Why Career Vision Is Important

Having a clear career vision is critical when it comes to the MBA application process.

Applicants who have a good understanding of their career vision can clearly articulate their goals and motives throughout the MBA application process: from the personal statement to the interview.

Heidi Hillis, of Fortuna Admissions, recently discussed the importance behind a career vision and what admissions officers look for in applicants when conveying their vision.

WHY A CAREER VISION MATTERS

Many b-schools asks applicants to answer prompts that help admissions officers understand their goals and motives behind an MBA.

For instance, NYU Stern’s first essay prompt asks applicants to answer what their short and long-term career goals are and how an MBA will help them achieve those goals.

Hillis says nearly every MBA program will ask applicants to explicitly discuss their career goals in both the application and the interview stage.

“Finding a theme and story around the decisions you’ve made so far will help with the process for developing an eye-catching career vision,” Hillis writes.

Be Clear and Compelling

Hillis stresses the importance of having a clear and compelling career vision. She recommends applicants to do industry and company research related to your goals.

“Consider it your first MBA assignment,” Hillis writes. “Articulating a clear and captivating career vision is an indication of the quality of work — and clarity of thought — you’re able to produce.”

Get Ambitious

MBA grads often go off to become future business leaders. Thus, according to Hillis, it’s important to be ambitious and inspiring when discussing your vision.

“A career vision that’s ambitious expresses that you’re aiming for seniority in your chosen industry (no b-school is looking for applicants aspiring only to middle management),” Harris writes. “An ‘inspiring’ career necessitates that you have aspirations to impact an industry, community or society at large.”

Show Urgency

In addition to learning about your goals, MBA admissions officers also want to know why their particular school is a good fit for your vision.

Hillis says applicants should demonstrate the urgency and necessity behind earning a degree from a particular school and how it will help you achieve your goals.

“You’ll need to be persuasive that an MBA from this program is mission critical to your future ambitions,” Hillis writes. “Schools also want assurance that they’re equipped to help you reach your post-MBA targets.”