The Rutgers Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program started off the semester with an exciting event. On Wednesday, January 11th, we invited new MBS students to our office in the SERC building for orientation. 25 new students were welcomed by MBS faculty, staff, and alumni. Students who could not join us in person were welcomed via a virtual orientation the following night.
MBS executive coach (and professor of our foundational Communication and Leadership course) Kathleeen Cashman kicked off orientation, telling students, “You’re in the driver’s seat.”
Get Comfortable Getting Uncomfortable
Cashman broke students to break into groups of four or five, instructing them to find four things in common. Students then shared these commonalities with the rest of the class. These similarities included liking the same food or drink, sharing common hobbies, and where they have traveled.
The point of this exercise, said Cashman, is to find out where these commonalities can go. Cashman encouraged students to get comfortable getting uncomfortable and to find what they have in common with the people around them. This is an invaluable skill to have and can even be used during professional interviews.
I am an MBS Student
For the next exercise, students had 30 seconds to share statements about themselves starting with the phrase “I am.” It’s harder than it sounds! By doing this, said Cashman, you can define who you are, know where you are, and bring all of yourself to the conversation.
The MBS Journey
Knowing where you are is just the first step of the MBS journey. PSM Executive Director Dr. Deborah Silver posed the question to students, where do you want to go? What role do you want to hold in the future? At MBS, we combine job-focused coursework, experiential learning, and additional opportunities to help you achieve your career goals. Here are a few MBS components that we created to support our students:
- Designing Your Life (DYL). A cornerstone of the MBS education, executive coaches use DYL framework to guide students in identifying their ideal life and career and designing an individualized pathway to achieve this.
- Academic advising. We are here to support our students! Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to help you find your path through MBS.
- Individualized Development Plans (IDPs). As part of the DYL framework, students develop individualized journeys through MBS. These help students build their own pathways and develop skills to achieve their specific goals.
- Executive Coaching. Executive coaches provide one-on-one coaching and specialized workshops, using the DYL framework, to help students become—and remain—innovators and leaders.
- Alumni Mentors. We have an engaged alumni network—several alumni were involved with our virtual and in-person orientations! The Alumni-Student Mentoring Program is designed to offer guidance to MBS students throughout their graduate journey.
- Networking Opportunities. Helping students to build professional networks is a foundational element of MBS. This begins in Cashman’s Principles of Communication and Leadership class, where students interview professionals in their field. We offer further opportunities for networking through colloquiums, industry events, and meet-and-greets.
- Events. MBS offers students career-focused workshops, panels with industry leaders, Virtual Fridays to build professional networks, colloquiums, and more. We are thrilled to expand our in-person events this year!
- Externships . In this design-based experience, students apply classroom knowledge to solve real-world problems. Projects are completed in teams under the mentorship of an industry professional. UXD and Product Design students – externships are also a great way to build a portfolio.
- Internships. Students work with top companies, applying classroom knowledge to complete a professional or research project.
- Capstone. This project-based course serves as a culmination of skills learned throughout a student’s time in the PSM program, allowing students to combine their business and science thinking to identify a patented technology, determine a novel use, and create a comprehensive concept-to-market business plan.
Skill Determination
MBS executive coach Abbe Rosenthal explained the importance of skill determination. She encouraged students to determine what skills they need to achieve their career goals, asking whether or not they already hold them and how to acquire them. Of course, MBS has our students covered. We offer career exploration tools including alumni panels, colloquium events, and DYL workshops. We also encourage students to seek informational interviews and teach students how to dissect job posts.
Rosenthal led another exercise, instructing students to look up job postings, dissect skills needed, and discuss them with our alumni.
This year, our amazing alumni played a large role in orientation. They spoke about their own paths through MBS, answered questions from new students, and offered advice and expertise.
Writing Your Own Story
MBS will help students become who they want to be, said Cashman, although it might not always be a straightforward path. She advised students to put themselves in the middle of their journey to achieve their goals.
Throughout the night, Cashman teased exercises, information, and strategies from her course. Although the semester has yet to start, Cashman gave students homework: a challenge to meet one new person every week and to stay connected. “The more people you know,” said Cashman, “the better the journey.”
Cashman ended the night with a pun, asking students, “RU ready? RU in the right place?” Students responded with a resounding, “yes!”
Keep an eye out for some of these upcoming events: