At Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, we know that career development isn’t linear—it’s a journey of exploration, discovery, and reinvention. Whether launching a career or making a leadership transition, students shape their own paths to success. Our Career & Life Design team supports this journey with a holistic, strategic coaching and career education approach tailored to individual goals.
A non-linear path to success
Career and professional development rarely follow a straight line. Whether you are exploring early career opportunities, contemplating a career change, or looking for leadership advancement, every step involves reflection, pivots, and growth. We guide students in defining success on their terms, blending personal strengths with industry best practices to create a personalized strategy that works for them.
Connecting academics to career goals
At Carey, learning extends beyond the classroom. Our rigorous curriculum, coupled with hands-on experiential learning and practical career opportunities, helps students translate knowledge into real-world impact. We encourage them to apply their skills strategically and craft compelling career narratives that showcase their unique value. Students can apply their skills and experiences through various academic-based and co-curricular activities offered at Carey and throughout the Johns Hopkins ecosystem. This connection helps students leverage their education in a strategic way, building the foundation for long-term success.
Career and life design: A framework for career growth
To help students navigate their career path, Career & Life Design uses design thinking principles, strengths-based tools, and collaborative coaching models to empower students to creatively shape their careers. A holistic approach to career and professional development helps students explore possibilities, make informed decisions, and stay adaptable as their aspirations evolve, all while making sure they are aligned with their long-term goals.
Flexible support for every stage
No two career paths are alike. Each student is at a different point in their journey. Whether they are just beginning their career, considering a shift, or preparing for a leadership role, Career & Life Design offers support to help students reflect, plan, and take action.
We offer personalized and group career support, including:
- One-on-one and group career coaching: Collaborative coaching tailored to unique career goals
- Workshops, courses, and peer learning: Interactive sessions and courses to enhance insights and collaboration
- Leadership coaching: Support for part-time students aiming to advance in executive roles
- Extensive online resources: Digital tools accessible anytime for career planning, including Career Resources on Demand (Canvas) and Handshake
These resources and coaching opportunities are designed to meet students where they are in their careers, helping them reflect, explore, and move toward their goals in a way that feels authentic to them.
Real stories with real impact
Carey students often share how Career & Life Design transformed their approach to professional growth. This process isn’t just about landing a job–it’s about building a mindset that fosters lifelong success. We want our students to be empowered to take ownership of their professional life and embrace the journey of discovery and growth.
“The Career & Life Design team was instrumental in my internship search, providing a wealth of resources and support. They maintained an extensive database of job postings on platforms like Handshake, making it easy to find opportunities that aligned with my goals,” said Awwal Abdullahi (FT MBA ’25)
“My two excellent coaches and Peer Career Advisor greatly boosted my job search. Beyond preparing me for job interviews, our coaching sessions helped facilitate my self-discovery process, igniting a newfound sense of passion and professionalism within me," said Hanqing Liu (Information Systems ’23).
“During my time at Carey, I was in the process of transitioning in my career but was uncertain about my next steps. To gain clarity, I worked closely with a career advisor on the Career & Life Design team to discuss my professional background, career goals, interests, and work preferences. These sessions helped me identify a clear direction and ultimately facilitated my transition to a role within my industry at a consulting firm that aligned with both my work style and long-term ambitions,” said Annajoy Harris (Flexible MBA ’24).
Your career, designed your way
Career development isn’t about following a set path. It’s about designing one that aligns with who you are, while staying agile to current and future global workplace needs to find your best fit across a series of career opportunities. And the Career & Life Design team is here to meet you where you are and help you reflect, strategize, and move forward with confidence and purpose.
If you have questions about the Career & Life Design team and how we can help you build for what’s next in your career, please visit our webpage.