» Professional Development

Welcome to the next step in your career!  By enrolling in the Chapman MBA program, you have chosen to make an investment in your future. In which direction will you take your talents and energy?  As the CEO of your career, this choice is up to you.  Through a solid, employer-tested core framework, plenty of inspiration, and lots of feedback, we’ll help you get there.

The Professional Development Program (PDP) prepares students for professional success through four phases of the career development cycle, much like a CEO or entrepreneur would develop his/her company or brand:

• Phase 1: Identifying Your Focus
• Phase 2: Creating Your Story
• Phase 3: Going to Market
• Phase 4: Managing Your Career / Adapting to New Opportunities

All Full-Time MBA and Emerging Leader MBA students will have an introductory meeting with a member of the Career Services this team over the summer, where you will hear more about the program and receive more information about required summer deliverables for PDP.  Flex MBA students who would like to learn more may contact Lauren Klentak for more information.

Professional Development Program Summer Deliverables

Please submit all deliverables to Lauren Klentak at klentak@chapman.edu by the dates outlined below.

By July 27

Complete and submit Professional Development Program deliverable:

1. Career Storyboarding Worksheet

By August 12

Complete and submit Professional Development Program deliverables:

1. Resume in Chapman MBA format
   • Create a first draft of your Chapman MBA Resume in this format. Review this excellent resume tip sheet from one of our employer partners, PwC. Please use this as a guideline to creating and editing your resume. We will have the opportunity to refine and finalize your resume throughout the Fall semester.
2. Sample Cover Letter
   • Use this cover letter guide to create a sample cover letter for a job/internship of interest. This will be used as a baseline; cover letters should always be tailored for each job opportunity.
3. Mini-Practice interview 
   • Complete a quick, 5-question mini interview using the Big Interview online program:
     • Log in and create an account using your Chapman email.  You must have a computer with video camera and microphone capabilities (if you don’t have access to one, let us know)
     • Once you can access your account, go to “Practice Interviews.”  Click on “Custom Sets” and click on “MBA Onboarding Interview 2015”
     • Record and save your answers to the 5 interview questions
4. Career Leader and StrengthsFinder assessments
   • Be on the lookout for separate email instructions on how to access the assessment tools.

Similar to a career in public accounting that is both rewarding and demanding, our accounting professional development program provides students with numerous career opportunities through our dynamic on-campus recruitment program which launches every fall.  Due to the fast paced accounting recruiting cycle, your career success is dependent on your active participation in this program.

Individuals interested in securing a career in public accounting should be familiar with the work (audit, tax, advising and consulting) through previous employment, internships, education, professional associations and have a clear understanding of the demands of the industry.  To ensure this, our recruitment program provides students with multiple career readiness resources, networking opportunities and time sensitive programs to educate and prepare you for immediate career success!

The recruitment cycle begins immediately in the fall semester and includes: 

Semester Recruiting Activity

Fall

• Recruiting Orientation
• Accounting Society Kick-Off Meeting
• Meet the Firms
• On-Campus Interviews  (Internship and Full-Time)
• On-Campus Speaker Series
• On-Campus “Employer Office Hours”
• Mock Interviews
• Off-Campus Firm Receptions/ Open House Events/Socials
• CPA Exam Preparatory Information Sessions / Workshops

Spring

• On-Campus Speaker Series
• On-Campus “Employer Office Hours”
• Mock Interviews
• Off-Campus Firm Receptions / Open House Events/Socials
• CPA Exam Preparatory Information Sessions / Workshops
• Accounting Society End of the Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony

Questions?  Please contact: Sandra Hague or 714-744-7812.