Part-Time & Online MBA Programs
Drop-In Career Coaching
Student Success and Career Advancement provides a variety of accessible resources to support students’ career development.
We offer weekly virtual drop-in hours where Part-Time students can connect with a member of our team for career guidance and tips for navigating their job search.
To view upcoming drop-in coaching sessions and to register, visit the Events Calendar.
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations can be a valuable way to continue advancing in your career while strengthening your leadership skills and expanding your industry network. The organizations below can support your growth and help you stay connected to trends and professionals in your field.
General MBA Organizations & Business Leadership
Adam Smith Society
Association of MBAs
American Management Association
Association for Strategic Planning
Net Impact
Toastmasters International
Alpha Kappa Psi
Beta Gamma Sigma
Consulting & Strategy
Institute of Management Consultants
Management Consulted
Finance & Investing
CFA Institute
CQF Institute
Financial Management Association
Association for Financial Professionals
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Entrepreneurs' Organization
Startup Grind
Global Entrepreneurship Network
Diversity & Identity-Based MBA Organizations
National Black MBA Association
Prospanica
Forte Foundation
Ascend Leadership
Reaching Out MBA
MBA Veterans Network
Career Pivots: Resources to Successfully Help You Make the Switch
Graduate students who successfully navigate career transitions are skilled at translating their past experiences into new contexts. A career pivot is not about starting over; it’s about reframing what you already know to build new skills and position yourself strategically for entering a different path.
Below are common pivot paths MBA students take as they reposition their backgrounds and focus on transferable skills toward new career goals.
|
Previous Background |
Common MBA Pivot To |
Key Actions That Enable This Pivot (areas to focus) |
|---|---|---|
| Military, Operations, or Logistics | Management Consulting / Strategy | Case prep, leadership storytelling, alumni networking, and internship experience |
| Engineering, Technical, or IT | Product Management / Tech Strategy | Product coursework, PM communities, startup, or tech internship |
| Accounting, Finance Support, or Admin | Corporate Finance / FP&A / Investment Roles | Financial modeling, resume repositioning, and applied finance coursework |
| Marketing, Sales, or Communications | Brand Strategy / Consulting / Product Marketing | Storytelling, case prep, resume reframing, networking |
| Corporate Role with Limited Growth | Strategy / Business Operations | MBA skill translation, internal strategy projects, and alumni guidance |
| Nonprofit, Education, or Healthcare | Program Strategy / Operations / Consulting | Skill reframing, impact organizations, and leadership positioning |
| Career Changers from Non-Business Fields | Consulting, Finance, Product, or Operations | Intentional skill-building, community engagement, and targeted networking |
Share Your Post-Graduation Success - First Destination Survey
As you approach graduation, you’ll be invited to share your post-graduation plans through our First Destination Survey. This survey helps us better understand the paths our graduates are taking and strengthens the overall value of your Pepperdine degree.
Current Students: In alignment with reporting standards set by the Career Services & Employer Alliance (CSEA), you will receive an email from the Student Success and Career Advancement team when it is time to complete the First Destination Survey.
Keep an eye on your Pepperdine email for instructions and timing. Outreach typically begins as graduation approaches and continues in the months following commencement.
Recent Graduates: If you have already graduated and would like to share or update your post-graduation outcome, you can access the First Destination Survey through 12Twenty.
If you have trouble locating the survey, please contact the Student Success and Career Advancement team at pgbs.ssca@pepperdine.edu