M.S. Career Advisory Board

Connect with experienced professionals who can help you expand your network, deepen your industry knowledge and turn your M.S. experience into momentum toward your career goals.

Turn new knowledge into career momentum.

Pursuing an M.S. degree can open new possibilities for where your career goes next. Whether you’re building the skills to advance in your current field or preparing to take your career in a new direction, the M.S. Career Advisory Board connects you with professionals who can offer relevant perspective along the way. 

Through regular one-on-one conversations, you can expand your professional network, deepen your understanding of industries and roles and gain practical insight into the opportunities you’re considering. Your mentor can help you connect what you’re learning at SMU Cox with the professional landscape ahead — giving you another perspective as you make decisions about your next move. 

Is the M.S. Career Advisory Board right for you?

The M.S. Career Advisory Board is designed for SMU Cox students pursuing a Specialized Master’s degree who want to expand their professional network and gain greater insight into the industries, roles and opportunities connected to their career goals. 

The program may be a good fit if you want to explore how new skills could help you take on greater responsibility, gain insight that can help you advance within your current field, learn more about an industry or career path you’re considering, navigate a career pivot with greater context and confidence or connect with professionals whose experience can offer new perspective on your path forward. 

 

At a Glance

Who can participate: Eligible incoming Cox M.S. students

Program length: August - May

Mentor meetings: 30 minutes each month, virtually or in person

Student commitment: Summer Career Kickstart course, signed participation agreement, monthly mentor meetings and in-person program events

Program events: Once per semester

Make the most of your mentorship

A successful mentoring relationship depends on active participation from both the mentor and the student. Your advisor can bring valuable experience, perspective and industry insight to the relationship, but you will get the most from the experience by taking ownership of your conversations and connecting them to your goals. 

  • Come prepared. Mentors and mentees receive suggested monthly topics and resources to help guide conversations throughout the program. 
  • Take the lead. Plan to initiate and lead a 30-minute conversation with your mentor each month, whether you meet virtually or in person. 
  • Be specific about your goals. Use the relationship to explore the roles, industries, companies and career questions most relevant to your professional interests. 
  • Build your network thoughtfully. Approach mentorship as an opportunity to develop a meaningful professional relationship, not simply as a source of job leads or introductions. 

 

Ready to find your mentor?

Your M.S. experience gives you specialized knowledge. Mentorship can help you understand how that new knowledge connects to the professional world. Through the M.S. Career Advisory Board, you can learn from experienced professionals, broaden your network and gain relevant perspective as you prepare for what comes next. 

Participation is coordinated through the M.S. career experience. Complete the Summer Career Kickstart course and required program agreement to be considered for the upcoming cycle. 

Questions? Contact Rhea Horton at rdhorton@smu.edu. 

 

Become A Mentor

If you’re interested in mentoring Specialized Master’s students, the SMU Cox M.S. Career Advisory Board is currently seeking SMU and Cox School alumni with 1+ years of professional experience to dedicate three hours a semester to mentorship. While business experience is preferred, mentors are not required to hold a B.B.A., Specialized Master’s or MBA degree for consideration. No previous mentoring experience is required. Interested in mentoring at a different degree level? We also offer mentoring programs for our B.B.A. and MBA students.

Become a M.S. Mentor
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