Marisa Carson

What are your greatest memories of OS?

My greatest memories involve working closely with students and faculty across disciplines, engaging in spirited conversations both in and out of the classroom, and frequently being challenged to contemplate diverse perspectives and apply new theories and ideas to “real-world” problems.

In reflecting back, what are the top three things you are taking away from the program?

• A strong network of friends and colleagues.
• Skill in conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses. This skill differentiated me as a candidate on the job market and is something that I regularly use in my current role.
• The ability to apply the knowledge I gained during graduate school to the design and execution of real-world talent management strategies.

What advice do you have for new students on how to succeed in graduate school?

• The best advice I ever received (which came from Dr. Beth Rubin) was to “bite less and chew more.” You will be overwhelmed by the opportunities that come your way (which is part of the fun of graduate school), but it is important to learn to be selective about the opportunities that you choose to pursue. Choosing wisely will allow you to reap the greatest benefit from each experience. I would also recommend taking your statistics classes seriously (and saving your notes!) – whether you go academic or applied, both quantitative and qualitative analyses are likely to be an important part of your life.

What job search tips do you have for current students?

• Build a strong network of friends and colleagues during your time in school and leverage this network as you enter the job market. Make sure that your friends and colleagues are familiar with your career goals/interests and aware that you are beginning your job search, as this will allow them to pass along relevant opportunities (a favor which you should reciprocate).

What about for preparation for going on the job market?

• Prior to entering the job market, it is important to think critically about what matters to you in a job. Move from simply asking yourself, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” to considering how your values, interests, and preferences might shape the type of jobs you pursue and the environment in which you choose to work. For example, do you tend to thrive in team environments or prefer to work alone? Are you willing to travel? Relocate? What type of work do you want to do on a daily basis (e.g., research, data analysis, training/facilitation/teaching, project management)? Answering these and similar questions – and then doing your due diligence in researching organizations or universities in which you are interested – will help to ensure that you land in a job that is a good fit.