Careers
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER
by Sarah Jackson & Nita Lad HOW TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL CAREER TRANSITION
M artina Lubrano di Ricco had already moved from wet lab research after her PhD to business development at a biotech company and enrolled on a MBA to learn ‘hard’ skills such as finance and accounting, and ‘soft’ skills such as leadership and innovation. That led to her making another career transition into venture capital. “It was a real jump in the dark and I was lucky that I liked it, but it would have been okay if I did not,” says Martina. “It would have been a learning experience.”
The CareersPlus and Employer Relations coaching team focus on helping our MBA candidates thrive
and it can be useful to ask people about their paths.” Martina found the support of the careers service invaluable, especially the sessions on understanding her values and developing a personal brand. “As a scientist, I tend to focus on tangible things and often overlook my personal drivers. It was a great learning experience to look inside myself and understand what motivates me to thrive. “One thing I have learned is that, when transitioning, the initial months are critical for confidence development, so choose the people you will be working with as well as the role. You are going to spend a lot of time with them and they can make a difference in whether you succeed or not.”
W hen taking a different career path, venturing into the unknown can be daunting. Whether you want more meaningful work, or have a particular sector and role in mind, it is essential to identify a clear route to success. Think about how you can job-craft by proactively changing your tasks, interactions, and relationships at work, in your extra-curricular activities, and within the wider community. Here are some of our top tips, based on feedback from students, on how to approach a career transition. Networking is key Networking can intimidate even the most extroverted individuals. Selling yourself in this environment can be difficult, but there are some simple steps that can help. Reframe your self-introduction with phrases like ‘I'm exploring’, ‘I'm fascinated’, or 'I'm interested' to encourage a positive response. Remember, people may recommend other contacts and share insights about job details and company culture with you, but they can also become a future mentor or advocate for you.
Leverage your studies Integrate your MBA studies into your career planning. For example, you can use your project and dissertation work as opportunities to network. Identifying industry-specific challenges can lead to excellent research topics. It’s a way to showcase your passion for a different sector and determine if it’s the right fit for you. Utilise coaching and mentoring Coaching and mentoring can help build authentic relationships that boost curiosity and proactive behaviour. They can also address concerns about social, academic, and professional development without judgement, fostering resilience in the face of new challenges. Exploring your motivations Participating in career workshops can help you understand your core values and strengths, providing insight into your motivations and potential work culture fit. The goal is to help you find a job that you love. Be curious. Be humble Adopt curiosity, humility, and a hunger for learning. Approach every conversation with the intention to learn something new. Listen actively and show your interest in others.
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. In new roles or sectors, be humble and eager to learn from others across the organisation. Be prepared to work hard Job searching is challenging, especially when transitioning industries or professions. Dedicate time to research, connect with professionals, and practise for interviews. Embrace both opportunities and rejections as chances to grow personally and professionally. Learn from feedback and persevere.
“Many of us have completed a career transition nowadays “I would suggest talking with a lot of people. Listen to their stories”
Martina Lubrano di Ricco Delin Ventures Executive MBA London 2022
D anilo Puliafito used his MBA to transition from a general manager in a sustainable fitness start-up to a financial analyst for Deloitte Consulting in the UK. “As I became more involved in management and leadership, my interest in finance and accounting grew,” says Danilo. “At the same time, I felt like I had reached a ceiling in the health and wellbeing industry that I couldn’t break through. I wasn’t sure what my next step would be, but I knew pursuing an MBA was the logical move.” Conscious that he had a less conventional background, Danilo began broadening his business knowledge and studied finance independently, completing the “Breaking into finance or consulting without an MBA would have been challenging”
investment management certificate before starting his MBA. “Many industries tend to favour candidates with backgrounds in engineering, economics, or STEM fields. To overcome this, I cultivated a strong sense of curiosity.” Danilo completed a six-month consulting project as part of his MBA and adopted a proactive approach to networking with clients at the gym who worked in finance, and consulted those contacts before interviews. “Networking doesn’t necessarily give you a job, but it provides a better understanding of the industry,” he says. “Working with the career services team was a game-changer. They gave me confidence and guidance, helping me to prepare my CV, practise interview responses and articulate what I could offer to the job market.”
Danilo Puliafito Deloitte Consulting Global MBA 2022
Learn more about careers support and advice for MBAs at Warwick Business School.
Warwick Business School | wbs.ac.uk
wbs.ac.uk | Warwick Business School
54
55
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog