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How do you figure out what your post-MBA career goals should be when you only know you want change but do not yet understand what that change entails?

In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky speaks with Melissa Blakeslee, an mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant, and Rachel Beck, an mbaMission Managing Director, about how business school applicants can clarify, research, and articulate MBA career goals that will resonate with an admissions committee.

The admissions experts explain why so many candidates get stuck on the career goals question, how to transition from a vague desire for “more” and a credible post-MBA plan, and why schools care that candidates have goals that are both ambitious and achievable. The conversation also covers practical research tools—such as LinkedIn, school employment reports, student club leaders, and job postings—that can help applicants build a stronger, more realistic story.

If you are struggling to connect your past experience to your future objectives, this episode will help you approach the problem with more structure and confidence.

00:00 Why MBA Career Goals Trip Up So Many Applicants
01:50 Your Story Only Needs to Make Sense—for Now
03:59 What “Ambitious but Achievable” Really Means
06:12 Reflecting on What You Want from Your MBA
08:16 Researching Roles Through LinkedIn and Business School Resources
09:23 Using Business School Employment Reports to Test Your Assumptions
15:30 Frameworks for Narrowing Your Options
24:23 Why Unclear Post-MBA Goals Can Lead to Rejection
26:14 Final Advice for MBA Applicants

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

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