Career coach Q&A: Answers about essential support for online business degree students

Every Business Badger takes a unique path toward professional success. No matter where you are on your journey, the Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) career coaches are by your side to help guide you.

In this exclusive Q&A, WSB career coaches share their expertise on everything from crafting a compelling resume and preparing for interviews to the specific resources available to UW–Madison Online learners — like how to tap into the power of our 50,000+ strong business alumni network.

Get ready to unlock the secrets to a confident and fruitful career journey with the following advice from these career coaches:

What is the core mission of a Wisconsin School of Business career coach? How does it differ from that of an academic advisor?

Alex: Every student’s path is unique. Our team supports Business Badgers in achieving their career goals through personalized coaching. Career coaches offer guidance to students on topics such as career exploration, involvement and skill building, how to network, internship and job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and practice, and job offers and negotiation. Our role differs from that of an academic advisor — they provide support and guidance on academic planning and policies to ensure students are on track for graduation.

When should an online student first reach out to a career coach, and how do you tailor your services to meet their needs?

Princess: As career coaches, we believe the use of our services by online students is very important! Online students should engage with our services as soon as they can. The services we provide often complement what students are learning in their coursework. As students meet with career coaches, they will be able to explore how their coursework will connect to real-world careers and industries.

Our services will differ based on a student’s confidence in their chosen major(s). If a student is exploring majors, then we’ll work primarily on career exploration and networking to begin exposing them to careers that pique their interest. If a student is sure about their major(s), we may move to an internship or full-time job search — this will likely be complemented by interview preparation. If a student is feeling unsure about their major, we can return to career exploration to provide assistance in helping determine what career field might be a better fit, which can help inform their choice of major(s).

What different coaching strategies do you use for students who are seeking their first post-college job versus those who are making a mid-career transition?

Debbie: When I’m working with students who are seeking their first post-college role, I focus on getting to know them and helping them craft their story. We spend time exploring what they’re passionate about, because that energy really comes through in interviews. Overall, it’s a mix of resume building, storytelling, networking and teaching them how to navigate job search platforms. My goal is to build their confidence as they prepare for the job search.

With mid-career transitions, the conversations look different. These students usually have a clear work history, so the focus shifts to how they can reposition that experience for something new. We talk about transferable skills, how to reframe their story for a pivot and what gaps they may need to close to get where they want to go. There’s often more strategy involved — using their network, evaluating compensation needs and thinking about long-term fit and lifestyle.

How does career coaching adapt to meet the needs of online students who may be working full-time, living in different time zones or have unpredictable schedules?

Kristen: We support online students by offering flexible scheduling that accommodates different time zones and busy work schedules. As coaches, we provide virtual one-on-one sessions via video or phone, ensuring personalized guidance no matter where students live. This approach makes career development both accessible and convenient for those with demanding schedules.

Can you speak to the value of the WSB alumni network and how it serves students and grads? 

Alex: The Wisconsin School of Business has a strong and dedicated alumni network of over 50,000 Business Badgers. Our alumni are eager to give back, especially through opportunities that allow them to connect directly with our current students. 

Throughout every stage of a student’s career journey, alumni can serve as invaluable resources. Their insights can support career and industry exploration, offer recruiting tips for target employers, strengthen interview skills and much more. 

Graduates have access to a wide range of WSB alumni communities that provide ongoing opportunities to build relationships, expand networks and foster meaningful connections throughout their careers.

Beyond one-on-one coaching sessions, what other career resources are available to online WSB students?

Princess: Online students have access to resources that will assist with job and internship search, interview prep, career exploration and more.

• Primerli is a unique industry-learning tool that lets students explore different industries in plain language through engaging videos. 
• Big Interview offers AI-tailored feedback to students preparing for upcoming interviews. Students can record themselves answering common interview questions and receive feedback on their responses. 
• CaseCoach is an interview preparation platform that provides everything that students need to prepare for case interviews used by top consulting firms. 
• Handshake gives students access to jobs posted by employers looking specifically for UW students. 
• ONET Online is a U.S Department of Labor-sponsored career exploration site that offers students a more in-depth look into what certain occupations entail. This typically includes salary range, job outlook, desired skills and more. 
• GoinGlobal offers students opportunities to look for professional experience both at home and abroad.

We hope that these tools and resources will help students feel equipped to explore and prepare independently for their future roles in their dream careers.

What are the top unique, durable skills that online learners gain during their degree programs, and how can they best articulate these traits to potential employers?

Kristen: Online learners develop strong initiative and discipline by managing their own schedules and staying on track without in-person accountability, while also building digital communication skills through virtual platforms. They can showcase these strengths to employers by sharing examples in interviews and on their resumes. Examples include taking initiative to meet deadlines, collaborating effectively online and adapting to new technologies to overcome challenges in a remote environment.

What is the most rewarding part of being a career coach? Is there a student success story you can share that inspires your work?

Debbie: The most rewarding part of being a career coach is the relationships I build with students. I love meeting each student where they are and building out a strategy to get them to their internship goals and ultimately that post-grad role. I enjoy watching the growth and confidence as they gain more experience. I am inspired by the level of commitment that our WSB students have. They are willing to do the work and put in time to succeed! They truly make my job easy and fun. 

A student success story that comes to mind is working with a student who was searching for a career in the sports industry. They secured internships after both their sophomore and junior years. Their recruiting for post-grad took their entire senior year, with networking a very big part of the process. They secured a role with an NBA team two weeks prior to graduation. The grit, grind and persistence were amazing to witness!