Connecting and networking with others is the foundation to gaining a deeper understanding of the types of roles and industries of interest to MBAs.
As you have career conversations with alumni, peers, and others you will gain insight into what is important to you in a role, a company, and a mission/cause and how that aligns with your vision of meaningful and rewarding work.
Getting Started
These resources will help you get organized for effective use of your time with connections and potential employers.
- Clarifying Your Networking Goals
- Review Career Conversations in the Career Labs
- Sample Networking Questions
- Networking and Application Tracker
Identifying your Network
Connecting with current students and alumni is one of the best ways to gather information during your search. We recommend tapping into your Haas network early and often by connecting with current and former students in all programs.
Current Students: EWMBA, FTMBA, and EMBA
- Online Haas Student Directory – Searchable by company, industry, and function
- Campus Groups – Find industry-specific clubs at Haas that align with your interests
- Student Networking Lists – Links to spreadsheets indicating where students worked prior to Haas, while at Haas, for their summer internships, and after Haas
- Reciprocity with other business schools – We have reciprocity agreements with peer schools such as UCLA, Stern, Columbia, Chicago Booth, Wharton, UT Austin, and Harvard, amongst others. Visits need to be made in person. Please contact us for more information. Reciprocity is suspended for Fall 2020.
Alumni
- Email Tips for Networking with Alumni
- @Cal Alumni Directory – Directory of all Cal Alumni; great for finding direct contact information
- Three Steps to Connect with your Berkeley Haas Community – Quick cheat sheet on how to leverage @Cal Alumni Directory and LinkedIn to contact and connect with alumni
- Berkeley Haas Alumni groups on LinkedIn – Haas Alumni groups help you connect with thousands of Haas Alumni, affinity groups, and Alumni Chapters all over the world
Networking on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool. Learn more about how to update your LinkedIn profile, tap into all your networks, and do some research to support your job search.
Virtual Conferences and Networking Events
These resources will help you get organized and make the most of attending a virtual conference or networking event.
- Preparing for a Virtual Conference (4m31s)
- Managing Yourself During a Virtual Conference (6m09s)
- Followup after a Networking Event or Conference (4m48s)
- Virtual Networking Tips
Additional Resources
- Video Interviewing Checklist – Tips and recommendations on how to virtually present yourself in a professional manner
- From-Here-to-There – Framework for introducing yourself and opening a career conversation; includes a worksheet and examples
- Networking and Application Tracker
Diversity Conferences
- Diversity Conferences Meetup 09/03/2020 – Watch the recording from our MeetUp to learn about the benefits of attending NBMBAA, Prospanica, MBA Veteran’s Conference, and ROMBA.
- Virtual Diversity Conference Preparation & Strategy 9.16.20 Recording (56m53s) – Best practices for preparation, attendance, and follow up after the virtual diversity conferences.
Where to Network
Conferences and professional associations are a great place to start networking.
- Check out our Diversity Resources Page for identity-specific professional associations and conferences
- Haas Industry & Affinity Groups on LinkedIn
- Haas Alumni Slack Workspace
- Forté Foundation
- MeetUp.com – a resource for finding local people with similar interests who regularly meet about a topic
- Net Impact