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Ann's Thoughts
Over the years, Senior Career Counselor Ann Girarde has helped dozens of EMBA students and alums manage their careers. Here's her advice on leveraging the EMBA to advance your career:
How to leverage an Executive MBA
Getting an EMBA is not a magical elixir—it’s important to understand how to combine your EMBA with your professional experience and past accomplishment. I help clients leverage the whole package by learning how to tell their story. It’s important to build on all of your strengths so that your EMBA is not just a degree on a resume.
The value of an EMBA is the current economy
Professionals who get an Executive MBA put themselves in a different, more elite arena. Making the decision to go back to school demonstrates that someone is willing to invest in themselves, and this makes them more capable and more desirable to potential employers. EMBA graduates know more about the bottom line, have a bigger picture and more insight.
Supporting EMBA students and alumni
Most people don't understand the process—my end goal is to make them as independent as possible so they will always have skills and knowledge about themselves and the direction of careers. It’s important to begin the process of making career decisions or re-evaluating your goals before you graduate. We use a very strategic approach and usually begin meeting with students during the second year, unless something happens, such as a layoff. In the current economic environment, you need to learn how to navigate the value proposition. High salaried people are more vulnerable. The rule of thumb is that for every $10,000 of salary a month is equal to a month of job hunting. I am available to help current EMBA students as well as alumni.