Get MBA Careers Ready; the power of networking

Why networking is a crucial component of the Master of Business Administration and key to your future career success

CONTENTS

• Relationship building with peers
• Industry experience, application of theoretical input and teamworking
• Find out about courses
• Get ready to network
• Mentorship and MBA Career support
• Alumni networks & professional associations
• Internships
• Funding
• Careers

Relationship building with peers 

MBA programmes attract an eclectic cohort, with students coming from a wide variety of industry backgrounds and varying levels of experience. You will be studying alongside people with extensive industry experience, whose objective is to further their careers within their chosen profession, with a view to entering senior management or executive roles as well as early career professionals with less work experience, but hoping to access more senior roles by pursuing an MBA. The course is also suitable for entrepreneurs, wishing to refine their business skills and better understand their target market and how to navigate it. Regardless of your fellow cohorts’ backgrounds, you can be assured the course will bring together a wide range of people from all walks of life and networking begins the minute you meet them. According to Alessia Mevoli, MBA Course Director at Anglia Ruskin:

“You should not be aiming to find ‘a’ job but ‘the’ job that best matches your skillset and personality. I am a true believer that networking is a crucial aspect of pursuing an MBA (Master of Business Administration) as not only does it allow students to improve their interpersonal skills but also to enhance their chances of landing a job after completing their course.”

Developing strong, mutually beneficial relationships with those on your course will be your first opportunity to build valuable professional long-term relationships as a result of your MBA; however, there will be many more opportunities as a result of the course or from your own volution to build and expand your network during your time as an MBA student.

MBA alumnus, Agness Ann Anto (Business Change and Project Manager at Cambridge University Press & Assessment) recounts her experience of studying for an MBA and the value networking has played in her career path:

“Networking for me, played a focal role in shaping my academic journey as well as my professional path, fostering continuous learning and personal development. ARU provided several platforms for this through collaborative projects and other networking events and activities that helped me connect with industry professionals, mentors, course mates and also fellow students across the University! Personally, it was not just about making those connections but also about cultivating these relationships into meaningful ones that are helping me drive my career forward.”

Industry experience, application of theoretical input and teamworking

Most MBA courses require work experience within your chosen field. The reason being, MBAs aim to build upon existing knowledge, while exposing learners to more theoretical concepts in which they can apply their existing and newly acquired knowledge. Courses are highly collaborative, where you will be given lots of real-world scenarios in which you and your fellow classmates will have to analyse and devise the best strategies or outcomes for a given situation. How you come to your decisions will be based on the theoretical input you receive on the course, your previous professional experience and teamworking skills. Communication, collaboration and critical thinking are key components of the course. Hence, why a good command of the English language, should you be an international student, is usually a prerequisite of the course. Moreover, applicants are expected to come to this programme with a degree of maturity, confidence and industry experience.  

Find out about courses 

Prospective MBA students will already have an undergraduate degree and possess some professional experience. There are numerous institutions offering MBAs that focus on developing advanced business skills as well as specialised courses which are career specific MBA programmes. You can find out more about the range of MBA courses available here

Get ready to network…

Get your business cards ready: Whether in informal or formal settings, never miss the chance to talk to people about your career goals and aspirations. You never know what potential contacts you may make, so always be ready with a business card; ensure your cards have up-to-date contact information as well as social media handles.

Get your ‘elevator pitch’ ready: This can be a just few lines about who you are, what you do; similar to your LinkedIn profile or X bio. Keep it short and simple, but with the aim of establishing a human connection and the possibility of a follow up conversation with business cards at the ready!

Get on the case: Always follow up any leads or contacts straight away. An informal but polite thank you email to say: ‘how nice it was to meet you’, can go a long way. Don’t let small interactions go to waste!

Get involved: Offer to help support on MBA events—such as being a touch point for guest speakers who come to your institution. This is an opportunity to make a personal connection with them. Think about gaining work experience through internships or volunteering, all of this will come in useful for references later on.

Get yourself out there: Go to industry events, join relevant associations and connect with alumni from your MBA programme.

Get with the game: Stay up-to-date with the latest industry news; read up on the latest trends within your sector so you can confidently talk on a range of industry issues during an interview or when networking.

