Berkeley Haas School of Business

Berkeley Haas School of Business, part of the University of California, has a reputation that reaches far beyond the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. Founded in 1898, it’s the second-oldest business school in the United States. And it holds the prestigious AACSB accreditation, a badge of excellence held by top international business schools.

The school’s Full-time MBA program is ranked #14 in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2026. Abby Scott, Assistant Dean of MBA Career Management and Corporate Partnerships at Haas School of Business, explains how Haas offers unique career opportunities for ambitious students. 

Exceptional MBA Berkeley Haas Career Outcomes

The Berkeley Haas MBA opens doors to various sectors. A high level of early-stage startup and tech industry exposure helps set Berkeley Haas MBA career outcomes apart from other schools.

“We’re actually known for our diversity of outcomes,” says Abby. (00:27)

Abby highlights two main career outcomes for students: “Consulting and technology tend to be the top two industries,” she says. (05:27) However, there are also plenty of opportunities in other fields. Financial services, including investment banks and venture capital firms, fintech, and healthcare, are all popular industries for Haas students. According to Abby, many move into the ever-expanding clean energy space, including climate tech and electric mobility. 

“We cover the gamut,” says Abby. “Ultimately, students are in charge of their career search. They are driving the process,” she qualifies. (06:20) She urges students to enter the program with a strong sense of what they want to do.

Abby says the school receives plenty of feedback from the companies that hire their graduates. They hear about how they are curious problem solvers. Highly analytical, yet also humble and flexible. For Abby, it’s a testament to the school’s culture and the type of professional it attracts.

Rigorous Support From the Career Management Group

Students studying for a Berkeley Haas MBA benefit from the school’s Career Management Group. More than 30 experts are on hand to support students throughout their career journey.

Students are given a full day of career orientation before they begin their MBA at Berkeley Haas. They then meet for a week of career essentials. Here, they refine their resume and start to hone in on the transferable skills that are essential for their chosen career path.

“In essence, we’re teaching new MBA students how to conduct a job search at a leadership level,” says Abby. (04:24) “A big part of it is networking. How to network. What are the systems in place? What does that look like in the U.S.?” she explains. (04:35)

Students at Haas are also matched with a career coach. This mentor will serve as a guide for the student throughout the MBA program. Berkeley Haas offers an open scheduling model in this regard. This means that, as a student, you’re free to choose the coach that works best for you. 

Supporting Employment Success in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley

Located in the heart of the Bay Area, the Haas campus puts students in the center of a hub of innovation and invention. There are over 2,000 tech companies nearby, plus leaders in the finance and consulting industries, to name a few.

“Naturally, they’re coming to Berkeley Haas to recruit talent,” says Abby. “In fact, we tend to have one of the largest shares of schools represented in these local offices, whether it’s San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Los Angeles.” (07:27)

The region also boasts a rich cultural scene. And while some international students return to their home countries post-graduation, many launch a lucrative career in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Stock Options, Genuine Impact, and Entrepreneurship

The latest Berkeley Haas MBA Employment Report shines a light on the latest post-graduation employment trends. One of the biggest trends is companies offering stock options to new employees. This helps recent graduates feel more invested in their new companies.

“We have a lot of students who get stock. Either stock grants or stock options as part of their compensation package,” says Abby. (13:03) “It could be anywhere between 35 to 45 percent of our students… That tends to be really significant in thinking about ROI over the long run.” (13:18)

The report shows that ethical career paths are increasingly important. “Many of our graduates find roles where they can have a positive impact on the world,” explains Abby. (13:50) This could be in NGOs, environmental companies, climate startups, or healthcare organizations. 

Entrepreneurship is a big part of the Berkeley Haas ecosystem, as Abby says, “whether you’re starting your own company as an entrepreneur or you’re wanting to join a startup to get that experience.” (14:50) She estimates around 15 to 20 percent of Haas students take an entrepreneurial path. 

An Interconnected Network of Support and Inspiration at Berkeley Haas

Berkeley Haas has a strong global alumni network. Haas graduates can be found across all 50 U.S. states and in 81 countries worldwide. This network thrives across various online channels and in-person events. For Abby, alumni are just one part of a network of support and inspiration at Berkeley Haas.

“It’s been really fun to hear the stories of our second-year students who have just returned from their summer internships,” says Abby. (11:27) “I have to tell you, alumni are the heart of all of these stories,” she says, before pointing out that it’s typically an alum who posts roles for summer internships. (11:50)     

“We have a big initiative that we push out every spring called ‘Hire Haas’”, she explains. “We call on our alumni community to find roles within their companies to share with us. And that always generates hundreds of jobs.” (11:59)

There’s also a support structure between the first and second-year students. In the fall, following their summer internships, second-year MBA students share their stories with new students at what the school calls ‘Industry Primers.’ These give new students an insight into working life at leading Bay Area companies.

The Ultimate Leadership Lab

The Berkeley Haas MBA program offers incredible career opportunities for its students. Not only does the school open doors, but it also supports its students to find their purpose and carve out their own career path.

“An MBA is all about leadership,” says Abby. “It’s a leadership lab… that’s the reason to come and get an MBA.” (21:09) The Berkeley Haas MBA is a proving ground for ambitious future leaders.

“Ultimately, we’re teaching students to think long term. To think about where they want to be… not just that first job out of school, but where they want to be in 10 years, in 20 years…” (21:27)

It’s this kind of long-term thinking that truly sets the Haas School of Business apart.

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