Career Adviser Spotlight: Mike Stevens

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business consistently ranks in the top-tier for its career services among MBA programs. On the Discover Darden MBA admissions blog, the Career Development Center‘s Mike Stevens, senior associate director of career education and advising, recently discussed the role of career advisers and how incoming MBA students can prepare for a successful career search before they start school.

What career advice would you give to an incoming student to help them prepare for their career search before they arrive at Darden?

Be open to all of the possibilities that may be out there and don’t be afraid to explore them. Take the time before arrival to think about the attributes of a future role that are really important to you and then research the types of roles that can deliver these attributes. Talk to others who are in these roles to better understand them and what it takes to be successful. There are so many different opportunities, I don’t think it’s good idea to be tied to one outcome before walking through the door at Darden.

What do think is one of the biggest strengths of Darden’s Career Development Center?

Many of our career advisors have spent a significant amount of time working in corporate America and have a great deal of industry experience. We understand the theory, but we also know first-hand what companies are looking for in job candidates. We have sat on the other side of the desk and have interviewed and hired candidates for the kinds of jobs Darden students are applying for. This insight helps us to better prepare students for their career search and interviews.

Read the full Q&A with Stevens on the Discover Darden blog.