8/15/2013

1

LEVERAGING YOUR

MBA FOR CAREER

SUCCESS

JENNIFER L. JOHNSON

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES

CAREER ACTION PLAN

1. Self-Assessment

2. Establish Goals

3. Create Vision Statement

4. Set Goals – Turn your vision into reality!

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SELF-ASSESSMENT

• Why did you decide to pursue MBA?

• Take inventory

• Talents/strengths

• Current competencies, skills, knowledge,

experience

• What am I “known for” professionally - what do

colleagues, clients, supervisors, etc. think of me?

• Core values

• Key areas of interest

ESTABLISH CAREER GOALS

• What positions do you aspire to hold – do you want

to advance or change careers?

• Identify target industries, geographic locations and

companies

• What is your target salary range and level of

benefits you desire?

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CREATE A CAREER

VISION STATEMENT

• Consider education and career experience to-date

• Reflect your needs, interests and life goals

• Changes your mindset from “What can I do with an

MBA?” to “What do I want to do with my MBA?”

EXAMPLE: Within one year of completing the MBA

program, I will leverage my five years experience in

logistics to a management level position with a

large manufacturing company in the Midwest.

TURNING YOUR CAREER

VISION INTO REALITY

• Your personality

• Your strengths &

weaknesses

• Your values

• Work environment

• Location

• Industry

• Job functions

• Career growth

• Salary requirements

• Stability of employer & industry

• Flexibility of employer

• Training & professional

development

• Hours worked per week

• Work schedule

When Researching Career Opportunities, Consider…

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TURNING YOUR CAREER

VISION INTO REALITY

Build the Skills that Employers Desire…• View academic projects as more than just a grade

• Capitalize on opportunities to demonstrate leadership inside the

classroom and outside

• Save samples of your accomplishments to include in a

professional portfolio

• Understand how your experiences and skills will benefit your

company/future employers (what makes you different from other

MBAs?)

• Plan how you will communicate and/or demonstrate these skills

during the interview process

TURNING YOUR CAREER

VISION INTO REALITY

Refine Your Soft Skills

• Public speaking, listening skills, ability to

engage others and assertiveness are critical to

your success as a business leader

• Strategic thinking, communication, and

leadership skills = top soft skills that employers

value but are often under-represented

• Use this time to step outside of your comfort

zone to enhance any areas of weakness

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TURNING YOUR CAREER

VISION INTO REALITY

Gain Experience!

• If you are not working in your chosen field plan

to complete at least one MBA level internship in

a role related to your career interest

� Be proactive – register with Professional

Practice Department and Career Services

• Seek out projects or new experiences in current

position

• Don’t risk being over-educated but under-

experienced!

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!

• Establish meaningful connections with faculty & university personnel

• Attend guest speakers, career workshops/seminars, career fairs

• Develop relationships with other students

• BE ACTIVE! Join student organization, attend WCBA events

• Connect with YSU alumni – join Alumni Association

• Complete an internship

• Attend professional conferences

• Think strategically about social networking (i.e. LinkedIN)

• Keep in contact with your network on a regular basis

TURNING YOUR CAREER

VISION INTO REALITY

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Prepare and Job Search Early!

• Begin early - the first semester of your second year

• Perfect your resume, cover letter, and references

• Practice interview skills with a professional

• Utilize a diverse array of job search strategies

• Be PROACTIVE

• Take advantage of university resources!

TURNING YOUR CAREER

VISION INTO REALITY

CREATE AN ACTION PLAN

• S.M.A.R.T. goals that support your career goals and

vision statement

• Consider short-term and long-term goals that will …

• set the platform for advancement/career

opportunities

• expand your professional network

• help you develop the knowledge, skills and

experience needed for future career goals

• help you in your job search

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EXAMPLES

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Learn more about advancement opportunities in my company

• Discuss with my supervisor

• During next performance review

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Explore companies that utilize Enterprise Resource Planning certificate

• Web research• Schedule information

interview SAP specialist

• Fall 2013

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Become more versed in financial/budget management

• Concentrate electives in finance/accounting

• Ongoing

EXAMPLES

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Identify major employers in targetgeographic area

• Utilize Career Insider and other resources to build top 20 list

• Educate yourself on employers’ hiring practices

• Summer 2014

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Apply course work to current position

• Use current work project for class assignment

• Spring 2014

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Identify skills, qualifications and experiences employers seek for Brand Managers

• Research current job openings

• Determine how you will obtain the requirements you are lacking

• Fall 2013

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EXAMPLES

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Identify skills, qualifications and experiences employers seek for Brand Managers

• Research current job openings

• Determine how you will obtain the requirements you are lacking

• Fall 2013

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Improve public speaking skills

• Join local Toastmasters chapter

• Fall 2014

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Complete MBA level internship

• Register with WCBA professional practice

• Spring/Summer 2014

EXAMPLES

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Begin job searchbefore program completion

• Register with Career Services/PenguinLINK

• Attend YSU Career Fair

• Fall 2014

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Expand professional network in healthcare management

• Join professional association

• Attend 3 events per year• Follow healthcare

management groups on LinkedIN

• Spring 2014

GOAL ACTION TIMING

Update resume to reflect MBA competencies/ experiences

• Schedule appointment with Office of Career Services

• Fall 2014

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RESOURCES

CareerInsider by Vault.com

• Actionable, relevant and comprehensive career

information and management tools in 7 key content areas:

1. Industries/Professions

2. Employer research (insider intelligence)

3. Full-text Career e-books

4. Career advice articles

5. Internships/job postings

6. News and Commentary

7. Community Discussions

• Available starting Fall 2013 through PenguinLINK

RESOURCES

PenguinLINK

• Hundreds of job postings

• 24/7 access

• Post resume

• Notification of on-campus recruitment opportunities

and career events

• Open to alumni

• Access from Career Services Website

� COMING SOON: One-click access from MyYSU portal

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RESOURCES

YSU Office of Career Services

• Individualized career counseling

• Career planning

• Resume/Cover Letter Review

• Job Search

• Mock Interviews

• All Majors Career Fair

• On-Campus Recruiting and Networking Events

By Appointment or Walk-in Hours

330.941.3515

careerservices@ysu.edu

http://web.ysu.edu/careerservices

ALL MAJORS CAREER FAIR:

Tuesday, October 8

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Kilcawley Center - Chestnut Room

• Dress

professionally

• Bring copies of

your resume

• Login to

PenguinLINK for a

complete list

of participating

employers!

Open to current YSU students and alumni

Pre-registration encouraged (not required)

Questions?

Call Career Services at 330-941-3515

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SHOW, NOT JUST TELL!

Resumes from applicants for an operations position in a toy

company:

1. Managed eight reindeer.

2. Managed eight reindeer to distribute toys around the

globe.

3. Increased 2012 global gift giving distribution by 60% by

successfully hiring, training, and managing eight reindeer

to distribute toys around the globe.

Which applicant would you interview?

JONES HALL ROOM 1034

330.941.3515

careerservices@ysu.edu

http://web.ysu.edu/careerservices