MBA Careers Q&A: University of Minnesota Carlson School

At the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, the careers team aims to take an active role in a student’s MBA journey, starting with their role in the admissions process and continuing throughout the program and into their post-MBA careers.

In terms of career trends, the school has noticed a recent, “uptick in activity from technology consulting organizations, medium-sized consumer products (CPG) firms, and small businesses looking to recruit graduate business students.” Read the full interview with the Carlson School's graduate careers team and find out more about its approach to helping MBA students find their dream MBA jobs.

Does the career services team at Carlson work with the MBA admissions team during applicant assessment? If so, how?

Yes, selected members of the career services team serve on an application-review committee and participate as contributing members towards making admissions decisions for a subset of full-time MBA applications.

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

The bulk of on-campus recruiting for full-time positions occurs in September and October. On-campus recruiting for internship positions occurs primarily in January and February. In addition, we host corporate events all year; the height of these events being in the fall.

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

Our Graduate Business Career Center coaches mentor our students in interview prep, networking, job-search strategies and offer negotiation as well as in career exploration and discovery, effective résumés, cover letters and professional correspondence, and dressing for business, effective personal presentation and branding.

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?

Coaches meet one-on-one with students and form personal relationships. Our coaches also work with our business development team. We continue these relationships with alumni. All of this allows our team to directly guide students towards positions that are a great fit and prepare them for recruitment events.

We also give the students as much exposure to companies as possible, through information sessions, site visits (locally and nationally), networking events, and professional panels that include representatives from companies and alumni.

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

Yes, there are numerous new companies recruiting at Carlson. Some of the new companies include more entrepreneurial small businesses specializing in the technology field. We have also seen an uptick in activity from technology consulting organizations, medium-sized consumer products (CPG) firms, and small businesses looking to recruit graduate business students.

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

We have seen a sharp increase in online interviews, virtual information sessions and the use of Skype, Cisco Jabber, and other tech tools. We have also seen a slight trend away from behavioral interviews and an increase in blended interviews (behavioral and small case).

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

Our alumni have access to career coaching as they advance in their careers. They are welcome to come in for one-on-one coaching appointments and they still have access to TalentLink, our online recruiting system, and all of the information and tools therein.

We stay in contact with alumni via email and regularly reach out to them. We invite them to participate in and attend peer panels and to attend events for students. We also connect with them on national treks.