When Carla Akalarian started coaching EMBA students in 2013, she worked with students who came to her office for a first visit wondering why their interviews didn’t turn into offers. She then guided them back to the beginning of their career journey with a focus on knowing themselves and the market to find the optimal career fit.

That situation happens with less frequency these days.

“Students understand the importance of doing the discovery work early on, even before they are ready to make a transition or know they want to make a transition,” says Akalarian, executive career coach in the MIT Sloan Career Development Office.

Akalarian customizes her coaching to guide EMBA students through the self-discovery process, which includes identifying values and strengths, as well as taking a deep dive into motivations and key competencies. “It’s about meeting them where they are, helping them move through any limiting beliefs that may stand in the way of moving forward to where they want to be.”

While today’s students and alumni may recognize the value of taking those steps before pursuing positions, Akalarian also anecdotally has noted another perhaps related trend: More of today’s EMBA students enter the program with an interest in a career transition.

“In the last three years, a bigger percentage of EMBAs have come to the program knowing that they wanted to make a change,” she says. “In fact, I would dare to say that’s an impetus for them in addition to the learning and connections to an incredible network. They want to leverage the program to make a change.” 

The MIT career development team identifies three career-seeking paths for EMBA students – advance for those who want to move forward in their organizations; switch for those transitioning; and launch for entrepreneurs. 

“Sometimes students are exploring all three at the same time,” she says. “It isn’t unusual for someone to explore opportunities to advance in their current organization or move into a different functional area while they are also exploring externally. Sometimes they can be dabbling in a start-up idea too.”

As for many people, the pandemic prompted students to take stock of their priorities, which is translating into a greater focus on family, health, and well-being. With more acceptance of mental health services, Akalarian also is seeing more students who combine therapy with coaching. 

“People are really willing to reach out and get that support,” she says. “And the combination of coaching and therapy can be extremely powerful for people.”

The pandemic also helped accelerate the use of technology. Compared to five or 10 years ago, EMBA students now are more willing to embrace new and emerging technology, she says. On the career development side, Sloan has invested in an online Executive Career Journey portal, which helps guide EMBA students through the career process and offers them additional resources. 

No matter the generation, Akalarian finds some universal truths about EMBA students. “EMBAs are humble, appreciative, self-aware, and really willing to do the work it takes to live into their aspirational goal.”

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