Career Readiness: Why Getting In an MBA program is Just the Start

When I asked an MBA alum friend what their biggest regret was, they paused, sighed deeply (MBA dramatic pause for effect), and said:

"I wish I had spent as much time preparing for my career post-MBA as I did preparing for the GMAT."

I nodded, reflecting on how I’ve often found myself staring at a blank Word document trying to craft the perfect introduction email to a stranger on LinkedIn. Somehow, that felt just as puzzling as solving those GMAT math problems about two trains leaving different stations at different speeds. Spoiler: Neither truly prepared me for the awkward silences in my first networking call.

But here’s the thing—no matter how well you prep for the GMAT or how many "Why MBA?" essays you craft, the real preparation starts as soon as you get an Admit. Because the MBA isn’t the destination—it’s the launchpad. And launching yourself into space without a navigation system (career readiness) isn’t exactly ideal.

You know how they say, "Give someone a fish, and they’ll eat for a day; teach them to fish, and they’ll eat for a lifetime"? Career readiness isn’t about catching one shiny fish (your first post-MBA job). It’s about knowing how to fish in any ocean—whether it’s consulting, product management, or an role you didn’t know existed (hello, AI ethics officer!). Yet, many of us treat career readiness like an optional side salad—nice to have, but not the main dish.

On campus, the recruiting buffet is well-organized: structured timelines, networking mixers, and corporate presentations with free sandwiches (and let’s be honest, you’ve definitely attended at least one event purely for the free food). But in the real world, that buffet turns into a chaotic food truck festival: no lines, no menus, and everyone is shouting, "Best momos in town!" You quickly realize that job search timelines are messy, success often comes from referrals instead of standardized portals, and, sadly, free sandwiches are no longer on offer. This chaotic reality catches many MBA students off guard because they rely solely on-campus recruiting strategies. But those strategies don’t prepare you for the unpredictable, relationship-driven chaos of real-world recruiting.

Self-Advocacy and Networking: The Underrated Career Skills

Networking—the crown jewel of MBA career readiness—can feel daunting, especially for Indian students. For many, it resembles an awkward family wedding where you’re introduced to distant relatives you’ve never seen before. The advice to “just go talk to them” feels as useful as your parents whispering, “Beta, bas namaste karke aa jana.”

Many students struggle to articulate their value, often underselling themselves during interviews or networking conversations. They assume their achievements will speak for themselves—but in competitive environments, that’s rarely the case.

Self-advocacy isn’t about bragging; it’s about confidently communicating your skills, achievements, and aspirations. Whether it’s in an interview, a coffee chat, or an alumni mixer, your ability to tell your story effectively can open doors that qualifications alone cannot.

Combine this cultural hesitation with the time crunch of an MBA program, and you get an even bigger issue: students practicing their networking skills in the wrong spaces. I’ve seen it countless times—a student aiming for consulting only attends high-stakes consulting mixers to practice their elevator pitch. But that’s like deciding to learn cycling during peak Bangalore traffic. It’s not the place to stumble and fall. Though, in all fairness, cycling in peak Bangalore traffic may actually be the best mode of transport.

Networking isn’t about perfection; it’s about preparation. The best approach is to start small, practice in low-pressure environments, and refine your pitch before stepping into those critical high-stakes conversations.

If you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will. And if you don’t prepare for networking, those career-defining conversations might pass you by.

Balancing Academic Rigor with Career Preparation

The MBA curriculum can be overwhelming—endless case studies, group projects, and back-to-back lectures can leave little time for career preparation. But here’s the truth: Learning is only a means to an end. If the primary objective of your MBA journey is to build or accelerate your career, then that objective needs to be prioritized.

Time is limited, yes—but the period between receiving your admit and attending your program is a golden window of opportunity. You can use this time to:

• Start refining your career goals.

• Build your networking skills.

• Understand industry trends and align your strengths with market needs

Balancing academics, networking, and career prep isn’t easy, but it’s essential. After all, you didn’t pursue an MBA just to ace classroom exams.

Peer Networks and Pressure: Cultural Adjustment and Defining Your Own Path

Another challenge is being surrounded by people who look, speak, and think like you—it’s comforting, but it can also perpetuate adopting their goals and aspirations without reflection. In an international MBA program, it’s natural to gravitate towards familiarity—people who understand your cultural references, laugh at the same jokes and make you feel at home. It’s like going on an international vacation and still looking for Dal Makhani and Tandoori Naan. Comforting? Yes. Expanding your horizons? Not so much.

But here’s the catch: If your social circle looks and thinks exactly like you, you might be missing out on one of the most valuable aspects of an international MBA—the diversity of perspectives and experiences. For example, at a top Canadian MBA school where I was coaching, I noticed a group of incredibly talented individuals struggling to land favourable career outcomes. Their aspirations, the way they spoke, their preparatory styles, and even their challenges were strikingly similar. It was as if they were mirrors of each other, repeating the same conversations and echoing the same struggles.

