What It’s Like To Be A Woman At HBS

Applying When You Want to Move Up Instead of Out

There’s a popular stereotype of MBAs as career switchers. Like any caricature, it is a lagging indicator. According to Sangeet Chowfla, president of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the percentage of so-called “career switchers” has dropped from a half to a third in just the past five years. Instead, many MBA candidates are looking to remain in the same function or industry. They are simply broadening their skill sets to prepare themselves for leadership roles.

In those cases, how do you know which school fits? A recent U.S. News & World Report column surveyed several administrators and experts on this topic. To start, candidates should examine each school’s curriculum, particularly which elective courses are available. Even more, they should consider when key electives are available. For example, as U.S. News notes, the University of Wisconsin allows students to take three electives during the first year, something many schools are now doing from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School to Washington University’s Olin School. By exposing students to their specialization earlier, the school better prepares them for their summer internship. This also gives students more time to change their specializations in case their interests change.

However, the classroom is only part of the equation. Chioma Isiadinso, co-founder and CEO of Expartus who has worked in admissions for the Harvard Business School, encourages students to look for research projects to gain practical experience. School-sponsored clubs, conferences, and trips are other ways for students to build their trade and industry knowledge (not to mention their network).

Finally, Jennifer Barba, associate director of admissions at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, warns students to review school employer reports to make sure graduates are landing jobs in the fields and companies that interest them. Students can also target alumni and recruiters for more objective guidance as well.

DON’T MISS: MY CAREER DOESN’T HAVE A CLEAR TRAJECTORY

Source: U.S. News & World Report

Poets and Quants for Undergrads

IS COLLEGE WORTH IT?

Poets and Quants for Execs

FINANCIAL TIMES RANKING KNOCKS TOP U.S. SCHOOLS

EXECUTIVE MBAs CATCHING THE STARTUP BUG