Start today. Succeed tomorrow.
The Career Resource Center (CRC) welcomes you to the UB MBA program. The CRC staff look forward to working closely with you throughout your program and helping you achieve your career goals.
The Career Resource Center (CRC) serves as the primary resource for students and alumni of the School of Management in career exploration and job search. The CRC is a key link between the school and employers, offering many programs that bring these groups together, such as career events, alumni connections, internships, campus recruiting and career development workshops and seminars. Our mission is to create a caring environment that enables and motivates you to be successful in reaching your individual career goals.
The CRC's dedicated staff is committed to assisting you throughout your career development and job search process. Get to know our team by visiting the CRC staff page.
Here at the UB School of Management, your career development process starts before you even begin your first class. This career checklist is just the beginning. During your fall MBA Advantage program the Career Resource Center will introduce you to many resources and tools that will allow you to develop your own plan and help you achieve your career goals. In the meantime, follow the outline and deadline below to prepare for your career and ensure completion of CRC requirements during the MBA program.
There are three deliverables due on Sunday, June 30, 2024 for all incoming MBA students (who have made their tuition deposit).
Frank L. Ciminelli Family
Career Resource Center
School of Management
University at Buffalo
308 Alfiero Center
Buffalo, NY 14260-4010
Tel: 716-645-3232
Fax: 716-645-3231
mgt-crc@buffalo.edu
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Complete the CareerLeader™ online assessment. (Time: 30-60 minutes) Follow the instructions on how to access this assessment (PDF file). Sign in using your UB email. Review and save the Narrative Report. You will be need to refer to it during MBA Advantage in August. (CRC Requirement)
Complete the Career Vision assignment by June 30. This brief worksheet incorporates your CareerLeader results and your vision for the MBA program and your career goals.
Throughout your career it is important that you have mentors or a "personal board of directors" that can give you advice, provide relevant information about companies, industries, cultures and give you honest feedback.
So start thinking about someone you might like as a mentor - someone you would consider to be a "career idol". Do your research. You may want to start looking through your network (friends, family, and business leaders in the community) or people who work at one of your target companies. Additionally you can identify alumni of UB or UB School of Management on LinkedIn, our Alumni Success profiles, or through our networking platform Connect-a-Bull.
To complete the online Career Idol assignment by June 30, be prepared to:
1. Provide the name, company and title of someone who you admire for their professional profile. Pick a person you honestly think you could see yourself reaching out to (at some point) for career advice.
2. How does this person’s background tie into your own personal career goals? Please explain with specific details from their profile and at least three connections to your goals.
Tell us...who is your Career Idol?
Some of our more competitive students who are conducting a national job search opt to attend a national career conference. Learn about these conferences here. The most common career fairs are:
If you plan to attend a national career fair, connect with your CRC career advisor in early summer.
TIP: Watch the Prepare for the National Conferences workshop. And watch BizLink for the latest workshops.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Many of the employers who attend national career fairs focus on domestic candidates at the fair. However, it may be an opportunity to connect with company representatives for future opportunities.
Sign in to the BizLink career management system and create your profile, clarifying your job experience and job preferences.
As you begin your MBA program it is important to focus on your career development. After all, most of you are here to get a better job, change careers or enhance another degree. Take advantage of the career resources offered through our office and online. You can get started with the resources below.
Schedule an individual career appointment with your appropriate CRC staff member based on your primary functional option/concentration by Monday, September 18. (REQUIRED) Appointments can take place after the 16th, but should be scheduled by then. Schedule your appointment directly through BizLink. Go to Counseling an and then click Add New Appointment. Scroll down the left side to find your advisor's name, select their name only and click Check Availability.
After your résumé has been critiqued by VMock, you have made revisions, participated in a summer résumé session or Resumania appointment, then make final changes. Upload your résumé to the BizLink. All MBA résumés should be CRC approved and uploaded by September 23, 2024.
Bullseye, “powered by Handshake” is the career system of the university-wide career services office, the Career Design Center. You have access to the resources in both career offices. The Career Design Center in Capen Hall as well as the management-specific Career Resource Center in Alfiero Center.
Some companies are recruiting early; as early as the summer before you start the program and in early fall. These are usually national companies and some in very competitive industries like consulting or technology. While other companies (particularly larger national companies or those doing development/leadership program hiring) recruit students in early fall. So, it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. BizLink also lists Employer Information Sessions.
