What Are Diversity Conferences? Hosted early in the fall semester by a select group of affinity driven professional organizations, Diversity Conferences are multi-day MBA level recruiting events where Fortune 500 employers flock to connect with, interview, and hire a broad range of MBA talent.
Some conferences, such as National Black MBA and MBA Veterans will have hundreds of employers and thousands of students in attendance, all of which will be actively recruiting for internship and full-time roles across a wide range of functions, industries, and geographies.
What are the Odds of Securing an Internship through a Diversity Conference? Recruiting success at a Diversity Conference ultimately depends on the rigor of your preparation efforts. Candidates who attend Diversity Conference training sessions offered by the CMC, and who engage early in actively exploring and managing their careers, are most likely to find success.
In Fall of 2021, 100% of First Year MBAs who attended a diversity conference in-person received internship offers, each receiving 1-3 offers each.
While these statistics are compelling, it is critical to understand that each one of these students poured countless hours into their preparation efforts, many beginning their journeys in the summer months — just as you are now. This level of success is hard earned.
The National Diversity Conferences are hosted by MBA Diversity organizations for business professionals to convene for networking, leadership development, and career opportunities. There are case competitions and career fairs, as well as classes associated with each conference.
These conferences are open to all Jenkins Full-Time and Working Professional MBAs.
Attending these conferences is best for –
- Full-time employment candidates graduating in December 2022, May 2023, and August 2023
- Internship employment candidates for Summer 2023
Some organizers are offering virtual and in-person formats.
There are differences in employers, attendee profiles, and conference missions. Choose conferences that align with your needs. Most MBAs attend National Black and/or the MBA Veterans Conference and Career Expo.
The Jenkins MBA office offers a stipend for up to, but no more than, $250 for the registration fee for one conference.
NOTE: It is very important to create a profile on the targeted national conference website as early as possible. These profiles are how you will be seen and noticed by employers, and will secure you interviews and appointments PRIOR to showing up at the conference, so you can arrive with a schedule and meetings with employers already in place.
Major Conferences
| Conference | Location | Key Dates |
| Poole College of Management (PCOM) Supply Chain Networking Event and Career Fair | McKimmon Center | Supply Chain Networking: Sept 29, 5:30pm-8:00pm |
| Career Fair: September 30, 10:00am – 3:00pm | ||
| National Black MBA Conference and Career Expo | Atlanta, GA | In-Person Dates: |
| Conference: Sept 27 – Oct. 1, 2022 | ||
| Career Expo: September 29 & 30 | ||
| Prospanica Conference and Career Expo | New Orleans, LA | November 2 – 4, 2022 |
| MBA Veterans Conference and Career Expo | Atlanta, GA | October 13-14, 2022 Virtual Career Fair: October 21, 2022
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| Reaching Out MBA Conference | Washington, DC | October 6 – 8, 2022 |