The McCombs Feature
Texas MBAs Hit the Road
The sea of gray, navy and pinstripe was vast. Newly polished shoes reflected their enthusiasm and interest. Equipped with institutional knowledge, recent trends and future projections, more than a third of the Class of 2009 embarked on networking and information-gathering treks this fall.
With a portfolio of interests ranging from finance to marketing to technology and beyond, Texas MBAs spent time learning about finance and investment banking in Houston and New York, sought advice from consultants in Dallas and explored a variety of industries on the multi-functional trek to San Francisco.
Visits to companies included presentations by company leaders, multi-discipline panels, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions and networking receptions. These formats not only allowed students to ask questions and familiarize themselves with job functions and industries but gave companies an opportunity to uncover and rediscover the unique attributes of Texas MBAs.
Although industry focus differentiated one trek from another, a common thread woven throughout was the number of alumni eager to share their knowledge and experiences with current students. As one student commented, “it’s great to see so many alumni come out and participate.”
With the fall treks a not too far memory, planning has already begun to make 2008 bigger and better. If you are interested in learning how you can participate and showcase your company’s assets, please contact Cynthia Williams at cynthia.williams@mccombs.utexas.edu or 512-232-3670. For a complete list of 2007 participants, please click here.
In The Spotlight
Greetings from the Working Professional MBA Career Services Team!
Many thanks to all of you who have worked with the Texas MBA Working Professional students through attendance at the September Meet & Greet events in Houston and Dallas, ENHANCE, on-campus recruiting, and/or other special events.
In case you are not familiar with this student population at The University of Texas McCombs School of Business, the Austin, Dallas and Houston Working Professional MBA programs include 267 graduating students. Approximately 150 Working Professional students participated in the on-campus recruiting process this fall and many others are conducting non-campus self-directed employment searches. With a 2008 class average GMAT of approximately 656, an average six years of work experience, undergraduate GPA of 3.4, and ability to juggle work/family/school priorities, we encourage you to consider these students as an important source in your targeted recruiting efforts.
Looking ahead, an additional 242 students are in the 2009 graduating class. These students are eager to participate in ENHANCE projects this summer, as a substitute for the traditional internship experience. ENHANCE involves teams of three to seven MBA students selecting a company project, working on a pressing business issue and presenting their findings to company executives at the end of the eight-week program. With no cost to sponsor a project, employers receive the dedicated work of Texas MBAs and the opportunity to further their relationship with the school and students.
In addition to ENHANCE, listed below are primary avenues to connect with the Working Professional MBAs. Please drop us an email at
TexasMBACareerServices@mccombs.utexas.edu if you’d like more information or to register for an event.
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Meet & Greet events – September
- Mock Interview days – July/August
- Case Interview Challenge - August
- Resume Books
- Executive Speaker Series
- After-hours event or local office visit
Whether you wish to connect with graduating students or future graduates, we look forward to your involvement with this ambitious group of Texas MBAs. As you proceed through the 2007-2008 recruiting process, develop a project need (ENHANCE), or want to establish a stronger relationship for future recruiting years, please feel encouraged to connect with our students and the Working Professional MBA Career Services team. We look forward to a sustained partnership over many years.
Career Services News
Two New Additions Complete Team
Career Services (CS) is pleased to announce the addition of two new Assistant Directors, Michelle Hardy and Michael Katz. Both Michelle and Michael were hired to advise, coach, teach and train Texas MBAs. The biographies below will give you a glimpse into their backgrounds.
Michelle began her career in the Air Force as a finance officer at Los Angeles Air Force Base. She then accepted an Assistant Professor position at the University of Washington, where she taught and conducted leadership training for Air Force cadets. For her last assignment in the Air Force, she was the Financial Services Officer for the 37th Comptroller Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where she managed a team of 60 and advised senior leadership on finance matters. Michelle has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Trinity University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle.
Michael joins us from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Management. At Goizueta, Michael studied the link between the product market strategies and labor market strategies of new firms. Additionally, he also taught an undergraduate course in strategic management. Prior to enrolling in graduate school, Michael worked in management consulting, where he addressed strategic issues faced by financial services firms. He entered consulting upon graduating from New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.
Michael’s unique experience in academia and business will be a great asset to our students.
Survey Says!
Last month you had an opportunity to provide feedback regarding your experience recruiting Texas MBAs. The results are being analyzed and will be used to institute change and process improvement. In the meantime, we would like to share with you one of the ways we are improving the competitiveness of our students.
Prior to administering the survey, we had received anecdotal information from recruiters about the effectiveness of our students during the recruitment process. This past fall we used this information to help create and facilitate our inaugural Strategic Career Planning course (BA 181)….a one credit mandatory class for all entering students. Designed to improve the preparedness of our students, the BA 181 curriculum focused on self-assessment, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, company research and interview preparation.
Things To Remember...
Employment Offers
After several rounds of interviews, you have found the perfect candidate for your position….someone that has the skills and experience and will fit nicely into the corporate culture. You’re in the process of making the candidate an offer and are unsure of the offer policy governed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
In accordance with NACE guidelines, students should be given a minimum of three weeks to consider any (i.e. full-time or internship) employment offer without offer consequence. The date posted on the written offer starts the offer window.
Full-Time Offers
All offers must remain open for a minimum of three weeks after the date of offer. Offers made after an internship, or made during Fall recruiting (September – November), must remain open until the late of December 1st, or there weeks after the date of offer.
Internship Offers
Offers must remain open for a minimum of three weeks after the date of offer.
Curious Minds
It is our pleasure to bring you up-to-date and relevant information regarding Career Services and Texas MBAs. If there is a subject that you would be interested in seeing in this newsletter, please Cynthia Williams at
cynthia.willliams@mccombs.utexas.edu.
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