So far, we’ve talked about understanding the purpose of the MBA, picking the right format, understanding and using rankings appropriately, how to make a good impression during the recruiting process and how to develop a high quality application that differentiates you from others with similar grades and test scores. We’ve also discussed how to effectively negotiate for scholarships, and how to maximize the experience once you are admitted to the program of your choice. Last week, we covered an important tip for what NOT to do: cheat in any way, shape or form.
In Chapter 9, we discuss the importance of going beyond career services and owning your job search. The chapter opens with a story of a student who found herself unemployed at graduation, and believing the career services team was responsible for her unfortunate predicament. While she ultimately found a job by leveraging her alumni network (more on this in the last chapter), she graduated without understanding the critical skill of how to conduct a successful job search. Yes, students can (and should) utilize all services provided by the program and its alumni network, but—at the end of the day—they need to be driving the search, not sitting in the back seat waiting for someone to find a job for them.
Next week, we’ll cover the final lesson (don’t cry): maximizing the value of your alumni network.
Until then, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter, which will release updates as we near the publication date!
