Graduation is just weeks away and Tippie second-years are gearing up for the next stage in their careers. Strategic Management of Innovation student Adriane Downs shares her MBA job search experience and how she remained true to her passions.
Prior to business school, I was an engineer in the medical device industry. I focused my post-MBA goals on the medical device and healthcare industries, but kept my search open to considering multiple positions within those industries.
Once I had clear career goals in mind, I met regularly with Career Services, the Strategic Innovation academy director, alumni, and industry experts to seek advice on pursuing an MBA career in healthcare. I also utilized this network to practice and hone my interview stories and to maintain access to possible job opportunities that aligned with my goals.
As a student I did a number of mock interviews on campus and with alumni to improve my interview skills, stayed on top of job openings using our internal posting system, and attended several company exploration trips to Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago to learn about a broader range of businesses and industries.
I also went to multiple major career fairs including NSHMBA, NBMBAA, and the Midwest Career fair in Chicago. It was through the first-ever Midwest Career Fair that I was introduced to Zimmer and its Leadership Program.
After interviewing and determining the excellent fit with my goals, I was offered a job as an Associate Manager in the Leadership Program. I will rotate through Marketing, Operations, and Quality/Regulatory in three eight-month rotations.
I am most excited to work on products that improve patients’ quality of life and applying the skills I have learned through the MBA program to real business problems. I am also really looking forward to the variety of projects I will get to work on in the business segments rotations.
I encourage future Tippie MBAs to spend time early on in the search assessing your interests, strengths, and crafting stories to support your fit within your dream companies. Then, be persistent in your search and you will find a good fit. Your preparation will pay off in confidence when you land the real interview. It also allows you to showcase your genuine personality and skills instead of stretching your experiences to match a job that doesn’t fit.
