Career Impact
Strategic Career Support from Day One
WHERE YOU GO
Focus on Career Development
Throughout the Full-Time MBA program, our Career Services team provides personalized one-on-one support to guide students through the recruitment and job interview process. By helping you identify the best career opportunities aligned with your goals, we ensure you are fully prepared to pursue and secure a successful future in business.
91
%PERCENTAGE OF GRADUATES SECURING EMPLOYMENT WITHIN SIX MONTHS
117
%AVERAGE SALARY INCREASE FROM PRE-MBA TO THREE YEARS POST-GRADUATION
1/3
FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES HOSTED IN IRVINE
ALUMNI SUCCESS STORIES
Eric Williams MBA '21
Eric Williams revolutionizes patient care with international company.
HOW TO GET THERE
Pillars of Career Advising
Comprehensive career support to guide your path to success.
Whether you enter our Full-Time MBA program with clear career objectives in a specific area of business or are still exploring your options, we are here to support you. We work closely with each student to identify the most promising career opportunities, tailor job search strategies, and ensure you’re ready to launch a successful career. With support for résumé building, networking, and interview preparation, our dedicated team will support every step of your professional journey.
Individual Career Advising
Initial Career Consultation: In your first consultation, we’ll discuss your career goals and provide a comprehensive overview of our Career Services. Together, we’ll explore potential career paths in business to identify the areas that best align with your strengths and skills.
Résumé and Cover Letter Reviews: Your résumé and cover letter are often your first introduction to a company, making a strong first impression is crucial. Our Career Services team offers personalized guidance and expert tips to help you craft standout application materials.
Mock Interviews: After your résumé and cover letter have impressed potential employers, excelling in the interview is the next crucial step. We offer tailored mock interview sessions—covering phone, video, and in-person formats—to help you sharpen your performance. With personalized feedback and coaching, you’ll gain the confidence and skills needed to stand out in any interview setting.
ProSeminar
The ProSeminar is one of the core courses in the Full-Time MBA program. It is designed to provide both a review of foundational career management skills and an exploration of specific strategies to optimize the value of your MBA. Throughout the program, you can expect the ProSeminar to include topics such as these:
- Career Visioning and Individual Strengths Exploration
- Job Search Strategy
- LinkedIn Best Practices
- Networking Strategies
- Developing a Strategic, Practical Professional Development Plan
- Offer Negotiation
Industry Events and Connections
Events: Merage Career Services and UC Irvine host year-round events to connect students with employers and the local business community. Highlights include quarterly career fairs, company site visits, “day in the life” events, and the exclusive Merage Career Night.
Resources: As a Merage School student, you’ll have access to career resources from both the Merage Career Center and UC Irvine’s Division of Career Pathways. These include dual job boards, a curated company contact database, and online tools for job search, resume building, and interview prep.
Design Your Own Career Journey
Our Full-Time MBA Program is designed with your career journey in mind. The road to that career journey includes academic coursework and leadership development through co-curriculars such as clubs, organizations, and Centers of Excellence.
Healthcare
Sample Electives
- Creating Value in Healthcare
- Strategic Management in Medical Enterprises
- The Business of Healthcare
- Healthcare Entrepreneurship
- US Health Policy
Functional Roles
- Manager, Clinical Operations
- Director, Business Strategy in Medtech
- Program Manager
- Medical Device Marketing Executive
- Manager, Supply Chain Finance
Company Connections
Co-curriculars
- Healthcare Association
- Center for Health Care Management and Policy
- Annual Health Care Forecast Conference
Financial Services
Sample Electives
- Investments
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Wealth Management
- Corporate Valuation
- Derivatives
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Machine Learning in the Fintech Industry
Functional Roles
- Risk Manager
- Associate in Private Wealth Management
- Investment Manager
- Senior Financial Analyst
Company Connections
Co-curriculars
- Financial Management Association
- Center for Investment and Wealth Management
Real Estate
Sample Electives
- Introduction to Real Estate Process
- Real Estate Capital Markets
- Real Estate Development
- Mortgage-Backed Securities and Structured Debt
- International Real Estate
- Mixed Use Community Development
Functional Roles
- Associate
- Real Estate Valuation Manager
- Managing Director, Investments
- Acquisitions Analyst
Company Connections
Co-curriculars
- Real Estate Association
- Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) OC
- NAIOP YPG
- Center for Real Estate
Technology
Sample Electives
- EDGE
- Business Transformation for Managers
- Predictive Analytics
- Software Thinking for Managers
- Big Data Management Systems
Functional Roles
- Product Manager
- Program Manager
- Senior Manager, Digital Strategy
Company Connections
Co-curriculars
- Analytics Club
- Business and Technology Association
- Center for Digital Transformation
Consumer Packaged Goods
Sample Electives
- Digital Strategies and Markets
- Media and Entertainment Digital Disruption
- Consumer Behavior in the Digital Age
- New Product Development
- Social Media Marketing
Functional Roles
- Digital Marketing Management
- Brand Management
- Product Management
Company Connections
Co-curriculars
- Entertainment Management Association
- Marketing Association
- Product Club
CONNECT WITH US
Have a Question?
Our advisors are here to guide you through the process. Connect with us today and discover how UC Irvine’s Full-Time MBA program can be the catalyst for an impactful career.
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