102 www.blackeoejournal.com Black EOE Journal
HIGHER EDUCATION
yourself? Either make all your social media profiles private or clean them up so that youre presenting yourself in a mature and professional way.
Find your way around campus
Theres nothing worse than getting lost on your first day, so avoid that fate by looking around your institution before your classes begin. Take your schedule and walk to every class beforehand, so you'll be able to find your way there easily when you need to. Most institutions offer tours of the various departments and facilities, so take advantage of these too.
Start growing your network
A big part of an MBA course is the non- academic side of things. Networking and making contacts are a major reason for attending business school, so make the most of the opportunity. Introduce yourself to everyone you can, and spend time getting to know your classmates and professors. Particularly seek out those with different backgrounds to your own. This is one of the best chances you will have in your life to meet such a diverse range of people.
Join clubs
Extra-curricular activities are not only an enjoyable way to meet people and break up your school-work schedule, they also help to impress potential employers. Most clubs will have a try it session, so attend all the ones youre interested in and pick a number to actively participate in. If you can, secure a leadership position in a society, as this looks fantastic on future job applications.
Think about your career
Its easy to get swept away by the MBA experience, but remember what you're there for: to advance your career. Make time to research your course options early on and ensure they will help in the pursuit of your goals. Speak to the careers department often and attend recruitment events to meet with potential employers. The internship portion of your course is also very important for career progression, so prepare for it thoroughly and select a company youd be happy working for - they might just offer you a job once your MBA is complete.
Practice your interview skills
Informational interviews offer you the chance to get a feel for the kind of interviews that you will be dealing with after graduation. They also provide the opportunity to explore different companies and introduce yourself to recruitment staff. Many MBA courses include classes which include informational interviews.
Make sure you're organized
An MBA course requires a significant amount of juggling tasks, events and classes, so organization skills are essential. Before beginning the course, familiarize yourself with the tools youll use to organize your study, including study apps, planners and calendars. Once your course has started, make a timetable to plan out your time and stick to it - procrastination is your worst enemy. No period of your life will depend on your organizational and management skills more than studying for an MBA.
Engage, but don't force your opinion
Contributing in class is essential, but that doesnt mean you should railroad the group. If you have something to add to the discussion, do so and if you disagree with something, make that known, but dont attempt to dominate the discussion. Youll learn more by listening than you will by speaking, and youll make more friends that way too.
Find a way to relax
MBA courses are stressful, so offset this by finding a healthy way to relax. For some, it might be jogging, for others painting or reading. When youve found what works for you, set aside time each week to do it. Your anxiety levels will thank you.
Source: TopMBA
Previous Page