The B-School Career Search Myth
If you’re reading this blog, then there’s a very good chance you’re probably going to b-school looking for a better (or different job) than you currently have. And there’s also a good chance that you’re not really sure yet what you want that new job to be.
One statistic that I’ve heard several times is that 85% of MBA students are career switchers, and 85% of those don’t know to what career they want to switch (Thanks for this one, JB).
If we do a little math, that means, based on this statistic, about 72% of your class will looking to change to a yet-to-be-determined new career.
And while that number may or may not be accurate, many pre-MBAs fall into this category.
Going into b-school, a lot of pre-MBAs think they have the better part of two years to figure out what they want to do after graduation. So no rush, right?
WRONG.
Depending on what industry/job function you end up pursuing, you might need to start networking and preparing for internship interviews in the first couple of months (or even weeks!) of school.
This is the biggest b-school myth on the planet.
But if you’re in the 72% category and have no idea what you want to do, don’t have a burrito freakout. B-School Preschool is here to help!
Here’s a simple three-step process:
Do some thinking – think about what you like and don’t like (as it relates to work); what industries interest you? What do you want to spend your days doing?
Do some research – there are tons of resources out there but a good place to start is Vault.com. You can register for free and download career guides on a variety of jobs. Wetfeet also has a bunch of Industry Guides.
Do some talking – once you have a general idea of what you might be interested in, see if you can talk to some people in that industry or job function. You may even want to call your school’s career center and see if they can put you in touch alumni or others.
Do some writing – based on what you’ve learned, create a “Focus List” with 1-3 areas that you want to pursue further when you get to school.
Remember, the goal isn’t to figure out your life-long dream and chisel it in stone, but rather to land on 1-3 areas/jobs of interest. And don’t worry about “getting it right.” Much like your list of what’s important to you, the value of this exercise is having a list at all.
Having a narrowed-down Focus List will help when you get to school and don’t have the time to pursue everything that comes your way. Basically, it will help you focus. (but the name “Focus List” probably gave that away already, right?)
Once you get to school and learn more about the things on your list through networking and recruiting events, you might realize they aren’t for you and replace them with other things that interest you more. That’s exactly what’s supposed to happen – unless of course you nailed your dream job through your pre-school research. And if that’s the case, kudos to you!
Either way, you’ve now moved yourself out of that 72% and taken another step toward the head of the class. Congrats.
Pre-MBA’s, what’s on your focus lists? Have any questions? Want the backstory on the “burrito freakout?” MBAs and post-MBAs, did you use this or a similar strategy? Or something totally different? Or nothing at all? Wanna share with the class? Please post a comment!
