Online MBA programs could improve bankers' career prospects

Online MBA programs could improve bankers' career prospects

As the financial sector begins to recover, individuals who have completed classroom-based or online degree programs in business may see improved career prospects.

The New York Times reports that many banking institutions are increasing their on-campus recruiting efforts this year, which could be good news for 2010's business school graduates.

For example, administrators at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business report that the number of banks interviewing on its campus has increased by 20 percent over the past year. Furthermore, the number of offers made to Darden students has risen by 33 percent.

Degree candidates may be able to improve their chances of landing one of these highly coveted jobs by taking an internship at a high-profile company, such as Bank of America Merrill Lynch or Wells Fargo.

Experts expect that opportunities for these positions will increase as well. According to a recent survey from the MBA Career Services Council, approximately 39 percent of business schools believe that there will be more internships available to finance students this summer than last year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for banking professionals - especially those who have graduated from campus-based or online programs in business or finance - is expected to grow by 8 percent over the next eight years.