Four Key Ways to Successfully Kick Off Your Post-MBA Career
Late last week, WeSolv joined 160 incoming MBA students from across the country at the annual Poets & Quants Pre-MBA Festival. While the Festival celebrated the accomplishments of those embarking upon the first phase of their MBA careers (more about that in a later post), we couldn’t help thinking of those who are ending theirs over the course of the next few months.
With business school graduation ceremonies currently taking place across the country, this is both an exciting and overwhelming time for the Class of 2018. Some of these newly minted MBAs are kicking off new jobs and also entirely new careers. That’s why we particularly appreciated the Festival’s panel of recent graduates who represented leading companies like Colgate-Palmolive, Microsoft, PepsiCo and NBC Universal. The panelists offered a valuable glimpse into the opportunities and challenges of entering the workforce after graduation, and we’ve highlighted just a few that we hope will help the Class of 2018 bring their best selves to their new roles.
Figure out who’s who very quickly.
Getting to know your teammates as well as colleagues outside of your team is not only the collegial thing to do — it is the smart thing to do. Leverage any resources you have at your disposal — from the company directory, to affinity groups, to coffee dates — to expand your internal network. These individuals and channels will come in handy when the time comes to plan your next career move.
Avoid analysis paralysis.
For the past two years (or less, depending upon your specific program) you’ve gained a broad range of knowledge that will no doubt help solve your employer’s most critical challenges. Your brain power is a valuable commodity, but so are your decision making skills. In your new role don’t let over-analyzing a problem stand in the way of making a move. Remember: Good is better than perfect.
Be vulnerable, and be okay with it.
It’s easy to feel like you are under a microscope when you are new to a job, especially if you are entering a new industry. Accept that you will have an adjustment period and that you will make a few mistakes. Own them and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Remember that you are there to provide a different perspective.
For career changers, moving into a new industry can be daunting and at times you may hesitate to offer your expertise until you learn the ropes. Your perspective might not seem immediately relevant, but chances are you have been hired as a whole package, pre-MBA experience included. Your colleagues and employer will benefit from your different perspective, so speak up and be involved even if you feel you haven’t quite grasped the ins and outs of your new career.
Have you received any valuable guidance for your post-MBA career? Leave them in the comments below!
