Vlerick’s Full-time MBA: Supporting you to reach your career goals

Making a change

Minna Peltola, MBA Career Advisor, says: “We know our Full-time MBA participants want to change something in their careers. So we’re here to prepare them for a successful transition. We think along with them – asking probing questions to explore their passions and helping them identify the career options that resonate with their ambitions. It really is a process of discovery and reflection – and we’re by their side throughout.”

Vlerick’s Full-time MBA includes a career track that runs for the length of the programme. This track is packed with activities that are designed to give you opportunities to identify your next career leap – and create a plan to achieve it.

Discover your passion through career coaching

All our Full-time MBA participants get access to unlimited, individual career coaching sessions – as well as group coaching sessions. Whatever support you’re looking for, our coaches are here to provide it.

Minna says: “The coaching sessions can help you find a new passion and explore ways to achieve it. Or they can help you accelerate your progress in a career you already love. They can address practical questions – such as writing CVs. But they can also dive deeper, helping you to identify your strengths and plan your career path.”

We also bring in external careers consultants to deliver executive coaching and workshops – on topics including crafting your CV, optimising your LinkedIn, job search strategy, salary negotiation and embracing AI in career management.

Meet potential employers

When you’re thinking about your future career, you want to explore as many different businesses, industries and sectors as possible. This is why we host several career fairs each year for our Full-time MBA cohorts. You can meet leading international companies – and have conversations with employers you’d love to work with. They’re a great opportunity to get your foot in the door.

We also have a dedicated start-up and scale-up event, where you take part in “speed dating”. It’s a quick and easy way to meet employers and find your next challenge.

As well as regular career fairs, you also take part in company visits. “We cover different industries and sectors,” Minna says. “But we really focus on companies that hire international professionals, as this is important for our diverse Full-time MBA cohorts. These companies can be any size – from start-up to major corporate.

“Our participants get an inside view of how the company works. They hear from a senior leader – and often, a Vlerick alumnus who works there. They sometimes take part in a hands-on, practical case challenge. It’s a valuable way to see inside different organisations, to explore their culture and discover if they’re a good fit for you.”

Showcase your skills through your consultancy project

As part of your MBA, you’ll carry out an in-company project. This involves spending two months working as a full-time consultant, tackling a strategic challenge for an organisation.

The project is an opportunity to get hands-on experience and put everything you’ve learned into practice. But it has another benefit too. It’s not uncommon for participants to meet their future employer in the organisation they’re working in – as their project gives them opportunities to connect with senior leaders and showcase their skills.

Build a global network

A varied professional network is something that will help you throughout your career. And at Vlerick, we have one ready for you to tap into.

Our alumni network is one of our greatest strengths. We have more than 25,000 alumni around the world – and they are active and eager to help you progress in your career. If you’d like an introduction to an organisation – or advice about a specific sector or role – all you need to do is reach out. Our careers team can facilitate introductions to different alumni – and you can join regular events where current participants and alumni come together to network.

In addition to our alumni network, there are many other opportunities to make connections. Martin Butler, Academic Director of the MBA, says: “Throughout the MBA, you get exposure to senior business people and expert speakers. You have opportunities to broaden your network and become part of the business community. And you also have your peers – the people sitting next to you in class could be valuable in getting you wider exposure and helping you find your next role.”

Watch the video to learn how Vlerick Business School's personalised support and small class sizes transform your MBA journey with tailored coaching, industry exposure, and networking.

Taking your next leap

If you know what you want your next leap to be – we’ll help you create a plan to get there. If you’re not sure what you want to do, we’re here to talk through your options, dive into your passions and help you identify where to go next.

Martin says: “Many of our participants discover their true passion on the MBA. It allows you the luxury of time and space to think long and hard about where you want your career to be.

“The careers team is extremely capable. You come to them with what you want to achieve, and they create the right package of support for you.”

When you join the Full-time MBA at Vlerick, you can be sure you’ll have the support of our team every step of the way.

Ready to learn more?

If you have any questions about the career support we offer our Full-time MBA participants, please get in touch with us.