At the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, students earning a master’s degree in business dedicate part of every fall and spring semester to enhancing their skills and advancing their career goals. All full-time students in the MBA and Master of Science programs are required to participate in at least one of the sessions offered during Professional Development Week.
“Because Professional Development Week follows fall break when no classes are scheduled, students have time to pause, focus, and dedicate time on their career goals halfway through the semester,” says Jennifer O’Toole, associate director of career development. “The sessions offered meet the needs of students where they are, whether they are in their first or final semester.”
Students had the opportunity to practice and refine their interviewing skills, learn how to prepare a marketing plan for their careers, improve their presentation skills, harness the power of Data with Power BI, and have a professional headshot taken. In addition, there were networking opportunities with alumni, employers, and other professionals, plus presentations from corporations.
New this year was a presentation on using AI tools for job searching. Andrew Chen, CEO of F1 Hire, reviewed this new tool, which all Pitt Business graduate students can use. This tool uses AI to compare a student’s resume to a job posting, recommending keywords to enhance the resume for that specific job posting. Chen taught the students how this tool integrates with the five major job posting websites.
“The professional development component of my Katz education is important because it offers hands-on learning experiences and exposure to industry professionals, equipping me with practical tools and insights directly applicable to my career aspirations,” says Chiara Marzullo (MBA ‘25). “This approach ensures that I am not only academically prepared but also professionally capable of navigating and succeeding in diverse business environments.”
Sessions Address Students’ Unique Needs
Students pursuing a graduate degree in business come from a variety of backgrounds. While some hold an undergraduate degree in business, others come from fields like engineering, computer science, or life sciences. Professional Development Week allows students to choose sessions that address their individual needs and help them understand the hiring expectations of the business world.
Michael Chirumbolo (MS ’25), who earned his undergraduate degree in molecular biology, found the week particularly useful. Coming from a different industry, he says, “Professional Development Week has been a way to acclimate myself to the breadth and depth of the corporate world. The individual sessions have provided valuable tools to improve my skills in the classroom and prepare me for my future as a business professional.”
As a student-athlete, Cat Flood (MS ’25) entered graduate school with strong time management, leadership, and group collaboration skills. She found value in Professional Development Week for a different reason.
“Due to my athletic schedule and my academic pressure, I have never been employed. Professional development opportunities, whether it be through athletics or elsewhere, are things I always reach for. Katz offering these opportunities for a full week sets a huge advantage for me in terms of adding to my diverse skill set,” says Flood. “This week is critical for students to cultivate skills that can be taken outside of the classroom.”
International Students Learn Cultural Differences
Business etiquette varies in different countries and during Professional Development Week, international students gained essential job-seeking skills used by U.S. companies.
“In India, where I am from, you don’t find a job through networking so learning how to network and how to craft an elevator pitch and a pitch-perfect resume has been very helpful,” says Bharadwaj Patnaikeni (MBA ’26). “I now know that networking can give me access to a wide range of opportunities. By taking part in mock interviews, I received valuable advice on what areas I should improve.”
Marzullo worked in her native Italy before enrolling in the MBA program and networking isn’t used as widely in Italy either. She says, “I learned that even though networking might feel challenging or unnatural at first, it’s a key aspect of building business relationships and succeeding in a professional setting. I also learned about the significance of cover letters, which are uncommon in Italy, the value of sending follow-up notes to recruiters after interviews, and the power of incorporating personal stories when interviewing or presenting.”
Interested in Getting Involved?
If you would like to share your expertise with our students at future professional development events, contact Katie Bennett: klbennett@katz.pitt.edu