The career center at your business school is your go-to destination for all things related to career preparation—it’s an invaluable resource you should tap into from your very first day. 

While most business schools offer MBA career services, not every school channels a significant investment into such services.

Arizona State University’s (ASU) W. P. Carey School of Business has invested a whopping $15 million in career management services. 

We spoke to Triné Nelson, the director of career services at W. P. Carey Career Services Center, to find out what this funding means for students, along with top tips on how to use MBA career services to your advantage. 

1. Create a strategic mindset with the help of MBA career services

Most of the time, carving out a great career and future for yourself isn’t something that happens accidentally. It requires thought, dedication, and careful planning. 

While career services at business school can increase your chances of finding your dream job, you’re going to need to put in the work to maximize the benefits.

The W. P. Carey Career Services Center aims to help students build a strategic mindset, going beyond just helping them secure jobs, as explained by Triné (pictured). 

“We believe in helping students develop into competitive candidates who stand out in the market and are confident in their capabilities,” she says.

One of the ways that W. P. Carey achieves this goal is through the Career Blueprint resource, which helps students develop a comprehensive set of tools and a communication plan to showcase their assets. 

“We assist students in recognizing not only their work experience and academic achievements but also the characteristics and talents that set them apart from the competition,” she adds.

2. Inform your career coach about your goals

Every MBA student has different career aspirations and target sectors, so career support services need to be as tailored to the individual as possible. 

When meeting with a career advisor, make sure to think carefully about your career goals and where you would like to be post-MBA. The more information you provide, the more tailored the advice can be.

“We partner with students as they assess their skills, dissect areas, and explore industries of interest, while assisting them with activities traditionally associated with career services, such as resume development, interview preparation, and offer assessment,” says Triné.

This bespoke approach ensures that students receive personalized advice during 1:1 coaching appointments. 

“All content is tailored by market-informed staff to address where students are in their academic journeys,” she adds, highlighting that the business school’s investment in career services has transformed how coaches engage with students."

3. Stay informed about MBA industry trends

Business school is leveling the playing field, helping to educate a generation of bright and ambitious future business leaders—so how can you stand out among the crowd? 

Being aware of industry and hiring trends is one way to get ahead in a competitive jobs market.

“A trend we’ve observed at ASU is the emphasis that companies place on having a robust internship pipeline and focusing on converting those successful internships into full-time offers,” says Triné. 

She adds that, based on the W. P. Carey MBA class of 2023 data, there is a noticeable trend of employers using internships as a 10-week job interview to secure talent early in the recruitment process. 

In fact, 47% of those eligible for internship conversion accepted offers for full-time employment.

This implies that securing an MBA internship is about more than just filling your summer vacation break or boosting your resume—it could be your ticket to a job at a renowned company.

“Students can use their coaching appointments to refine their career skills, partnering with their career coach to develop their job/internship search strategy,” she says.

4. Connect with your target MBA recruiters

If you’re considering business school, it’s likely that you have a few companies in mind that you’d love to work for. This is where business school career services can really help, as these services are often partnered with or have links to top companies. 

It’s a ready-made career network that you should take full advantage of.

The W. P. Carey Career Services Center partners with more than 600 companies across all MBA industries, including Enterprise, Zoom, and the National Security Agency. 

“Students can connect with these employers through company information sessions, MBA networking events, and other on-campus recruiting events,” says Triné

Successful ASU MBA grads land a variety of jobs in entrepreneurship and the nonprofit sector. Meanwhile, grads from the ASU MBA class of 2023 secured jobs at top companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and EY.

5. Improve your MBA networking skills

If you’ve ever heard the phrase 'It’s not what you know, it’s who you know' and presumed this was a total myth, you’d be incorrect. 

Of course, a holistic and sharp understanding of the business landscape is extremely important, but when it comes to getting your foot in the door, connections can make all the difference.

That’s why W. P. Carey hosts career networking events and offers advice on how to be a great networker.

“It’s important to hone your narrative by understanding how to discuss your skills and interests compellingly, but just as importantly, to go in armed with a natural curiosity about others and [the company’s] work,” advises Triné.

Even if you’re not yet ready to apply for an MBA job, it’s never too early to start thinking about ways that you can use your MBA experience to get ahead in the business world.