Career Development Centre

Helping you find and prepare for a role post-MBA that suits your skill set and meets your career aspirations.

Making a career change is one of the most commonly cited reasons for pursuing an MBA. Some of our students change career paths, companies, industries and continents.

However, MBA graduates face demanding expectations and tough competition. You will need to put some considerable time into your job search, think carefully about how to market yourself to future employers and have realistic career expectations in mind. 

Recruitment

Oxford’s longstanding academic pedigree, combined with our strengths in finance, strategy and global industries make Saïd Business School an attractive recruiting ground for MBA employers. MBA employers visit the school throughout the year for corporate presentations and workshops, in order to recruit students for their MBA programmes, both internships and full-time roles. 

Expert guidance

You will have access to an expert group of Careers Advisors and Industry Advisors who have extensive experience of working for leading firms across a range of sectors. They will offer you insights and pragmatic advice for those looking to work across a range of industries including management consulting, finance, high-tech, social impact, and other global industries.

Talent development

Saïd Business School's Talent Development Programme was launched in 2014, further expanding the School’s Careers Centre offering. Through a series of workshops and events, the programme provides personal and professional skill development and insight. 

Data, analytics and digital marketing pathway

The data, analytics and digital marketing pathway is a bespoke learning journey designed to equip students with the core digital skills needed in today’s data-driven world.
The main part of this is done through our exclusive partnership with General Assembly (GA) – we are the only business school in the world to offer access to their entire suite of expert online content, and it’s open to ALL students. In partnership with GA and our Marketing faculty, we curate a bespoke learning journey designed around the latest methods and technology. We also build in practical workshops hosted on campus throughout the year to build on the online content and give you the chance to learn by doing.

Summer options

During July and August, you can take up extra electives for credit, however, some students take up internships. As an intern, you can develop knowledge and competencies related directly to your career goal and potentially secure a full-time job offer. As an MBA student, you are able to undertake a summer internship for credit towards your MBA.   

Alternatively you can take up a six-week Strategic Consulting Project in a team of three to five, for a corporate sponsor. Teams have worked with a wide range of companies, charities, non profits and start-ups. This can be extremely beneficial to anyone looking for hands-on experience and the opportunity to develop skills and experience in a new industry or functional role. 

Student treks

Treks are student-led visits focusing on a particular region in order to understand what it is like to do business there, meet potential recruiters and meet alumni both in their corporate and personal capacities. The career development team can support you in finding industry related alumni in relevant geographic areas, with access to careers contacts and with introductions to appropriate recruiters. 

Some examples of past treks include:

• Africa - South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, Uganda
• Asia - Singapore, China, Mongolia, Hong Kong, India
• Europe - Switzerland, Germany
• Middle East - Dubai, Lebanon
• North America - New York, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Washington DC
• South America - Columbia, Brazil

Supporting students progressing in careers in finance

With one of the most prestigious finance faculties in the world, an extensive range of finance electives, the unique offering of the practical Oxford Saïd Finance Lab and the ability to attract some of the highest profile people from the world’s leading institutions the Oxford MBA equips its students to meet the demands of today’s recruiters in this challenging market. 

Supporting students progressing in careers in consulting

For students looking to progress their careers in consulting Oxford's MBA programme offers an impressive and diverse curriculum to support your consulting goals. You will not only acquire fundamental business skills, but also pursue consulting specific specialisms through a variety of elective courses. You will have the option to engage in a six week consulting project over the summer, meet with consulting firms across many sectors and gain practical consulting skills via the Consulting Development Program.

Supporting students progressing in careers in industry

The Global Industry team is focused on developing relationships with organisations across a wide range of sectors including Healthcare, Technology, Media, Energy and Industrials, and FMCG, Retail and E-Commerce. The team organise an annual programme of events on and off-campus in partnership with companies from larger “blue chip” brands to smaller organisations, providing you with opportunities to grow your network and learn more about post-MBA opportunities across Global Industry.

Supporting students looking to make an impact

If you are interested in making a positive impact and using your career to address some of the most challenging problems facing humankind, Saïd Business School is the place to be. Our mission is to provide resources and break down barriers for aspiring social impact experts and social entrepreneurs to connect, engage and take action. We provide access and knowledge in this sector via our ecosystem of programmes, workshops, conferences and co-curricular engagement.