We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What career preparation would you have done earlier if you had known as a student what you know now?
Here is what they shared:
- Assess the Business Climate Before Jumping In
- Utilize the W. P. Carey Network and Meet With Alumni
- Prepare for a Long-term Goal
- Use LinkedIn and Network With Industry Professionals
- Find and Foster Relationships With Mentors Right Away
Assess the Business Climate Before Jumping In
I would have spent more time analyzing the business trends in the market I was stepping into. For instance: If starting off in a fast-growing city, I would have looked at who is moving in and what they need. Then I would have aligned my career very closely to these emerging needs.
Likewise, if starting in a stable or even shrinking population, my research would lean more toward the discovery of underserved markets. The idea is to start from a place of localized strong demand. Tip the scales in your favor!
Tony King, Founder, BS Business Administration, Management and Operations ‘83, Personal Financial Strategy
Utilize the W. P. Carey Network and Meet With Alumni
One of the great things about W. P. Carey is the great alumni network. You will find folks from every professional background and industry. Utilize this early and often – knowing the field and roles you are interested in, reach out to relevant alumni and ask for 15 minutes. Come prepared with questions and look to understand their journey and advice; doing so will help you be much more prepared to accelerate your education and post-graduation journey.
Luke White, Partner Manager, MBA ‘21, Walmart
Prepare for a Long-term Goal
There are lots of opportunities out there, choose one that will give you satisfaction, joy, and will help in your long-term career plans. Gradually, things fell into a good place for me, but giving long-term plans more thought when looking for new opportunities would have been a more informed strategy rather than relying on destiny.
Tapan Shah, Manager, Data Management and Analytics, MS Business Analytics ‘18, APL Logistics
Use LinkedIn and Network With Industry Professionals
Hardly anyone does the same job out of college for 30+ years, let alone 5+ years anymore. If I were back in college today, the advice I’d give myself is: Reach out to employees on LinkedIn who already work in the industry/company you are interested in. Asking for a 30-minute coffee date where you can pick their brain on the ins and outs of what it’s like to do that job can save you time, effort, and headaches–it can also lead you to a world of happiness.
Past me would be surprised to hear how many people will respond when you ask in a genuine (and concise) way. Don’t forget to add value to the other person; I have confidence you can do it, after all, you are about to graduate from the #1 School of Innovation!
Tyler Warrick (Popescu), Loan Officer, BS Management and a Certificate in Professional Sales, X2 Mortgage
Find and Foster Relationships With Mentors Right Away
I learned the importance of this later on in my career, but it started for me at ASU. I was in the W. P. Carey Business School, a marketing major, and I learned quickly that for both my academics and career path, I was going to need to identify and connect with mentors in my desired career field for consistent insight, advice, and support through my schooling and early career opportunities. I still keep in touch with many of my ASU mentors/leaders today, and you never know how mutually beneficial these relationships can be!
Diana Sleep, Senior Manager Corporate Sales, BS Marketing ‘15, OnLocation
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