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Military & Veteran Students:
MODULE 2: CLARIFYING & TESTING
Networking, Connecting at Carlson, & Experiential Learning
MODULE 2: CLARIFYING & TESTING
Networking, Connecting at Carlson, & Experiential Learning
A vital aspect of the career development process is to gain deeper understanding of the work that interests you. In this section you will:
Seek connections with peers and alumni who can help you learn about functions, industries and companies of interest.
Clarify your career trajectory.
Identify opportunities to gain experience in a functional area.
STEP 1: Network in areas of interest and crowdsource career insights
STEP 1: Network in areas of interest and crowdsource career insights
We frequently hear from successful military students that they gain valuable insights from connecting with Carlson peers and alumni who also have military backgrounds: people who have gone through the same process. Networking is a great way to start exploring work that interests you and refine your communication and rapport-building skills.
QUICK INTRO / ELEVATOR PITCH: Your 40-second introduction, or positioning statement, is commonly used at networking events, socials or corporate receptions. The pitch is used to quickly and succinctly introduce yourself and highlight your professional brand. Learn more about crafting yours by watching this short Breaking Down Your Elevator Pitch video.
General Networking Resources:
General Networking Resources:
Check out the Networking section (starts on page 22) for tips on whom to contact, how to set a meeting, sample correspondence, updating LinkedIn and more.
View the full list of CBCC networking resources here.
Step 2: Connect with current veteran students at Carlson
Step 2: Connect with current veteran students at Carlson
PEER CONNECTIONS: Reach out to Military Vets at CSOM to introduce yourself and set up 1-2 informal, 30-minute chats with other veteran students at Carlson.
LINKEDIN: Carlson School Military Network LinkedIn Group - request to join!
INFO SESSIONS: Attend company and functional info sessions sponsored by the CBCC (view upcoming sessions on Handshake > Events). More information available on the Exploring page.
The Military Veterans at CSOM student club seeks to connect current, former and prospective Carlson students in order to promote professional advancement, to connect with prospective students, and to overcome common challenges faced by veterans. Reach out to csomvet@umn.edu to learn more and connect with current students and alumni.(Image courtesy of Kevin Bubolz MBA '21)
Step 3. Choose courses and activities to support your career journey
Step 3. Choose courses and activities to support your career journey
COURSEWORK & CONNECTING WITH FACULTY: The Carlson curriculum is designed to help students explore the core topics of their chosen program. Reflect on which courses feel most energizing, which discussions you love (or loathe), and which projects feel like work you might enjoy. Your first classes will be scheduled for you, but be ready to add the ones you really like to your grounding document! Get to know members of the Carlson Faculty & Research community.
Teaching Assistant, Graduate Assistant, and Research Assistant positions are another great opportunity for building experience in a field of interest. These positions are most often available to students after they complete core classes - connect with your faculty to learn more.EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: Carlson students tackle real business problems in coursework, building experience that helps clarify a career journey and also set them apart from other job applicants. The MBA Enterprises and MS-SCCM capstone projects, case competitions and a host of other programs provide resume-building opportunities to try out what you’ve learned while working with a team in a realistic scenario.
Check out the examples below, and connect with your Career Coach to identify additional experiential opportunities. We recommend aiming for one experience per semester to build your skills and resume.
General
General
Microinternships with Parker Dewey
Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative (SPARC)
Student Leadership Council / MBA Association
Finance or Marketing
Finance or Marketing
Look for short-term projects on Parker Dewey
Reach out to organizations in your network who could use financial analysis or marketing help
Request to do a stretch project with current organization to support your course learning
Gopher Angels internship (part time)
Product or Project Management
Product or Project Management
New Product Development Class
Twin Cities Knowledge Management Forum
Consulting
Consulting
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship; sign up for their weekly emails and watch for opportunities to connect with local companies
MIN Corps Fellows: evaluate business ideas and make plans to commercialize technologies or innovations
Minne Inno Startups; sign up for their weekly emails
Developing New Ventures course ENTR 6021 (fall)
Implementing New Product Design course ENTR 6041 (fall) and ENTR 6042 (spring)
Connect with Twin Cities Start Up Week
Create a side business
Healthcare
Healthcare
MILI Courses:
MILI 6995: Medical Industry Valuation Laboratory
MILI 6997: MILI Global Valuation Lab
MILI 6998: MILI Fellows Program
Talk with your Academic Advisor about opportunities to gain practical experience by enrolling in an Enterprise.*
Requires meetings during the day (usually Tuesday and Thursday).
Other Resources:
Women in Innovation - Extensive lists of companies hiring as well as a place to volunteer/provide advice to others.
Subscribe to MinneInno to keep in the loop on the start up space. You can always connect with start ups to offer free help.
Clubs and Campus Organizations: In addition to a Military Veterans of the Carlson School of Management student club, students have access to lead and participate in events organized by a wide variety of graduate-level student organizations ranging from student government to art appreciation and career-focused groups. These are excellent resume-builders for students looking to develop leadership skills and those who seek a career change. MBA Student Organizations - Scroll through the list of Full and Part-Time organizations
CONTRACT COACHES: Find more information about our contract coaches then set up an appointment on Handshake. These are people with a wide variety of industry experiences who can answer your industry and functional questions as well as help you prepare for job and internship interviews.
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