with noted commentators doubting the future of the stand-alone Investment Bank model, I wonder what type or organization will step in to fill the recruitment gap. (I am choosing to be optimistic assuming the void will be filled).