Review cover letter and job search correspondence resources. Any letter or email sent to a potential employer must be error-free, appropriately formatted and tailored to the company's needs and the desired employment opportunity. Watch the Writing a Cover Letter workshop.
Attend both the UB Management Career and Internship Expo and the UB STEAM Fair in early fall. Some of the attending companies will hold on-campus interviewing immediately or shortly after the fair. (However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.) Review the CRC's Job Fairs and Events page for more information.
Join student organizations and local professional associations that relate to your functional area of interest.
Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:
Keep an Excel file of these companies, contacts and activity. Keep text of the positions you apply to for when you get called for the interview.
Make the most of your winter break by networking and learning.
Continue building your network and relationships using the CRC networking resources.
Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using your current contacts, alumni you have met through the UB MBA program and LinkedIn. The Career Resource Center can also help you connect to alumni or company contacts.
Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events. Check in BizLink, Bullseye and CRC Events for more information. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions. Also use LinkedIn. Explore Relish Careers if you are interested in working outside Western New York.
Continue to research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and job opportunities. Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted direct mail/email campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, faculty and alumni, as well as friends and family. Understand when each company on your list recruits college grads for internships and new positions.
Companies in certain industries are recruiting very early. Consulting is one of those industries. It is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for job opportunities. Be sure to sign up for the free portion of Management Consulted if you are interested in working in consulting.
While interning during the summer, start revising your résumé using our résumé resources. Be sure to resubmit your résumé to VMock for a critique and make additional revisions. (Note: you can submit to VMock 10 times in one academic year.) After your revisions are complete, upload your new résumé to BizLink.
Update all of your profiles related to your job search.
Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:
Keep an Excel file of these companies, contacts and activity. Keep text of the positions you apply to for when you get called for the interview.
Some companies are recruiting early; as early as the summer before you start the program and in early fall. These are usually national companies and some in very competitive industries like consulting or technology. While other companies (particularly larger national companies or those doing development/leadership program hiring) recruit students in early fall. So, it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. BizLink also lists Employer Recruiting Events.
While interning during the summer, start revising your résumé using our résumé resources. Be sure to resubmit your résumé to VMock for a critique and make additional revisions. (Note: you can submit to VMock 10 times in one academic year.) After your revisions are complete, upload your new résumé to BizLink.
Update all of your profiles related to your job search.
Information about events and workshops are promoted through email during the semester. RSVP for events in BizLink.
Advanced interviewing will be covered in your fall course, MGG600 MBA Discussion Group. If you are applying for national internships then start early, and watch the Advanced Interviewing workshop series. Then schedule a practice interview with your CRC career advisor (Katie or Pam) via BizLink to set a baseline interview. This will help you be prepared in case an employer calls you for an interview unexpectedly
Companies are recruiting early. Some companies may begin recruiting the summer before you start the program and in early fall. These are usually national companies and some in very competitive industries like consulting or technology. It is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities.
Attend both the UB Management Career and Internship Expo and the UB STEAM Fair in early fall. Some of the attending companies will hold on-campus interviewing immediately or shortly after the fair. (However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.) Review the CRC's Job Fairs and Events page for more information.
Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:
Keep an Excel file of these companies, contacts and activity. Keep text of the positions you apply to for when you get called for the interview.
Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community and on campus. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.
Continue to research and identify a list of companies to target for full-time job opportunities. Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted direct mail/email campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, faculty and alumni, as well as friends and family. Understand when each company on your list recruits college grads for new positions.
Determine your market-value by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with these salary resources and School of Management’s Employment and Salary Statistics; also collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range.
Review information on Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations.
Launch your Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a timely manner so that you are eligible to begin working full-time for your prospective employer.
Within two to three months of graduation, you should no longer be looking at the "college hiring" section of company websites. Focus on immediate openings for experienced candidates.
Complete the School of Management Job Offer and Employment Update Survey before you confer your degree.
As soon as you graduate, you are a member of the School of Management Alumni Association. We recommend updating your contact information and joining the LinkedIn group.
Update your LinkedIn profile to show your new employer and job title and keep in contact. The CRC often reaches out to alumni from the program to help advise current students about companies, industries, markets and hiring processes.