MBA Careers Q&A: Olin Business School, Washington University

The business world is always changing and the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis knows this well. Karen Heise, interim director of the school’s Weston Career Center and its employer relations manager, explains that an increase in hiring from healthcare firms and startups, as well as changes to the interview process through webinars and ‘virtual recruiting’, is ensuring Olin keeps up with the times.

To stand out at MBA job fairs and recruiting, students must also do the work to, “sell themselves [and] articulate their value proposition,” says Heise. Read on to find out more about how Olin’s careers center helps students land MBA jobs.

Does the Weston Career Center team work with the MBA admissions team during applicant assessment?

Yes, we collaborate closely and consistently with our admissions team. Particularly in times where employability might be a question, our team will get further involved.

When do on-campus corporate recruitment events and interviews typically take place at Olin?

Starting typically in early September and occurring throughout the academic year. The fall (autumn) is the busiest time.

Are there particular skills that career services helps students to accentuate during job fairs and recruiting? 

Yes, we emphasize students must sell themselves, articulate their value proposition and build relationships.

How does the careers center help MBA students prepare for recruitment events? In what ways does the careers center help match students with companies that will be a good cultural fit for them?  

We have a robust career education program that starts even before matriculation. It also has a very heavy communications skills component. We don’t ‘match’ students and companies but we do emphasize the fit and cultural fit elements, plus we'll have guests, like alumni, hosted here for events (panel discussions, for example) to further reinforce this.

Are there any new companies recruiting on campus? Have you seen a change in industries? 

We have seen a slight increase from healthcare firms and startups. 

Are there any changes to the way in which companies are recruiting? 

We have definitely seen an increase in webinars and 'virtual recruiting' (i.e. first-round interviews conducted by Skype or phone).  We see also an increase in case interviews across functions.

What kind of contact does the careers center have with MBAs after they graduate?

Our Weston Career Center has a liaison role which partners with our alumni and development team. This has afforded us additional connectivity with alumni. We continuously have alumni events in the marketplace, such as those which take place around an MBA conference in a specific city (i.e. a Chicago conference wil often mean an MBA alumni reception too). Our student clubs invite alumni to campus throughout the year, as does our team, so they’re woven into career education.