MS MIS Career Checklist

Get Started

Here at the School of Management, your career development process starts before you even begin your first class. Use this online career checklist and calendar designed for MS in MIS students to get this process started.

Read and follow the schedule outlined in each section to prepare for the internship and job search process. Access the necessary online tools and resources in each section to accomplish the semester objectives outlined.

The Career Resource Center 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.

Additional Resources

Summer and Fall Start

Fall Start

Summer Career Deliverables

  1. Attend virtual career sessions Friday, July 10, July 17, and July 24; 11:00 am-1:00 pm
  2. Build your updated résumé (U.S. style) using the CRC’s MS Résumé Template.
  3. Submit your résumé for critique using the AI résumé tool found on our résumé webpage, which provides instant, automated and personalized guidance on your résumé. You must use the preferred CRC résumé template and tools to get optimal results.
    • It is best to use a PC/laptop to effectively use the AI résumé tool. If you have accessibility concerns, please contact us directly.
  4. Revise your résumé based on your AI résumé tool feedback.
  5. Have your revised résumé ready for the virtual summer résumé workshop Date: July 17, 2026; 11:00 am-1:00 pm.

Consider attending a fall national career fair.

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 for our MIS students are:

You may be able to have some of your travel expenses reimbursed by the school. Apply for the WOW Fund in the Jobs section of BizLink. Read the instructions carefully and do not miss the deadlines. Applications are reviewed on the 15th of each month.

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. 

Create or update your LinkedIn profile.

  • Learn how to effectively create and leverage your profile using our social media tips.
  • Add your current degree program, selecting the “University at Buffalo, The State University at Buffalo” as your school.
  • Invite relevant UB staff, faculty or students you have communicated with to join your network after you have updated your profile to indicate you are attending our program.
  • When you can, add a personal note to your connection request.
  • Network, network, network! Learn more about networking best practices and find additional resources.

Learn the resources available on the Career Resource Center website.

You will receive access to Bizlink, the CRC’s career management system in June, or soon after you commit to UB. Watch for an email sent to your UB email address.

Create your BizLink profile

Sign in to the BizLink career management system and create your profile, clarifying your job experience and job preferences. 

  • As an incoming MS students will receive a welcome email message from BizLink once you have been added to the system. This usually occurs early in your first semester at UB.
  • Keep your profile up to date. The CRC staff uses the data to effectively communicate with students and market UB’s MS talent to prospective employers. 

Upload your résumé

After the summer résumé review session, and after you have made the recommended changes, upload your résumé to the BizLink system. All MS MIS résumés should be uploaded by the end of September.

  • It is extremely important that your uploaded résumé be error-free and in professional business format.
  • You can have multiple versions of your résumé in BizLink, but only one “default.”
  • As you edit your résumé throughout your program, be sure to upload the newest version to BizLink. Your default résumé should be your most up-to-date version.

Attend the CRC events and workshops

Information about events and workshops are promoted through email during the semester. RSVP for events in BizLink.

International Students: Attend various CRC international workshops

  • The CRC offers several workshops targeted for our international students to prepare them for the internship and job hunt. Sign up in BizLink.
  • In addition, attend all appropriate workshops provided by International Student Services (ISS), especially those pertaining to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and/or Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Schedule a practice interview

After watching the Advanced Interviewing workshop series and viewing the CRC interviewing guide and tips, schedule a practice interview with your career advisor via BizLink to set a baseline interview. This will help you be prepared in case an employer calls you for an interview unexpectedly.

  • When scheduling the interview through BizLink, submit a sample job posting.

Register with Bullseye

Bullseye, “powered by Handshake,” the career system of the university-wide Career Design Center. You have access to the resources in the main career office in Capen Hall as well as the management-specific career office in Alfiero Center.

  • Bullseye lists jobs, internships, on-campus interviews, company information sessions, career fairs, etc. for technical roles and even business opportunities. Do not miss out on this valuable resource. Companies come to campus for technical candidates (i.e. Bloomberg, Microsoft and more), so they collaborate with the Career Design Center, which serves engineering and computer science. But some of these companies also have less technical roles better filled by our MIS students.

Be aware of deadlines

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. 

