Career development is an evolving process. At the Career Management Center (CMC), we provide individualized services and will advise students through the following steps:
Orientation to CMC Services
In the first two weeks at the Cheung Kong MBA Program, the CMC will make a presentation to introduce CMC staff and services, the CMC activity calendar for the year, a summary of MBA placement in previous year, and recent trends in the MBA job market. Through this orientation, students will have a picture of what to expect during the next 17 months.
Step 1: Knowing Yourself—First step in Career Development
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." ~ Lao-Tzu
Self-Assessment
In these changing times, making the right plans for the future can be difficult. A self assessment can give students choices and broaden their options, and helps them select the right career path.
The Cheung Kong MBA CMC introduces students to CareerLeader© , a leading self-assessment tool that is used by top business schools to help students discover and understand better their core business interests, work values and abilities.
Based on the assessment results and one-on-one counseling with CMC staff, students will formulate down their initial career goal, including their desired industry and job function.
One-on-one Career Counseling
Benefiting from the small class size, CMC staff are able to provide individual career counseling throughout the whole MBA study period.
MBA participants can book time with CMC staff members and discuss various career issues such as career goal setting, career planning, job search strategy, and decision making, and so on. The role of the CMC staff is to help students further understand themselves, and to try to establish a career vision, not just to look for the next job.
Step 2: Knowing the Job Market
Industry Info Sessions
After MBA participants have completed their self-assessment, they begin the career planning process.
By inviting professional practitioners from various industries and various functions, CMC and MBA Student Clubs will co-host a series of industry information sessions. The sessions aim to provide MBA students with in-depth knowledge of different industry sectors, and a chance to learn about the career histories of the speakers.
The industry info sessions will last about one month, covering multiple sectors, including manufacturing, consumer goods, retail, telecom, pharmaceutical, commercial banking, venture capital, consulting and more.
Seminar on the Job Market
Outside consultants from top human resources consulting firms will explain the latest MBA job market trends and provide salary overviews.
Step 3: Equipping with Career Tools
CV Workshops
When students start to form their own career goals, it is time for them to write a CV. CMC will hold workshops on resume writing, and provide "resume clinic" sessions.
Interview Workshops
Next, students need to get prepared for job interviews. How do you demonstrate that you are the right candidate in just half an hour, or even three minutes? The workshop will focus on practical interview skills, tips, and dos and don'ts.
Mock Interviews
Practice makes perfect. CMC will arrange interview simulations for various MBA "hot" functions such as banking, consulting, marketing management, supply chain management and so on. The mock interviewers are experienced HR or line managers from potential MBA recruiting companies.
CMC staff members are also available for mock interviews. MBA participants can reserve tine slots with CMC staff members.
Case Interviews
Senior consultants from top-tier consulting firms will conduct a workshop on how to effectively prepare for case interviews.
Step 4: Meeting MBA recruiters
Through resume books, company visits, presentations and job fairs, CMC brings potential recruiters and students together.
The CMC will officially launch the recruiting season in the second half of the MBA study program. Companies can choose to order a CV Book, make an on-campus presentation, attend the Job Fair, post a job online (through the online job posting system) and conduct interviews on campus.
The CMC also facilitates company field visits. An on-site visit gives students' a real feel for the potential recruiter's company.
Each MBA participant will have access to the MBA Students On-line Job Application Platform to submit job applications.
Once a student is invited for a job interview, they are on the way to their new career. Job searching is a self-learning process, it is tough and time consuming but ultimately rewarding. While we have firm faith in each student’s career choice, we also encourage them to enjoy the opportunities for exploration that job searching offers. CMC staff will be there all along the way.