Get connected: Remember both old and new acquaintances carry value; see what you can do to help or connect people and the offer just might be reciprocated. Most universities will have alumni networks. Target an alumnus whose career path aligns most with your aspirations and reach out to them.

Get organised: Bear in mind that different companies may require different skillsets; adapt your CV and cover letter accordingly to meet job specifics. Showcase your MBA qualification, relevant skills and experience, emphasising your achievements and how your particular skills align with requirements of the job.   

Get the lowdown: Research the job market and identify the industries and roles which most align with your strengths, skills and interests. Speak to alumni or people within the company or look for reviews online. Find out about the work ethic and culture and if this aligns with your values and career aspirations. Research contacts and influential people and follow them on X.

Get online: Keep your online presence regular and up-to-date. Proactively tweet or share information relevant to your profession to make your online presence known. Have a diverse range of contacts that can help you with your future progression and follow influential in people in your field whose careers inspire you.

Mentorship and MBA Career Support 

Some universities such as UCL offer MBA mentorship schemes which pair you up with more experienced peers in order to share expertise. MBA course Director, Alessia Mevoli from ARU, explains that recently they, “launched a peer-to-peer scheme within the Faculty of Business and Law where current students (Centre for Student Success Associates) offering support to the new PG starters and allowing for the exchange of ideas, collaboration on projects and peer learning”.

Mentorship schemes are becoming more common place; it’s worth checking, when researching prospective universities if such a scheme exists on their MBA programmes. Career support will be an integral part of your MBA. You will be guided by careers advisors and industry experts who will be able to provide you with practical advice, industry connections, CV workshops and tips on how to network more effectively within your chosen field.

Alumni networks & professional associations 

Individual institutions will each have their own network of MBA alumni, enabling current students to connect with former students, where you can gain advice and initial job leads from peers. For example, Anglia Ruskin’s Enterprise Academy supports ‘enterprising students’ to deep dive into the realms of business, through a range of programmes, act ivities and events; providing them with lots of networking opportunities.

In addition to this, most MBA courses will be accredited by one the following three globally recognised accrediting bodies: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), The Association of MBAs (AMBA) and The European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), ensuring your qualification is internationally recognised. Moreover, these associations offer MBA Alumni opportunities for continued professional development throughout their careers. Here are just some of the accredited MBA Business Schools in the UK:

• Anglia Ruskin University
• University of Birmingham
• University of Leicester
• University of Strathclyde
• University of Nottingham
• University of Hull

Internships 

You should start researching internships from Day 1 of your course and try to have something lined up for the summer period between year 1 and year 2 of your MBA. Internships will help you develop industry-specific skills through experiential learning. Moreover, internships can act like an extended interview, where the company can get to know your talents and skills over a period of time, increasing the possibility of a job offer upon completion of your course. Some universities such as Anglia Ruskin, build placements into their programme.

“Students on our MBA course can also opt for the ‘Professional Work Placement Option’ where being in an organisation, learning and using key soft skills in a professional environment will help to enhance their attractiveness to employers after completing the MBA course.” Alessia Mevoli, Course Director, Anglia Ruskin

In addition, go online and research internship events, which happen throughout the year; you will find lists of upcoming dates, where you can meet people from your chosen industry and find out what internship opportunities are available. Another good source is LinkedIn’s summer intern page.

Funding 

MBAs are prestigious qualifications that offer those who decide to follow this route a significant return on investment. Course fees will depend on the university. However, there are various options for funding such as sponsorship from your workplace, scholarships, or part-time study, so you can work and self-fund. Find out more about funding options.

Careers 

MBA programmes aim to advance students in their current field by preparing them for senior leadership roles. An MBA opens numerous career pathways in finance, management, international management, consulting, IT management, executive management, supply chain management and healthcare management among many more. Here are just some examples of the career pathways open to MBA students:

•  Project Manager
•  Marketing Manager
•  Business Analyst

In sum, networking can open numerous doors and provide invaluable insights into the job market. It is an essential component of an MBA, focussing on building and maintaining long-term sustainable professional relationships, which ultimately will help you to advance your career.

Next: Search for MBA courses