The start of 2022 feels a bit like déjà vu with rising COVID-19 case numbers, school closures and a pause on return-to-office plans, but we’re still hopeful about what’s to come this year. Here’s what some of our academic directors are looking forward to in 2022.
Sustainability driving innovation
Tichelle Sorensen, MBA program: I’ve been reading quite a bit about how sustainability goals are driving new mergers and acquisitions activity. I hope this shows that we’ll see companies focus more on real innovations in sustainability, and not just more storytelling and greenwashing.
Remote work expanding opportunities
Julie Hackett, Master of Finance and Taxation programs: I expect to see increasing demand for finance and tax practitioners. The pandemic has accelerated the normalization of remote work and as a result, students and alums seeking internships and full time employment will be able to expand their job search well beyond the Portland metro region.
People first
Julie Gibson, Master of Real Estate Development program: In 2022 I expect to see new, intentional efforts by commercial real estate firms to reimagine their workforces and work places. From hybrid workplaces to more diverse organizations, managers will be intensely focused on their biggest asset in 2022: their people.
Portland State University Graduate Business Blog 