There are various reasons why people decide to pursue an MBA including career advancement, career change, wanting to start a business, and professional networking.
Most MBA programs teach the same core topics: finance, marketing, human resources, negotiations, strategy, consulting and organizational management. What really distinguishes a program from its peers are the students that the school attracts. This is a key driver of the value that MBA programs deliver and one of the main reasons why business schools such as HBS (Harvard), Wharton (Pennsylvania), Slone (MIT), and Fuqua (Duke) are such competitive programs.
If you get accepted and decide to attend an MBA program, the knowledge, skills and friendships you gain will mostly come from opportunities you pursue outside of the classroom. The other students will be from various countries where they worked in different industries and occupied different roles. Through group projects and other interactions you will learn a great deal and form lifelong connections.
When the program comes to an end, it is critical to maintain those connections. However, the majority of your peers will most likely move interstate or overseas after graduation, which will make it challenging to do so.
Below I provide 5 ways that you can keep these newly discovered relationships strong.
1. Messaging via Instagram or WhatsApp
Staying in touch via WhatsApp or sending a funny meme through Instagram can keep your connections alive. A short message is enough to show that you are thinking about the other person. It can be even more effective to create a WhatsApp group where your whole friendship group can chat, share updates, and keep each other entertained.
2. Video calls
Video calls can be difficult to coordinate due to time differences and busy schedules. However, it is really valuable to have the direct interaction. You can always text your friends, but it may take a while for them to respond and it will not be a deep conversation. Memes and cat pictures are unlikely to be enough to sustain a meaningful relationship in the long run. By setting aside an hour for a video chat, it will be easier to catch up and have a deeper conversation.
3. Netflix party
It may seem like a strange idea, but this is truly a fun way to stay in touch. Using an app like Teleparty, you can watch a movie and chat with your friends at the same time. It is just like watching a movie together, except that you may be on opposite sides of the world. By sharing fun experiences, you can strengthen your connections even over long distances.
4. Group calls
If you had a great team for a particular project, did a trip or volunteered together, it is a great idea to get everyone back together on a video call. This creates an opportunity for everyone to catch up with multiple people at the same time, reminisce about old times, and share updates about what is currently going on.
5. Gifts
If you see that your friend got a promotion on LinkedIn you could send a “Congratulations” message on LinkedIn like everyone else. Or, you could take the extra step and send them a small gift that shows that you are happy about their success. People remember how you made them feel, not the words you sent on LinkedIn. Same goes for birthdays, weddings, or any occasion which marks a change in someone’s life. It is a way to celebrate success from afar.
Final thoughts
These are just a few of the many ways that you can stay connected with your MBA network. The network you develop is probably the most valuable asset you will take away from the MBA program and one which can stay with you throughout your life – if you take care of it properly. Hence, don’t forget to check who recently received a promotion and to send a little surprise their way.
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