DOL’s
resulting MBA Fellows Program, which began in February 2003, includes
(1) goals for the year of recruiting 15 to 20 MBA graduates and other
individuals with comparable business experience, (2) strategies to
facilitate recruiting these individuals, and (3) a new 2-year program
designed to provide these new hires with experiences in a broad
variety of departmental programs. Strategies for hiring these
individuals include establishing relationships with universities and
professional organizations that have strong business programs to
advertise DOL’s hiring program, and using existing flexibilities, such
as recruitment bonuses and student loan repayments, to improve the
competitiveness of the department’s employment offers. The new Fellows
Program includes rotation assignments throughout DOL, development of
individualized plans to enhance leadership and business experiences,
and matching program participants with mentors. In July 2003, DOL
hired a second class of 17 MBA Fellows to join the 13 hired in
February.