Office of Career Services Mission

2. Office of Career Services Mission Cultivate our career community of students, alumni, and employers by providing lifelong, strategic career management and professional development services resulting in mutually beneficial opportunities for employment in the evolving global marketplace.

3. Office of Career Services Objectives • To maximize the quantity and quality of Smith full-time MBA employment offers and acceptances. • To meet the needs of our employers / corporate partners. • To serve as a catalyst and support for students in finding their internship or permanent job and thereby giving them lifelong skills in career development. • To facilitate the achievement of MBA student career goals. • To improve the rankings and brand recognition of the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

4. Student Code of Ethics • In order to advance the good reputation of the Smith School and its constituents, all participants in the Career Partnership (MBA students and Office of Career Services representatives) agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism. • Professional appearance, communication, courtesy, respect, and confidentiality should be primary considerations in job search activities. Each phone contact, e-mail introduction, alumni approach, networking event appearance, interview, and employment negotiation should be conducted to realize positive, trust-based relationships and win-win outcomes whenever possible.

5. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: The Office of Career Services is a placement agency Reality: • Our office does not match students with jobs or internships or “place” you in a professional position at a company. We offer a variety of services, programs, resources, and events to assist students throughout the career development and job search process. • Services are designed to help prepare students to find and compete for many different types of meaningful employment opportunities. • Each student must take personal responsibility for the success of his or her job search. You and you alone are responsible for your strategic career management • Only you can do the work that is necessary, and only you can manage the time involved in the process.

6. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: I can wait to engage with the Office of Career Services until after winter break because on-campus recruiting for internships does not really begin until spring semester. Reality: • Without exception, students who are most successful in strategic career management resulting in multiple employment offers actively engage the Office of Career Services early and participate in the full suite of professional development programming that is offered. • Many companies conduct information sessions and corporate presentations in the fall and return in the spring for on campus internship recruiting. You will need to prepare your career documents and yourself early such that you are best positioned to engage with employers on campus and at career fairs in the fall.

7. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: The only way to get a job or internship is if the employers interview on campus Reality: • Approximately half of our students secure an internship or full time position with their employer of choice through the Office of Career Services while the remaining half find opportunities through personal and professional networking • You cannot solely depend on on campus recruiting to secure an internship or job, as the Smith School may not be a target school for some of your employers of choice. • Internships are limited and competitive to secure. You will need to network…network….network.

8. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: I don’t need an internship to secure a post-MBA job. Taking the summer off will not impact my full time job search. Reality: • An internship is paramount, especially for the career transitioner. • An internship will increase your chances of securing a full time position • An internship will allow you to build your resume in areas that are lacking • Over 90% of full-time MBA students have an internship • Employers expect that you will have completed an internship between your first and second year of business school • The only entry path to many MBA leadership development programs is via the internship process

9. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: A high GPA and outstanding GMAT score is all I need to be successful in my career search Reality: • While grades and GMAT scores are important to some organizations within specific industries like financial services and management consultant, organizations value other attributes like experience gained through internships/co-ops/centers of excellence, effective communication skills, and well-rounded backgrounds. • Solid academic credentials alone will not secure your future. Don’t rest on your academic laurels and test scores. • You will need to balance your academic and career pursuits simultaneously and equally.

10. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: The salary must be a six figure salary to justify my time, efforts and financial commitment to the MBA program. Reality: • While base salary is an important measure of the caliber of a position, the entire compensation package should be weighed. • You will need to consider other compensation and benefits like 401K plan and profit sharing, signing bonuses, annual bonuses, employee discounts, housing allowances, health insurance and flexible spending accounts, and cost associated with H1B sponsorship (if applicable). • You will need to consider the economic climate as well as the cost of living associated with where the position is located. • You may need to take a detour to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to secure that six or seven figure career.

11. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: If I have a technical background and earn the MBA, I can easily transition from my current path to a career on Wall Street or with McKinsey or Proctor & Gamble or Google. Reality: • The MBA and a technical background are not enough. You will need to overcome higher hurdles as a career transitioner. • The employment landscape is fierce. You will be competing with your peers at the Smith School and MBA candidates at other top business schools who have similar backgrounds. • You will need to gain experience by engaging in non-academic extracurricular activities like Mayer Fund, New Markets Growth Fund, various Centers of Excellence, or paid and unpaid part-time positions.

12. Common Myths about the Office of Career Services Myth: I am assured a position as a Portfolio Manager or Brand Manager or Senior Consultant post MBA. Reality: • Keep your dreams but be realistic about what level your skills and experience place you within an organization. • Understand the hierarchy • Assistant Brand Manager (likely post MBA)…Associate Brand Manager…Brand Manager • Consultant…Senior Consultant…Manager…Senior Manager…Partner. Where you land depends greatly on quality and quantity of pre-MBA experience. Senior Consultant is likely with solid work experience and transferable skills. Consultant is a possibility if you are transitioning with limited experience (e.g., 1-2 years in advertising transitioning to human capital consulting) • Research Analyst…Often several steps in between….Portfolio Manager. Very few graduates secure positions as Portfolio Managers at asset management firms following an MBA program. You won’t get to manage money with no experience. You will likely need to start as research analyst first and work your way up the career ladder.

13. How Can the Office of Career Services Assist You in Strategic Career Management? • Employer Development • Grow existing and establish new strategically important relationships with clients • Market students, curricular programs, research centers and faculty to external constituents • Career Advising • Advisor team comprised of industry specialists who support students through entire career search process from career exploration to offer negotiation and beyond. • MBA Programming • Develop career programming, including industry panel discussions, case interview training, mock interviews, networking events, workshops on job search topics including negotiations, internship search, and more.

14. How Can You Assist Yourself in Strategic Career Management? • Attend/Participate in OCS and Smith School Programming • OCS Workshops, Panel Discussions, and Networking Events • CEO @ Smith Series • MBA Career Quest • Engage with Your Career Advisor Early • Explore All Career Options • Don’t be narrowly focused. Learn about all options available before deciding that an opportunity is not for you. • Attend corporate presentation as part of your research • Get Engaged with Student Clubs, Centers of Excellence and the PTMBA Association • Have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C • Attend the Career Management Seminar

15. What is the Career Management Seminar? • Is a seven-week block of content that provides a dedicated time to focus on career. • Is not a part of the MBA curriculum • Is a commitment in addition to your academic and extracurricular pursuits • Is delivered by the Office of Career Services in conjunction with Smith School faculty • In combination with individual career advising and career programming, is the most effective and efficient mechanism for the Office of Career Services to lay the foundation for your strategic career management

16. Career Management Seminar Logistics • Dates • August 30 – October 18 (seven sessions) • Times and Locations: • Track 1 – Monday, 3:30 – 5:00 pm, VMH 1212 (Tyser Auditorium) • Track 2 - Monday, 8:00 – 9:30 am, VMH 1520 • Track 3 - Monday, 5:15 – 6:45 pm, VMH 1505 • During Session 1, you will (among other things): • Receive the final syllabus for the seminar • Receive list of MBA leadership development programs • Learn about career timeline and research tools • Receive career advice from Smith MBAs who have been through the program. • Sign-up for your initial career advising appointment / video-taped mock interviews

17. Dates to Put on Your Calendar Now • August 24 Asian MBA Pre-Conference Preparation (3:45pm) • August 25 Employer of the Day: Wall Street Journal • August 26-28 Asian MBA Conference (New York, New York) • August 27 HireSmith Training • August 30 Career Management Seminar (Session 1) • August 31 Pre-Conference / Career Fair Workshop • August 31 Employer of the Day: PriceWaterhouseCoopers • September 1 Employer of the Day: Ernst & Young • September 3 Employer Resume Books Go to Print

18. Final Words Be Engaged! Attend the Seminar! Own Your Strategic Career Management!