Willamette University - Atkinson Graduate School of Management

Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management certainly has a “reputation as a leader [throughout] the northwest.” Indeed, the school is known for producing top-notch, innovative graduates. It also places a focus and priority on young professionals through its Early Career & Career Change MBA program, which prepares students for their first professional position, career change, and future career success. Additionally, Willamette emphasizes “experiential,” “hands-on” and “cultural learning,” while providing “small classes” and a “comprehensive curriculum.”

While MBA candidates can explore a wide variety of topics and interests, students rush to highlight Willamette’s “exceptional entrepreneurship classes” and the school’s “focus [on] sustainable development.” Of course, Willamette’s “greatest strength” might be its unique angel investing course. The class pairs “each student . . . with an Angel Investor and [grants] access to a class fund of $1M. They invest alongside the Angels, evaluate opportunities and try to make money on the companies they decide to fund.” As if that wasn’t enticing enough, there’s “also a new venture class where students create new products and then present their ideas to investors.” Students report that “each year, the investors actually invest in the best ideas.”

Willamette MBAs also have glowing remarks for their professors. They love that “the majority . . . have years of outside experience.” Indeed, they’re not “just academics who understand the concepts in theory but have never applied them in real life situations.” Importantly, instructors are “also approachable and ready to help and offer advice.” Praise extends to the administration as well. As one satisfied first-year sums up, “The school administration is amazing; every single person makes you feel at home and is always available to help you with any situation you encounter. I’ve only been here nine months, but it’s been a phenomenal experience in terms of learning and growing my skill set.”

Job prospects for Atkinson graduates are very encouraging. This is certainly due in large part to the industrious administration which provides “amazing networking opportunities.” Credit should also be given to Willamette’s beloved career development center. After all, the center works diligently to “make sure all students have jobs over the summer break and by the time they graduate.” More specifically, it runs a robust mentorship program, pairing students with business professionals whose expertise matches their development goals. The center also hosts numerous personalized, career-focused events like employer spotlights which give students the opportunity to interact with companies and corporate partners in small groups and/or one-on-one. And, of course, these MBAs are also privy to mock interviews, résumé workshops, and programs of that ilk.

Companies that tend to recruit and hire Willamette MBAs include Honda, Intel, Moss Adams, Fisher Investments, and Adobe Systems.

Willamette draws its MBAs from quite a diverse pool. In fact, “international students make up a large percentage of our class.” Most students view this as an incredible asset. As one first-year explains, “It really brings a lot of interesting aspects into class discussions when students have such diverse experience and backgrounds!” No matter where they come from, most individuals prove to be “energetic,” “creative,” “bright” and “professional.” Even better, they all seem to embrace the “prevailing notion is that if we help one another learn, we will all learn more down the road.”

Outside of the classroom there is “always something to do.” A first-year excitedly shares, “We have a weekly social get together at different local pubs where we get to relax, visit, and spend time not doing schoolwork!” Additionally, “there are also several student associations that are very active so on nearly any given week at least one event is going on that is open to the students to enjoy.” Best of all, these activities and social options help to foster a “close-knit community” at Atkinson.