On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Master of Business and Science (MBS) community came together virtually for another Virtual Friday event of the semester. Co-hosted by Abbe Rosenthal, MBS Assistant Director and Executive Coach, and Brenda Rodriguez, Student Success and Engagement Specialist, the session welcomed both new and returning students, introduced them to MBS resources, and set the tone for a supportive, engaging academic journey ahead.
The session kicked off with an icebreaker led by Abbe, who asked students in the chat: “What colour of the rainbow resonates with you today?” Students also heard from alumna Shefali Singh, MBS’25, who reflected on her journey in the program and shared encouragement for those just beginning theirs.
As Rosenthal reminded students, “Communicating early on is the key.” The MBS degree program is more than academics; it’s a community you can lean on for support. The MBS team is here to support you throughout your journey, so it’s important to communicate early on if you’re facing challenges, said Rosenthal.
Rosenthal and Rodriguez offered practical advice to help students stay organized and make the most of their time in the program:
- Connect with Your Academic Advisor
Your advisor will help you select courses, align them with career goals, and see the bigger picture. “Your academic advisor is your partner throughout your MBS journey,” said Rodriguez. You can easily make an appointment with your advisor on our website. - Stay on Top of Communications
Regularly check your Rutgers email, Canvas announcements, and the MBS Events page for updates on workshops, scholarships, and networking opportunities. - Explore Funding Opportunities
GradFund helps identify and apply for external scholarships. The MBS degree program also offers the MBS Fellowship. This fellowship is available to current MBS students who fulfil certain criteria, listed on our webpage. - Take Advantage of Academic & Personal Support
The Learning Centers offer graduate writing assistance, tutoring, and accountability groups. Graduate workshops and mental health resources are also available to support both academic growth and personal well-being.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The MBS degree emphasizes experiential learning and career development through externships, internships, and professional tools:
- Externship Program
The Rutgers MBS Externship Exchange gives students the opportunity to work on real projects alongside company mentors, gaining guidance at every step while applying classroom learning to real-world challenges. Externships strengthen teamwork, project management, leadership skills, and provide an opportunity to see how business and science connect in practice. Read about a recent externship project with a digital marketing agency, NetElixir. - Internships
Students can complete internal or external internships for credit (0.5–3 credits), which may count toward a business or science elective. - Career Tools
As an MBS student, you have access to LinkedIn Learning, professional workshops and networking events, and Jobscan, a resume-matching tool that helps students stand out in the job market. For international students, we are also introducing a new resource to find CPT/OPT/H1B internships and jobs. Stay tuned for more information!
Building Skills and Networks
Beyond coursework, students can strengthen leadership and broaden their professional networks through:
- Executive Coaching – Learn negotiation skills, conflict management, and leadership strategies from certified coaches.
- Colloquium Requirement – Students complete 12 colloquium points before graduation through MBS-hosted panels, industry conferences, or networking events. Our alumni continually tell us how valuable our colloquia and events have been.
- Designing Your Life (DYL) – This is a structured framework to explore career pathways and plan future goals. Rosenthal hosts DYL workshops to help you apply design thinking principles for career and life design.
- Alumni-Student Mentoring Program – This program connects students with alumni mentors for career guidance and support.
Rosenthal closed the session with a reminder that resonates across both personal and professional journeys: “It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.”
The Virtual Friday reinforced what makes the MBS degree program unique: a balance of academic rigor, professional development, and a strong, supportive community that helps students succeed at every stage of their journey.
Students have much to look forward to this semester. We have a host of exciting events coming up, so for a full list, visit our events page. Follow us on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with MBS news.
