At the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, 90.7 percent of 2016 MBA students had a job offer at graduation; 98.4 percent had a job offer by three months post graduation. And it’s no surprise. Not only is the Booth School ranked as one of the top names in MBA education by Bloomberg, U.S News, Financial Times, and The Economist, but as a university, it places a high emphasis on career services.
Student Career Management Tools
The Booth School has a capable and well-trained team of career professionals ready to help MBA students find a job. They have a variety of tools and programs available that can help students through the entire process from determining their career path to positioning themselves, managing the interview, handling job offer negotiations and training for their new job. These tools include:
- Assessment Tools: Booth provides web-based assessment tools and tests to help MBA students better understand their interests and talents, so that they can find the job and environment that best suits their personality and gifts.
- Career Coaching: Students can talk to a career coach for more insight into their career including their goals and job search strategy. A coach can also help MBA students learn more about specific job functions, better prepare for interviews, and develop a strategy for negotiating job offers.
- Career Development: Even after you have a job, Booth helps students further develop their career with industry and job function discussions, networking experiences, and lessons on how to develop a marketing message.
- Workshops: MBA students can also attend a variety of career workshops covering a broad range of topics from resume and cover letter writing to interviewing and company research.
- Second-Year Advisors: All second-year MBA students are eligible for an advisor who will provide function-specific coaching along with resume feedback and mock interview help.
Career Research Resources
Beyond career services, the Booth School also offers a variety of resources for MBA students. These resources and research opportunities make it easier for MBAs to be successful in their job search. Some of the investigation and support tools include:
- Career Resources Center: There is an entire Center at Booth that offers both print and online tools to help MBA students research industries, companies, contacts, news, and staff.
- Resume Databases: For MBA students who don’t know where to start on their resume, the Booth School has an archive of resumes from previous students and classes. This database can help students find a successful resume for almost any job type and experience.
- Job Postings: Global Talent Solutions is the Booth School’s online tool for searching and applying for jobs. MBA students can create a profile, search for jobs and companies, and apply for jobs.
- Career Podcasts: For additional learning opportunities, students can listen to a series of online audio recordings with CareerCast, which offers long-term career development advice.
- Blog: For regular updates on companies and the business market as well as practical career advice from recruiters, hiring managers, and alumni, the Booth School offers a Career Services Blog.
Internships
One of the most integral parts of any full-time MBA education is the summer internship. The Booth School makes internships a priority. In fact, in 2012, nearly 100 percent of all Full-Time MBA students attained an internship, and those positions covered 24 different functions including everything from brand/product management to consulting, private equity, and more.
To make earning an internship an easier process, the Booth School offers MBA students a variety of support:
- Internship Conference: This full-day conference brings in alumni and other top professionals to share their experiences and advice.
- Corporate Events: Students can attend over 250 different corporate events to learn about internships opportunities and to start building their network.
- Student Mentors: For first-year students getting ready for their internships, they’ll have the chance to talk with and work with student mentors who can provide career advice and information on what to expect from their internship.
Job & Company Access
When attending a well-known and well-respected school such as Booth, one of the biggest benefits is the access to jobs and top companies around the world. At Booth, they turn this into an art form with multiple options for gainful employment. Those opportunities include:
- Information Sessions: MBA students can attend more than 150 on-campus information sessions such as Corporate Conversations, Corporate Networking Nights, and Meet-n-Greets. These events help MBA students learn about specific companies, industries, and job functions while making valuable network contacts.
- Interviews: The Booth School also holds a wide variety of on-campus interviewing opportunities. In a recent year, almost 200 firms including Apple, Microsoft, Pfizer, McKinsey, and American Express came to campus to recruit.
- Resume Referral: Booth directly supplies top companies with resumes of qualified candidates based on the job description and the student’s wants. Many firms have used the resume referral service including General Electric, BP, United Airlines, Kraft, and more.
- Alumni Network: The Booth School is home to more than 51,00 graduates in 108 countries worldwide. This means that MBA students can reach out to a global network of individuals to gain advice and help earn a job in a range of industries including aerospace, real estate, telecommunications, health care, and more.
- Industry Treks: Each year, MBA students have the option of participating in nearly 20 different treks around the US to learn about the industries and job functions that interest them. These treks help students meet alumni and professionals to build their network.
At the Booth School of Business, MBA students have hundreds of opportunities to increase their potential for career success whether through networking, coaching, research, or even hands-on experience. For the specifics of the career tools and resources available to students, you will need to contact the school or become a student and log in to the Career Services Center.