Being confused in business school is a weird feeling.

You’ve written those essays — demonstrating passion, showing clarity of thought (everything admissions consultants, study abroad “influencers”, and well, the internet have told you to do). But when you’re actually sitting in Fuqua’s Ford Library, reading updates from the Career Management Center (CMC), and scrolling through job postings, you might not be 100% certain about your next steps.

I know I wasn’t.

Now, by absolutely no means do I have everything figured out. But, for now, I’m going to share what I’ve been doing to feel a little less all over the place.

Getting Started

I came into the MQM program with two goals: 1) work in marketing and 2) work for a startup.

But the exact role? I was lost. The industry? Everything seemed interesting. This made sending out applications and even scheduling coffee chats pretty tricky. Because obviously you don’t want to ask for 30 minutes and dilly-dally.

I began with some in-depth (and sometimes personal) conversations with ChatGPT. I shared what aspects of my previous job I enjoyed, what I hoped for in my next one, and very importantly, which subjects I was gravitating to in the MQM curriculum. For instance, I was interested in learning about how my programming and statistical analysis skills could be used for my Digital Marketing assignments.

After this reflection, I started going through job postings on LinkedIn. William, one of our career coaches, suggested I jot down the responsibilities I found most interesting. I soon realized that product marketing roles in early-stage startups could give me a good balance between marketing science and core strategy – and the flexibility to shape my role. (Text me on LinkedIn if you want to hear more!)

Getting Organized

At Fuqua, and especially in the MQM program, career “stuff” starts from Week 1. We’re given resources on connecting with alumni, building professional portfolios, and kickstarting our job search.

Specifically, for my portfolio, I’m trying to showcase the work I’ve done in my previous job and highlight projects that can be enhanced with the skills I’m learning in the MQM program. For example, I’m building the tools to use a LOT more data when it comes to creating ideal customer profiles.

I’m someone who likes talking things through – whether it’s a conversation I’ve had with alumni, sending the “perfect” outreach email, or a unique job posting. That’s why I’ve really appreciated the office hours our career coaches hold during lunch breaks. It’s super easy to stop by for a quick chat.

Building My Network

“Network” is a term you hear a LOT. I started out by using Fuqua’s directory to connect with alumni through email and on LinkedIn. Turns out, if you write “Fuqua MQM Student: Request to Connect”, you’re very likely to get a reply — the Fuqua brand goes a long way!

I met with an alumna, a recent Daytime MBA graduate, who suggested that at the end of every Zoom call or coffee chat, I ask that person to put me in touch with someone else. Soon, I was talking to a new person every week.

Through her, I was able to connect with Josh Cohen, director of MBA entrepreneurship and start-up recruiting. Together, we talked about refining my pitch/value proposition, looking at startup job sites, and building a brand on LinkedIn. (I cannot stress enough how important it is to post on LinkedIn!)

But throughout ALL this, I still have weekly sessions with Dr. Erickson-Ludwig, assistant dean for the MQM program. I walk in, sit on her couch, and walk her through what I’ve been up to. And honestly, I’m less stressed after talking to her.

Right now, I’m in my second term at Fuqua, and getting ready to send out my job applications. I’m nervous because it’s rough out there. But hey, you gotta start, right?