  • If you are interested in a company that does not recruit on campus, consider attending a national career fair and view the college hiring section of those companies’ websites early. Application deadlines could begin as early as June (a whole year before graduation).

Start learning how to write cover letters and networking emails

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 the fairs

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 (virtual or in-person) 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, including the national career fairs. Potential financial assistance for conferences can be requested through the WOW Fund via BizLink | Jobs.

Get involved

Join student organizations and local professional associations that relate to your functional area of interest.

Build your network

Continue building your network and relationships. Review the CRC networking resources. Connect with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn. Use your personal professional contacts as well. Conduct informational interviews with as many contacts as possible. Sign up for Connect-a-Bull, an online space for alumni and students to connect.

Create a target list of companies

Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:

  • Mergent Intellect (found on UB Libraries): Research individual companies and the industry in which they reside, or build a list of companies within specific industries and/or geographic locations to target for internships or jobs
  • Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted email (or direct mail) campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, professors and alumni as well as friends and family.
  • Glassdoor: Create an account and gain an insider’s view of company reviews, how they interview, salaries and more
  • Interstride: A tool for international students to improve U.S. job search success. You can investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
  • MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
  • Follow your target companies on social media (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) as companies often post internships and jobs there before other, more expensive methods. Follow key people from those organizations as well.

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.

Update your résumé and BizLink (and Bullseye) profiles

Revise your résumé to showcase your fall projects. Upload your new résumé and update your profile and preferences in both BizLink and Bullseye.

Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
Using the CRC template is important, but you may still want to watch this quick video to learn the MS Word hacks necessary to format your résumé professionally.

Network New York and other New York City events

  • Participate in Network New York in January to meet with alumni in New York City (NYC) who work in your prospective field if you would like to work in NYC after graduation.
  • Attend valuable company tours organized by the school or clubs which may take place in NYC or other cities. Check BizLinkBullseye and the CRC Events for more information.
  • NYC events are typically advertised in November.

Build your network

Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn and your personal professional contacts. Sign up for Connect-a-Bull, an online space for alumni and students to connect.

Stay active with campus career events

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community, including any relevant event organized by UB Career Design Center. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.

Add to and update your target list of companies

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.

Keep up your networking

Continue building your network and relationships. Review the CRC networking resources. Connect with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn. Use your personal professional contacts as well. Conduct informational interviews with as many contacts as possible. Continue to engage on Connect-a-Bull to find alumni who are interested in networking with a student.

Be ready for the salary question

Determine your market-value by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with the School of Management’s Employment and Salary Statistics; also, collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range.

Manage your offers wisely

Review information on Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations.

  • Your acceptance of an internship or job offer is binding. Do not accept an offer, even verbally, until you are certain you are committed. 
  • Do not back out after accepting; that’s called reneging and is unethical. It will negatively impact your professional reputation, the reputation of the program and ultimately, could affect the value of your degree.

Launch your OPT (international students only)

Launch your Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a timely manner so that you are eligible to begin working full-time for your prospective employer. 

  • It takes at least three months for OPT to be authorized. 
  • If you are not eligible to begin working when the employer requests you to start, the employer may not wait for your OPT authorization.  
  • It is important you plan ahead on launching your OPT. You can submit paperwork for your OPT beginning three months before your conferral date. 

Begin applying to “just in time” or immediate openings

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.

Report your success!

Complete the School of Management Job Offer and Employment Update Survey before you confer your degree.

  • It is important to inform the school of your employment status whether you are still searching, accepted employment, starting a business, going to graduate school, or postponing your search. 
  • If you are still searching, we are here throughout the summer and will continue to assist with your search after graduation. 
  • If your status changes, you can update your employment status online. 
  • Providing this information is critical to the services we provide to both our students and employers. It also plays a strong role in the School of Management’s efforts to improve the value of your degree.
  • Information collected, including salary information, remains confidential and is only used in aggregate form.

You are a UB Bull forever

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

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.

Those who have extended graduation until September may duplicate some of these efforts again in the summer months.

