Why career support could be the most valuable part of your MBA

For today’s MBA students, career support plays a vital role in determining the value you can gain from your studies. Helping to boost your employability and build a foundation for long-term professional success, this core element of the MBA experience is often central to your return on investment (ROI).

In fact, according to our 2025 Prospective Student Survey, 39% of aspiring students consider career outcomes the most important factor when researching a program.

So, how can business faculty ensure students receive the career support they need? We spoke with two MBA students at FLAME University to understand how career support can become the most valuable part of your academic journey.

Personal guidance that helps you find your path 

It's not uncommon for MBA students to enroll with little real-world experience within their desired post-graduation industry. This can pose particular challenges; it can be tricky, for example, to impress hiring managers or tackle scenario-based assessments during recruitment. This is where career support can play a crucial role in helping students navigate the process. 

At FLAME University, MBA students can access tailored guidance through the school’s Career Services Office (CSO). Through CV screening sessions, resume-building advice, and personalized counseling, students gain support in learning how to succeed in job applications.

“The entire training of mock interviews and CV building helped me understand the kind of resume storytelling, interview readiness, and professional communication I need,” says Devyani Singh Rathore (pictured right), a current MBA student.

During the two-year program, students can align their studies with their desired career path through a combination of majors and minors. The CSO takes this into account, mapping a distinct professional path for each student that matches their interests and ambitions.

“The entire process felt very personal, not only for me but for many others. They customized everything according to each person’s needs,” says Devyani, who is majoring in marketing.

Learning through real workplace exposure 

One of the best ways to strengthen your career prospects during an MBA is by gaining real-world experience. Practical scenarios allow you to apply the knowledge you’ve gained within the classroom and develop soft skills such as problem-solving and communication.

At FLAME, MBA students gain practical experience during the summer break between their first and second year, with the mandatory Summer Internship Program (SIP). Spanning 6–8 weeks, SIP gives students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-world contexts, engage with industry practices, and build professional networks that strengthen their career trajectory.

The CSO helps students apply for these internships, source opportunities, and identify companies that align with their specific career goals. This tailored matchmaking opened exciting new doors for Devyani, who completed her marketing internship with Unbend Martech, an agency specializing in the fusion of marketing and technology.

“I hadn’t heard about this company at all. Through FLAME, I got to know about them,” she says.

One-on-one guidance can also help students discover new strengths and career directions. For Shabari Shetty (pictured right), a current MBA student, the support she received from her dedicated careers advisor while securing her summer sales and marketing internship with The Indian Hotels Company proved transformative.

“He pushed me to try my luck with the sales department. I was very adamant that I wanted to be in marketing,” she says.

“I’m really glad they showed me that direction. He understood something in me that I wasn’t sure I had. In fact, I came back after my summer internship and told him I only want sales jobs from now on,” she adds.

Building vital practical skills

In today’s competitive job market, interpersonal skills are important, helping students stand out from the crowd.

The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report lists skills such as empathy, active listening, and flexibility as core capabilities for the future of business. These skills can support students long after their initial recruitment, helping shape them into confident communicators who are well prepared for the workplace.

FLAME University’s FLAME-ME360 program aims to equip students with this skill set. The foundational module is designed to foster career readiness through reflective exercises and workshops built to help students identify their professional dreams and learn how to make them happen.

“The career-led workshops on interview etiquette, networking, LinkedIn presentation, and professional communication really helped me a lot,” says Devyani.

“I’m more confident. I’m not the same person I was two years ago,” says Shabari.

“If they asked me in the next five minutes to give a speech or interact with anyone, I’d be very much up for that now,” she adds.

The FLAME MBA is also shaped by six career academies: Data Analytics & AI, Capital Markets, People and Talent Management, Business & Consumer Marketing, Branding and Communication, and Strategy & Consulting. Each guided by industry professionals, they are designed to ensure students gain career-relevant, role-based skills—both technical and practical.

Shaping long-term career success

Access to consistent career support throughout the MBA journey can help students build the skills needed to take up roles across industries and develop prosperous careers that stand the test of time.

FLAME’s employment report for the year 2025 reinforces this, with 96% of students securing placements across sectors, including banking, consulting, retail operations, and human resources.

“I don’t feel underprepared because the career support at FLAME has already helped prepare me for the workplace,” says Devyani.

“I believe that academic support provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge, but the right career support gives you the direction to move forward.”

Students also benefit from continued support after graduation through access to the FLAME professional and alumni network, as well as tools to help them continue advancing their careers. Shabari, now in the final stages of her MBA, can already see the long-term impact of this support.

“Everyone is a family here once you enter FLAME,” she says. “If I call anyone from the career department at any point in time, they will pick up."