Economy brightens job picture for professional school graduates

For former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Chris Burke, the end of the Cold War impressed upon him the very real possibility that a downsizing U.S. military could limit his career advancement opportunities. Trained as a nuclear engineer, Burke saw reductions in the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet as a risk he wanted to avoid.

In 1993, Burke gained admission to the University of Virginia (USA) law school. The idea of combining engineering expertise with a legal education convinced Burke, a 1985 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, that he might have a bright future in patent law. After enrolling in law school, however, he won admission to UVA's business school and became a joint JD-MBA candidate.

As graduation got closer during the spring of 1997, Burke had six job offers -- mostly in business and at least one legal opportunity. Having developed a keener interest in business during graduate school, he accepted a position as a management consultant with the A.T. Kearney Company. His job requires him to use both his engineering and business skills.

"It was definitely a buyer's market, so to speak, in terms of there being opportunities in the job market," Burke says of the employment offers he entertained while at UVA.

He believes that graduating into a prosperous economy with degrees from professional schools increased his employment options.

"It so happens that my timing was pretty good. I graduated at a good time," Burke says.

Burke is one of several thousand African Americans who, in recent years, have graduated from U.S. professional schools to face a wide array of job and career options. Indeed, prospects for all students graduating from professional schools -- law, business, pharmacy, medical, dental, and others are undoubtedly strong due to a booming national economy.

Deans and career counselors at professional schools with significant minority student populations generally report that minority graduates are faring well in securing postgraduate training and jobs. They cite a booming economy as a factor, but also point out that demand for young professionals from underrepresented communities is strong.