Spring Start

Winter Career Deliverables

  1. Build your updated résumé (U.S. style) using the CRC’s MS Résumé Template.
  2. Submit your résumé for critique using the Big Resume (powered by Big Interview) tool, which provides instant, automated and personalized guidance on your résumé.. You must use the preferred CRC résumé template and tools to get optimal results. We especially recommend the video Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
    • Access to Big Resume will be granted soon after you commit to UB. 
    • It is best to use a PC/laptop to effectively use this tool. If you have accessibility concerns, please contact us directly.
  3. Revise your résumé based on your Big Resume feedback.

Consider attending a national career fair

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 for our MIS students are:

If you plan to attend a national career fair, you may be able to have some of your travel expenses reimbursed by the school. Apply for the WOW Fund in the Jobs section of BizLink. Read the instructions carefully and do not miss the deadlines. Applications are reviewed on the 15th of each month.

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. 

Create or update your LinkedIn profile

  • Learn how to effectively create and leverage your profile using our social media tips.
  • Add your current degree program, selecting the “University at Buffalo, The State University at Buffalo” as your school.
  • Invite relevant UB staff, faculty or students you have communicated with to join your network after you have updated your profile to indicate you are attending our program.
  • When possible, add a personal note to your connection request.
  • Network, network, network! Learn more about networking best practices and find additional resources.

Learn the resources available on the Career Resource Center website

You will receive access to BizLink, the CRC’s career management system in December, or soon after you commit to UB. Watch for an email sent to your UB email address.

Create your BizLink profile

Sign in to the BizLink career management system and create your profile, clarifying your job experience and preferences. 

  • As an incoming MS student, you will receive a welcome email from BizLink once you have been added to the system. This usually occurs in mid-summer.
  • Keep your profile up to date. The CRC staff uses the data to effectively communicate with students and market UB’s MS talent to prospective employers. 

Upload your résumé

After the summer résumé review session, and after you have made the recommended changes, upload your résumé to the BizLink system. All MS résumés should be uploaded by the middle of February.

  • It is extremely important that your uploaded résumé be error-free and in professional business format.
  • You can have multiple versions of your résumé in BizLink, but only one “default.”
  • As you edit your résumé throughout your program, be sure to upload the newest version to BizLink. Your default résumé should be your most up-to-date version.

Attend the CRC events and workshops

Information about events and workshops are promoted through email during the semester. RSVP for events in BizLink.

International Students: Attend various CRC international workshops

  • The CRC offers several workshops targeted for our international students to prepare them for the internship and job hunt. Sign up in BizLink.
  • In addition, attend all appropriate workshops provided by International Student Services, especially those pertaining to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and/or Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Schedule a practice interview

After watching the Advanced Interviewing workshop series and viewing the CRC interviewing guide and tips, schedule a practice interview with your career advisor via BizLink to set a baseline interview. This will help you be prepared in case an employer calls you for an interview unexpectedly.

  • When scheduling the interview through BizLink, submit a sample job posting.
  • Prior to your practice interview, you may want to complete your own privately recorded interview through Big Interview (free when you sign up with UB email address).

Register with Bullseye

Bullseye, “powered by Handshake,” the career system of the university-wide Career Design Center. You have access to the resources in the main career office in Capen Hall as well as the management-specific career office in Alfiero Center.

  • Bullseye lists jobs, internships, on-campus interviews, company information sessions, career fairs, etc. for technical roles and even business opportunities. Do not miss out on this valuable resource. Companies come to campus for technical candidates (i.e. Bloomberg, Microsoft and more) so they collaborate with the Career Design Center, which serves engineering, business, computer science and data science students. But some of these companies also have less technical roles.

Be aware of deadlines

Some companies (particularly large, national organizations) recruit students in early fall, so it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for opportunities. Some résumé deadlines are as early as September for on-campus interviewing, as well as company résumé submissions on their career portals.  

  • If you are interested in a company that does not recruit on campus, consider attending a national career fair and view the college hiring section of those companies’ websites early. Application deadlines could begin as early as June (a whole year before graduation).

Some companies (particularly large, national organizations) recruit students in early fall, so it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for opportunities. Some résumé deadlines are as early as September for on-campus interviewing, as well as company résumé submissions on their career portals.  

  • If you are interested in a company that does not recruit on campus, consider attending a national career fair and view the college hiring section of those companies’ websites early. Application deadlines could begin as early as June (a whole year before graduation).