One day, during a coaching session, one of them candidly said, "There’s no unity amongst the Indian students here." To dig deeper, I asked, "When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with someone outside your immediate circle? Someone who doesn’t look or think like you?"

The silence that followed was telling!

The issue wasn’t their unity; it was the echo chamber they had unintentionally created. They weren’t tapping into the diversity of thought, background, and experience that their international peers brought to the table beyond the professional experiences.

Take another example of an introverted student who realized the power of cultural fluency. Every night, he’d spend time reading about Canadian history, major sports events, and local traditions. When he showed up to networking sessions or coffee chats, he had meaningful conversation starters that transcended transactional chit-chat. The result? Warm referrals after almost every coffee chat.

MBA is all about building cultural and professional fluency. These interactions give you valuable insights, expand your worldview, and prepare you for genuine, meaningful conversations during networking events. So reach out and build friendships with people who don’t think and look like you and if you are not comfortable making friends use that to your advantage just like this individual did.

But while your community of peers can empower you, they can also become echo chambers and subtly influence your choices. Many students think they’ll use the time at their MBA to figure out what they would like to do and expect the MBA program to hand them a laminated roadmap that says, "Step 1: Do this. Step 2: Get rich. Step 3: Retire early." Spoiler: That roadmap doesn’t exist.

An MBA isn’t a compass; it’s a toolkit. It won’t give you answers, but it will give you the tools to ask better questions. What excites you? What are your strengths? What kind of impact do you want to make?

Yet even these critical questions often get drowned out by the noise of peer pressure. Everyone’s applying to consulting, so you do too. Finance sounds prestigious, sure, I like excel? Product management seems fun, sure who doesn’t like working in a hoodie? But here’s the uncomfortable truth: other people’s goals aren’t your goals.

Chasing someone else’s dream will leave you unfulfilled, even if you succeed. Your MBA journey should reflect your aspirations, not just what looks good on paper or aligns with the most common paths.

Defining your path requires introspection, clarity, and the courage to make choices that might not align with the crowd. Whether it’s choosing the right peer group, embracing cultural diversity, or resisting the pressure to conform, the key lies in staying true to your goals while remaining open to growth.

The Uncertain Future of Work

We’re living in a time of rapid change. No one knows exactly how GenAI, automation, and emerging technologies will redefine industries and job roles. Will the future favor generalists or specialists? Will traditional roles still exist in five years? Even companies don’t know! And the result of this is seen in the increased shift of skills-based hiring as opposed to degree or credentials-based hiring. But here’s what we do know: Career transitions will become more frequent, and adaptability will be the defining skill of the future workforce.

Many MBA students prepare for existing roles without considering how their industries might evolve. But future-proofing your career isn’t about preparing for one job—it’s about developing the ability to pivot, upskill, and remain relevant in a changing world.

The key isn’t to predict the future—it’s to prepare for any future.

The Importance of Strategic Career Thinking

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "I’m at a top school, the name will carry me." But the law of averages always catches up. A strong school name might open the door, but career strategy keeps you in the room. In MBA classrooms, students spend hours analyzing Fortune 500 case studies, debating strategic pivots, predicting industry disruptions, and crafting compelling product strategies. Yet, when it comes to applying those same frameworks to their own careers—defining their value proposition, building their personal brand, and positioning themselves in a competitive landscape—they often fall short.

In a hyper-competitive world, your personal brand becomes your differentiator. How you position yourself, communicate your unique value proposition, and align your career goals with industry trends can determine how far you’ll go.

You need to ask yourself bigger questions:

• Who am I am? what do I stand for? and who do I want to be?

• What’s my purpose and where do I want to have an impact

• Am I excited about a deep impact or a wide impact? Think on a spectrum. Doctor vs. hospital vs. pharmaceutical company—all save lives!

• Does your career path align with your long-term values? and

• How can I build a personal brand that stands out in a crowded marketplace?

Strategic career thinking isn’t about landing the next shiny job title; it’s about preparing for the next decade. At its core, the MBA experience isn’t about landing one dream job—it’s about building a toolkit that enables you to land any dream job, anytime, anywhere. Career readiness is a life skill, not a checkbox

So here’s my advice: don’t view career prep as an afterthought. Don’t rely entirely on campus structures. Don’t stop at outcomes; focus on building transferable skills. Don’t borrow someone else’s goals—define your own. And most importantly, think long-term.

You’ll stumble, you’ll flub networking calls, and yes, you might even embarrass yourself in an interview. That’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress.

If you’re navigating your MBA journey and want to reframe your approach, let’s talk. Sometimes, the right mindset shift can make all the difference. And hey, if nothing else, we can swap GMAT horror stories over chai and pakoras.