New Graduate Students Welcomed to Isenberg

Isenberg welcomed its largest-ever classes of new graduate students in fall 2023. Orientation sessions were held in September for the On-Campus MBA and the MS in Business Analytics, MS in Accounting, and Master of Finance.

Forty-two first-year MBA students from 16 countries attended their three-day orientation, culminating in the 10th annual David C. O'Leary MBA Leadership Orientation in Boston on August 30. This orientation equips incoming MBA students with communication, teamwork, and leadership skills that will serve as a foundation to maximize their MBA experience and position them for successful careers. The event also included the MBA Keys to Success panel, featuring addresses by Wendy Bellus ’81 MBA, Candace Burton ’19 MBA/MS Sport, and Chinmay Gupta ’17 MBA. (Click here for a gallery of photos.) 

“By the end of the orientation, we want students to have built an ease and familiarity within their cohort and Isenberg as they begin to navigate their classes and studies,” says Lara Curtis, director of the On-Campus MBA. The orientation included a mix of professional development and career preparation workshops, focusing on emotional intelligence to foster student reflection and growth. Students engaged in activities such as presentation skills, resume writing, and team-building exercises so they can begin networking and career development from day one. Isenberg's Office of Career Success provided access to career coaches and IConnect, the online professional development platform.

“Even though classes began shortly after the orientation, the experience did not feel rushed, all thanks to the well-structured orientation,” says Nana Ama Ayenor, a first-year MBA student. “The genuine enthusiasm and support from the faculty, staff, and fellow students left a lasting impression.”

Careers Services and Resources Popular

Orientations also welcomed new students in specialized master’s programs, hosted by Graduate Programs advisors with staff from various Isenberg offices, notably the Office of Career Success (OCS). In the MS in Business Analytics virtual orientation, career coaches from the Office of Career Success discussed resources and professional development opportunities available for students. The presentation then focused on last-minute to-dos and tips for success before students had time to connect with their peers.

“We generally receive great feedback from the students and active engagement during the Q&A portion of the orientation,” says Angela Amato, the academic advisor for the MSBA program. “It helps new students, especially those not familiar with campus resources, feel comfortable and excited about their upcoming programming and involvement with Isenberg.”

The Master of Finance orientation comprised a virtual session the week before classes started, covering tips for success and an overview of the program and resources on campus. This was followed by two in-person career bootcamp days hosted by Kimberly Figueroa from OCS. These sessions comprised tutorials for using the IConnect and Handshake career success platforms, reviewing recruiting cycles, and discussing career and internship placements from previous cohorts.

“This was a great way for the students to network and meet one another because it was held the first Friday on the first week of classes,” says Priscilla Mayoussier, academic advisor for the accounting and finance graduate programs. “They expressed a lot of gratitude and excitement that we integrated career services so early in the program experience.”

The MS in Accounting program offers a series of online welcome sessions for newly admitted students, covering similar topics as the other specialized master’s programs.

In addition to the orientations, Isenberg also hosted a Graduate Student Resource Fair featuring clubs from across campus showcasing the numerous opportunities for graduate students.

Nikunj Kapadia, associate dean of graduate studies, encouraged students to take advantage of the range of resources and support at Isenberg, saying, “Make the most of your time here. Your time at Isenberg will pass by so quickly, and you want to get the absolute most from our world-class faculty and staff, as well as our top-notch resources.”