FMCG sector most preferred by management graduates

The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector has once again emerged as the industry of choice for this year's management graduates, with 44 per cent of students graduating in 2010 voting it as their most preferred industry in the latest Nielsen Campus Track–B School Survey.

FMCG also tops the 'industry of future' list. Other industries preferred are management consulting, foreign banks, entertainment and media, and software  and infotech services.

Moreover, student's perceptions of  FMCG companies have changed over the years inching closer and closer to the traditional leaders. While certain key consultant companies still dominate campus recruitments, as an industry, most FMCG players have gained in perception vs. last year. The other industry that has shown a significant movement in preference is entertainment and media industry.

In its 10th year, the Nielsen Campus Track B-School Survey gauged students' perceptions of companies and their considerations as they evaluate prospective employers. 1,362 soon-to-be graduates from the top 40 management institutes were interviewed.

According to the Nielsen survey, HUL and P&G are considered ''dream companies'' for students with 64.2 per cent and 60.9 per cent of students considering to apply to these companies respectively. In line with last year's survey, Ratan Tata remains the role model for management students due to graduate in 2010.

''The security that FMCG sector provides forms a major attraction for the graduating batch. However, the affects of economic downturn can still be seen as three out of every four students feels that recession is going to affect their final placements,'' said Shaveta Bhardwaj, associate director client solutions, The Nielsen Company.