In light of a winter storm that forced the cancellation of Rutgers’ Winter Career and Internship Mega Fair, the Professional Science Master’s program organized a virtual special session on February 12th to provide students with valuable career advice over Zoom. Hosted by MBS Executive Coach Abbe Rosenthal, with special guest Melissa Davidi (and an appearance from MBS Assistant Professor Jay Goldring, PhD), the session provided practical guidance on leveraging the MBS degree as a powerful tool for differentiation, career advancement, and self-promotion.
More than just a degree
Rosenthal emphasized that the Master of Business and Science (MBS) degree is not just about obtaining another qualification but also an experience that blends the best of both worlds of business and science.
She advised, “Lead with your destination.” When introducing yourself, start by stating your career goal and academic concentration. This strategy is from Jodi Glickman, CEO and founder of GreatOnTheJob.com. See our previous article to learn how to lead with your destination!
Insights from HR manager Melissa Davidi
Rosenthal invited Davidi, HR manager at Vantage Specialty Chemicals and Rutgers alumna, to advise students on standing out to recruiters and interviewers. Some of her key insights include:
- Turn monologues into dialogues. Begin with a friendly greeting and a short statement about your interests. Rather than jumping straight into your rehearsed pitch, practice engaging in a natural conversation. Practice your pitch with your family and friends.
- Do your homework. Research the company and note down your questions. Don't be pressured to know everything about a company when approaching them. This is the chance for you to get to know them, too, so it’s okay to ask questions. A great question to ask would be, “What does success look like in this role?”
- Have a strategic plan for finding suitable roles. If you have a long-term, make sure to share it. If you are unclear about your career path, consider rotational programs or roles with broad exposure.
- Leverage LinkedIn effectively. Reach out to professionals for insights on their roles and companies, not job offers.
Mastering resume and interview language
Rosenthal and Davidi emphasized the importance of the right language in resumes and interviews.
- Resume tip: Always spell out “Master of Business and Science (MBS)” in full. Avoid informal variations like “master’s in business and science” as these might not be picked up by the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Interview tip: Use your resume as a guide, not a script. Explain the reasoning behind your career choices and the impact of your contributions.
Overcoming the fear of networking
Networking can be intimidating, especially for students who lack industry experience. Rosenthal encouraged students to shift this mindset. It is not about asking for favors but rather about learning about the role you want and building relationships with professionals.
Start by asking insightful questions. Instead of stressing about what you have to offer in a conversation, reframe it as an opportunity to learn more about a company or an industry. This can help make the experience more productive and enjoyable.
For those with limited experience, Rosenthal offered a simple yet effective tip: use your coursework to bridge the gap. Under the section “Relevant Coursework,” list the courses that can showcase your knowledge in the field and also the business courses that can help you stand out to employers.
Key takeaways from the session
- Differentiate yourself with the MBS degree in job applications and interviews.
- Craft a compelling personal narrative that best highlights your competitive edge in business and science.
- Practice and build confidence in your elevator pitch. Keep it concise, natural, and engaging.
- Refine your resume and interview strategy with impactful language.
- Be curious and ask insightful questions to turn monologues into dialogues.
- Leverage the MBS community: take advantage of advice from our executive coaches, alumni-student mentoring program, and more.
Whether you’re grinding for job applications, gearing up for networking events, or simply refining the draft of your elevator pitch, these strategies will help you make an impact with employers.
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