Ann’s thoughts

Over the years, Senior Career Counselor Ann Girarde has helped dozens of EMBA students and alums manage their careers. Here’s her advice on leveraging the EMBA to advance your career:

How to leverage an Executive MBA

Getting an EMBA is not a magical elixir—it’s important to understand how to combine your EMBA with your professional experience and past accomplishments. I help clients leverage the whole package by learning how to tell their story. It’s important to build on all of your strengths so that your EMBA is not just a degree on a resume.

The value of an EMBA in the current economy

Professionals who get an Executive MBA put themselves in a different, more elite arena. Making the decision to go back to school demonstrates that someone is willing to invest in themselves, and this makes them more capable and more desirable to potential employers. EMBA graduates know more about the bottom line, have a bigger picture and more insight.

Supporting EMBA students and alumni

Professionals who get an Executive MBA put themselves in a different, more elite arena. Making the decision to go back to school demonstrates that someone is willing to invest in themselves, and this makes them more capable and more desirable to potential employers. EMBA graduates know more about the bottom-line and have a bigger picture and more insight. In the current economic environment, you need to learn how to articulate your value proposition. And, professional networking skills are crucial. High salaried people can be more vulnerable in tough economic times. When changing jobs, a rule of thumb is that every $10,000 in annual salary can easily equal a month of job hunting. Thus, a transition is usually a lengthy and challenging set of tasks. I am available to help current EMBA students, as well as alumni, navigate the terrain, from beginning to end.

Here’s what EMBA alumni said about Ann:

“Through Career Services I found a valuable partner in identifying opportunities and marketing myself. And when the offer did come, I received additional support in the negotiating phase. I worked for Univar Europe, out of Paris, France, for three years, which exceeded my goals for compensation, excitement and progression on my career path. When I decided to return to the Northwest last spring, Ann once again worked with me in identifying the right position and negotiating the deal. I have been with CBRE since August 2008. Career Services was right there with me, every step of the way.”

– Michael Delcamp
Senior Account Manager
CB Richard Ellis
Class of 2004

“Ann creates an environment of trust.  Her experience and the solid EMBA alumni network that she introduced me to was invaluable in achieving my career objective. Ann played a pivotal role in assisting me with which firm and which position I should focus on, then near the end of the interview process, she helped me negotiate a package that not only allowed me to settle in a position that was a great fit.”

– Curt Kwak
Regional Director of IT Infrastructure Services
Providence Health & Services
Class of 2007