An MBA is an investment for your future, in fact an investment for your whole career. You are investing a substantial amount of time and money in doing an MBA, not to mention the substantial opportunity costs of not working while studying full time.
But are you making the best use of it? Here are a few things that you could consider doing, which will add substantial value to your MBA and future career.
1. Tap your MBA network - This is easier said than done but is probably the most important thing you should consider doing now:
4. Work with your career management team - The job of the career management team is to ensure that you get a job at the end of your MBA. But your career is also your responsibility. If you don't take the initiative to regularly catch up with the career management team, then don't expect the 'sky' at the end of your MBA. Meet with them regularly, build your CV and interviewing skills and tap potential contacts in your industry. They are your partners in getting you that next opportunity.
5. Attend business networking events - Most business schools conduct regular business / breakfast networking events in association with industry professionals to discuss an important topic / issue. This is a great networking opportunity for you to meet with industry professionals who have an association with your school. Another option is to attend external business networking events. These however may be more expensive - but if it is where your target industry group meets, then you need to be there as well regardless of the cost.
6. Go for an exchange program - Most business schools in Australia provide exchange programs with business schools in other countries. While doing an exchange might be slightly expensive (depending on where you plan to do one), the benefits far outweigh the costs. An exchange program is an opportunity to expand your professional network, develop contacts in a new country, learn a new language and an opportunity to show in your CV that you have international experience. Australian employers consider such experience favourably and may differentiate you from other potential candidates.
If you haven't started already, then now is the best time. Maximise the return on your MBA by doing each of the above. Remember, your career is your responsibility - the earlier you act, the quicker the results. All the best.
But are you making the best use of it? Here are a few things that you could consider doing, which will add substantial value to your MBA and future career.
1. Tap your MBA network - This is easier said than done but is probably the most important thing you should consider doing now:
- The first network group is your syndicate or study group. Get to know them well and try and build strong relationships. This will be the closest group in your MBA and maybe your whole working career. A close knit group is useful not only during an MBA but also after it in your professional business career. These are often the best people to bounce business ideas off or solve complex business issues that you may need a hand on.
- The second network group you should consider is all other MBA candidates in your batch. While it may not make sense to network with each of them, identify those in your industry (or potential industry) and build relationships with them. Who knows, you may be working for one of them!
- The third group is your professors. Remember your professors are involved in consulting regularly to the business and industry. They are generally well connected. Understand your area of interest and build relationships with relevant faculty in that area.
- The final group is your MBA alumni. Does your school have an alumni database? If so, get into it as soon as possible. If not, then chat with your career management team, and they will be happy to provide you a list. Another venue to find alumni is LinkedIn. Identify alumni in your industry (or potential industry) and catch up with them for a coffee. Remember, these are busy people and so give them enough notice. Keep doing this and who knows, you will land up a job before you finish your MBA.
2. Assist your professors with their research - Professors are constantly conducting research and they need assistance with their projects. Assistance could be in the form of research, analysis, writing and / or interviewing. There are a few benefits of doing this:
- It gives you an opportunity to develop your research, analysis, writing and interviewing skills. These are the most important skills required for your future business career, and this is probably the best way to get some direct experience in developing these skill areas.
- It will allow you to tap into some of their university, professional and industry networks.
- It adds value to your CV - shows that you have gained some hands on experience while doing your MBA.
3. Do an internship or corporate research project - Does your MBA provide internship opportunities? If so, then consider applying for these. Internship opportunities are competitive and generally require a formal application and interview process. An internship requires you to complete a short often complex project for your employer. This is probably the best opportunity for you to apply your MBA learning in a real business environment. Most often than not, employers offer full time roles to interns. So make the best use of such an opportunity.
4. Work with your career management team - The job of the career management team is to ensure that you get a job at the end of your MBA. But your career is also your responsibility. If you don't take the initiative to regularly catch up with the career management team, then don't expect the 'sky' at the end of your MBA. Meet with them regularly, build your CV and interviewing skills and tap potential contacts in your industry. They are your partners in getting you that next opportunity.
5. Attend business networking events - Most business schools conduct regular business / breakfast networking events in association with industry professionals to discuss an important topic / issue. This is a great networking opportunity for you to meet with industry professionals who have an association with your school. Another option is to attend external business networking events. These however may be more expensive - but if it is where your target industry group meets, then you need to be there as well regardless of the cost.
6. Go for an exchange program - Most business schools in Australia provide exchange programs with business schools in other countries. While doing an exchange might be slightly expensive (depending on where you plan to do one), the benefits far outweigh the costs. An exchange program is an opportunity to expand your professional network, develop contacts in a new country, learn a new language and an opportunity to show in your CV that you have international experience. Australian employers consider such experience favourably and may differentiate you from other potential candidates.
If you haven't started already, then now is the best time. Maximise the return on your MBA by doing each of the above. Remember, your career is your responsibility - the earlier you act, the quicker the results. All the best.
2 comments:
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A Literature Review is a research study of the initial and main scholarship on a specific subject. It does not study the subject itself, simply the research that has been carried out on that particular topic.
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