Start learning how to write cover letters and networking emails

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.

Stay active in campus career events

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community, including events organized by UB Career Design Center. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for internships. Add to and update your target list of companies. Continue to research and identify a list of companies to target for internships and eventually 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 internships and new positions.

Get involved

Join student organizations and local professional associations that relate to your functional area of interest.

Build your network

Continue building your network and relationships. Review the CRC networking resources. Connect with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn. Use your personal professional contacts as well. Conduct informational interviews with as many contacts as possible. Sign up for Connect-a-Bull, an online space for alumni and students to connect.

Create a target list of companies

Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:

  • Mergent Intellect (found on UB Libraries): Research individual companies and the industry in which they reside, or build a list of companies within specific industries and/or geographic locations to target for internships or jobs
  • Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted email (or direct mail) campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, professors and alumni as well as friends and family.
  • Glassdoor: Create an account and gain an insider’s view of company reviews, how they interview, salaries and more
  • Interstride: A tool for international students to improve U.S. job search success. You can investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
  • MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
  • Follow your target companies on social media (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) as companies often post internships and jobs there before other, more expensive methods. Follow key people from those organizations as well.

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 break by networking and learning.

Update your résumé and BizLink (and Bullseye) profiles

Revise your résumé to showcase your fall projects. Upload your new résumé and update your profile and preferences in both BizLink and Bullseye.

Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
Using the CRC template is important, but you may still want to watch this quick video to learn the MS Word hacks necessary to format your résumé professionally.

Explore careers and make connections

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 LinkedIn and UB Connect-a-Bull, UB’s platform for alumni and students to connect with one another.

Explore MIS careers (roles, responsibilities, certification, requirements, industries, etc.) using the CRC MIS resources.

Get prepared for the job market using Interview Query

Build your network

Continue building your network and relationships. Review the CRC networking resources. Connect with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn. Use your personal professional contacts as well. Conduct informational interviews with as many contacts as possible. Sign up for Connect-a-Bull, an online space for alumni and students to connect.

Stay active with campus career events

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community, including any relevant events organized by the UB Career Design Center. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.

Add to and update your target list of companies

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.

Keep up your networking

Continue building your network and relationships. Review the CRC networking resources. Connect with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn. Use your personal professional contacts as well. Conduct informational interviews with as many contacts as possible. Continue to engage on Connect-a-Bull to find alumni who are interested in networking with a student.

Be ready for the salary question

Determine your market value by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with the School of Management’s Employment and Salary Statistics; also, collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range.

Manage your offers wisely

Review information on Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations.

  • Your acceptance of an internship or job offer is binding. Do not accept an offer, even verbally, until you are certain you are committed. 
  • Do not back out after accepting; that’s called reneging and is unethical. It will negatively impact your professional reputation, the reputation of the program and ultimately, could affect the value of your degree.

Launch your OPT (international students only)

Launch your Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a timely manner so that you are eligible to begin working full-time for your prospective employer. 

  • It takes at least three months for OPT to be authorized. 
  • If you are not eligible to begin working when the employer requests you to start, the employer may not wait for your OPT authorization.  
  • It is important you plan ahead on launching your OPT. You can submit paperwork for your OPT beginning three months before your conferral date. 

Begin applying to “just in time” or immediate openings

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.

Report your success

Complete the School of Management Job Offer and Employment Update Survey before you confer your degree.

  • It is important to inform the school of your employment status whether you are still searching, accepted employment, starting a business, going to graduate school, or postponing your search. 
  • If you are still searching, we are here throughout the summer and will continue to assist with your search after graduation. 
  • If your status changes, you can update your employment status online. 
  • Providing this information is critical to the services we provide to both our students and employers. It also plays a strong role in the School of Management’s efforts to improve the value of your degree.
  • Information collected, including salary information, remains confidential and is only used in aggregate form.

You are a UB Bull forever

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

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.

Contact Us

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

Summer Office Hours
Monday-Thursday

9 a.m. - noon, 1-4 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m.-noon.
If you have a scheduled meeting between noon and 1 p.m., please knock.

Meet our Staff

Quick Links