Phase 1 — Exploration & Self-Assessment

As you begin the Cross Continent program and realize what it means to be a Duke MBA student, you will also begin a journey of self-discovery. This initial phase of the career development process builds a solid foundation to expand upon once you've established your MBA credentials.

Many incoming students do not have a clear vision of their career goals. Understanding your personality, motivations, reward values, and skills will help you develop a career plan. To gain insight on all these areas, you will complete detailed self-assessments during the first Cross Continent residency. Then you will be encouraged to develop your professional goals by researching industries and specific careers of interest to you. This will equip you to better market yourself later because you will know your strengths and will have a vision for your career.

Throughout the career development process, you will have access to online tools and resources including CareerLeader, WetFeet, and Vault. In addition, a variety of planning and development workshops, tutorials, and other events will be offered during Terms 1 and 2 in residency and during distance-learning periods including:

• CMC Overview Modules and Orientation: Learn about our Career Management Center (CMC), its services, and the MBA career landscape.
• Self-Assessment Workshop: CMC coaches walk you through your self-assessment report and help you to understand your results.
• Career Symposium: Panel discussions with alumni and corporate sponsors highlighting the broad spectrum of careers available. 
• Relationship Building: Effective relationship building, or networking, is an essential professional skill regardless of your career goals. Topics covered include building and managing your network, requesting information, and informational interviewing.
• Branding & Developing a Strategic Plan: Whether you plan to stay within your current organization or wish to make a change, you are encouraged to develop a strategic plan for branding and marketing yourself. Your plan will be reviewed by a CMC executive coach who will help you align your goals with effective actions.
• Professional Correspondence & Resume Development: Learn useful guidelines for creating a professional, vivid, and memorable cover letter and resume. Relevant for those seeking advancement within their organizations and those facing a career transition.

Phase 2 — Preparation

During this phase of the career development process, our Career Management Center staff provide guidance and counseling to help you take concrete steps to develop and/or expand upon opportunities within your organization or externally. Workshops include:

• Managing Your Career Within an Organization: Learn practical tips and strategies for communicating and maximizing the value of your MBA degree within your organization.
• Making a Career Transition: Explore methods for managing an effective career transition (whether internal or external). Discover a framework for developing and marketing your story, and learn how to appropriately position your pitch.
• Behavioral Interviewing: Three questions are asked during almost all job interviews, including ones for promotional opportunities within your current firm. We will discuss these questions and how to answer them.
  

Phase 3 — Implementation

Toward the end of your program, after completing Phases 1 and 2 of the career development process, you will be ready to execute your strategy toward achieving your next career goal.

For those making an external transition, you will have access to online job databases — both proprietary postings from Fuqua recruiters and third party databases. You may also have your resume included in Fuqua's Executive MBA Resume Book, which is a searchable database for recruiters. New this year, we are also offering Regional Resume Books, targeting 8 different areas of the world.

More specific and in-depth workshops are held during Terms 5 and 6, including:

• Advanced Networking Preparation: Learn what to expect at on-campus recruiting and networking events, and learn how to make a lasting impression.
• Advanced Interview Preparation: Practice and perfect your interviewing skills in a small group setting. 
• On-campus Corporate Presentations, Recruiting Events, and Career Fairs: While some of these events are geared toward Daytime MBA students, you may still find value in these networking opportunities and you are welcome to attend. These events provide an incredible opportunity to meet with recruiters — many of whom are Fuqua alumni — and build relationships with companies that may be of interest to you.
• Post-MBA Success: Cross Continent MBA alumni discuss how they have leveraged their MBA for long-term career success, both internally and externally.

Phase 4 — After Graduation

Beyond your graduation from the program, we will still be committed to your long-term professional success, and we will provide continued career support through technology, outreach, and individual assistance after you graduate. Services include:

• Alumni Resume Book
• Career coaching
• Database of global resources and opportunities
• Job postings database
• Online alumni networking database
• Online presentations

Before you complete the program, you will learn more about our alumni career services.