Isabella Gruszka was supposed to be taking just one course about digital transformation but ended up completing an advanced program for executives at MIT Sloan Executive Education.
Students like Gruszka can use their executive courses to further their careers, achieve promotions, or get a new job, if they are strategic and deliberate about it.
“[In order to get a promotion internally], think of what the company goals are, what is required, what the company wants to achieve in the next months, not years,” advises Gruszka.
Identify your long-term goal
Judy Henry Scinto, the assistant dean of executive education at New York University’s Stern School of Business, agrees that strategy can be helpful when choosing an executive course.
“I think it’s important for each participant to identify their individual greater goal – be it a promotion or a career pivot – and unpack that into achievable learning objectives over a timeline,” she states.
At Stern, they are well aware that many students might have the goal to get a promotion or new job, and try to make a return on the investment part of the experience of their executive education courses.
“Everything about the learning experience for executives here is infused with a sense of momentum and possibility – you feel the pulse. And, we know our students want ROI; it’s a competitive marketplace. Their dedicated time away from work should be directly applicable to business needs and career aspirations,” says Scinto.
“So that’s our approach – create courses and connections that make a measurable impact back at work for our participants."
It’s important for prospective students to take inventory of where they are professionally, what their values are, and what the end goal is.
“Ambitious professionals have a bias for action. If you are seeking to get a promotion or a new job, you want fresh ideas, new perspectives and a framework. Before doing so, it’s important to explore both values and goals,” says Scinto.
“We can help participants take inventory of where they are, their values, and match that with their end goals.”
Be mindful of industry changes impacting careers
Also, it’s important to be aware that things change rapidly, with the onset of generative AI quickly changing industry landscapes.
One useful strategy would be to look for courses that can help navigate those changes, and position yourself as an expert in new technology and tools.
“The rate of change, as we know, is simply staggering not only for business leaders, but also society,” says Scinto.
“We also have thought leadership and research on the impact this is having in our workplace – to develop the next generation of leaders and the ethical considerations.”
The people you meet in your executive course, whether from your cohort or your professors, can be helpful later when seeking a new job.
“If you spread your network during the course, during your education, when you get your certificate, then you are part of the community. So you have more connections with professionals all over the world, and we work globally today,” says Gruszka.
“When I check for positions, you can see if any alumni from MIT are also working here.”
Make sure to build your network while you take your course, and recognize it as a resource that can be of use.
Through it all, make sure to know not just what your goals are, but the reasons for having those goals in the first place.
“It’s very easy to get laser focused on the 'what' – the promotion, the new job – but something I’ve learned from one of our faculty, Professor Nate Pettit, is to not lose sight of the 'why,' which should be your north star and can provide clarity, time and again, when hurdles or moments of pause come up in your journey, which they inevitably will,” says Scinto.
All the courses you take can help with skills that are applicable in the search for a new job or the quest for a promotion.
“The concepts in all the courses I took, they do apply to real life. And this is the most important,” says Gruszka.
Scinto concurs.
“The Executive Education model at NYU Stern allows us to blend the exceptional academic expertise of our tenured and clinical faculty with real-world experience from industry experts. This creates a win-win for participants, giving them a base of actionable knowledge that they can then immediately apply to their individual workplaces and job searches,” she states.
Scinto knows from her own experience that the goal to shift into a new job or ascend into a higher position is a process.
“I have pivoted in my career myself and have benefited from a lifelong learner mindset, so I understand the value of the journey, the ability to adapt, to stay flexible. We encourage those looking for a change to reach out!” she states.
Katie Nadworny is a writer based in Istanbul, Turkey. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, BBC, Politico, and many other publications.
