The career services staff is where it all comes together for most MBAs. Although the reasons people get an MBA can be as diverse as the people themselves, nearly every student’s reason has something to do with career aspirations.

Career services staff are the people who will help you get a job when you graduate. They can usually tell you whether your career aspirations are likely to be fulfilled at their schools. Their input can be extremely valuable as you decide where to apply.

Schools have a vested interest in admitting students who will be most able to take advantage of their programs and be successfully employed once they graduate. When you talk to career services staff, try to get answers you can’t find in print materials. Review published placement statistics and seek clarification on data that are relevant to your career goals. You might want to ask such questions as (but make them apply to your field of interest):

• “Can you separate your placement average for the consulting field by specialty?”
• “Of your marketing graduates last year, what percentage went into brand management?”
• “Your materials indicate that 30% of last year’s graduating class is international and 30% went to work internationally after graduation. Are the same students in both categories?”

Ask career services staff whether they have worked with students whose backgrounds and aspirations are similar to yours. If so, how successful were those graduates in securing internships and jobs?

Keep in mind that your access to career services staff may be limited before you become an admitted applicant. However, career services representatives are sometimes present at recruiting events and may be available during campus visits.