Resources and Tools

If you’ve ever uploaded your CV into a graduate school application and thought, “I hope this is what they’re looking for,”  you’re not alone. I see this every single cycle. In a recent live workshop, I walked through how admissions committees actually read master’s admissions CVs — and where strong candidates often leave opportunities on the table. This post breaks down what I shared in that session, plus what I’ve learned from serving on admissions committees and reviewing t

This article breaks down how U.S. admissions committees evaluate application materials for STEM Master's programs and how you can choose programs, and prepare, more strategically. 1. U.S. admissions are holistic, but not unstructured. Com mittees review all materials together to assess academic preparation, technical skills, decision-making, and fit. They infer program fit from how well your goals, coursework, and experience align with the outcomes their graduates achieve. 2.

When it comes to getting into a MFE with plans of going into buy-side or alpha research, having a STEM degree or a target school can help. (Don't get me wrong: it's still hard with these things too.) But if you are a non-STEM grad, from a school that is less recognized, or from a fundamental finance background, you'll have a LOT of work to do. The rest of your MFE application needs to shine.   Start with Academics First First, and foremost, having the pre-reqs and solid A's a

I sat on an Admissions Committee at Carnegie Mellon and have spent 12yrs working in Career Services, reviewing over 4,000 resumes. So believe me when I say there are differences between an academic CV used for graduate school applications and an industry-ready resume for the internship/job search. Think of these as guidelines rather than formally established rules. Let’s Start with Some Definitions A CV (in the US) chronicles your academic and educational achievements. It is

While working at Carnegie Mellon University, I scheduled meetings with Managing Directors, program alumni, and quant recruiters during my visits to New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, and Singapore. For the most part, these meetings only required about a month in advance (due to the program's prestige in the industry). Exact Messages I Sent Contacting Someone New / Meeting a Potential Business Partner Hi ____, I’ve been following you and  (company name)  for a little while and just

The job market is tough enough; even more so when you have ADHD. Yes, there are hacks on how to navigate your job search with ADHD. But how do you FRAME it to an employer when you have a nontraditional career path? How do you get them to look past job hopping? Or freelancing work? And how do you realistically discuss ADHD strengths without calling them "superpowers" or getting boxed in by stereotypes? Here are some insights from my own lived experience, my clients', and my ap

Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you can  always  do it. That's the case for all of us, really. Here's how it feels to live with disability, neurodivergent burnout, and accommodations . Your Energy Operates Like a Phone Battery If you don't get a full night's worth of rest, or you skip a meal or work late... your personal 'battery' drains a little faster... right? Some days are BIG drain days. Maybe you used up way too much data while the internet was out. Your