Sharon Doerer

What are your greatest memories of OS?

My fondest memory of OS is the camaraderie that developed between and among the students and faculty. For me, the camaraderie was indicative of a supportive environment; one that was challenging yet encouraging.

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

• The ability to think of and manage projects from end-to-end.
• The ability to ask the right questions to understand organizational problems and issues.
• The ability to work with many different people and recognize that there is value in different perspectives.

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

• I would advise new students to focus on what has to be accomplished in the short-term while planning for longer-term projects. I suggest working “backward” from deliverables. This allows for enough time to complete projects by hitting key deadlines on or ahead of schedule. This process worked really well for me. I was never behind in graduate school.

What job search tips do you have for current students?

• Be patient and leverage all of your networks, both social and professional. Use job search engines such as Indeed.com and LinkedIn.

What about for preparation for going in the job market?

• Do your research on the organizations or schools you are interestedin, just like you would for a research paper. Use due diligence from the very beginning. Understand what issues the organizationis facing or what sets it apart from others so that you are fully prepared asyou go into the interview.