The Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business has launched its new Executive MBA Career Academy, a comprehensive, competency-based professional development program designed to help experienced leaders accelerate, shift, or reinvent their careers. The Academy is a voluntary, yet vital part of the Executive MBA experience.
Executive MBA Launches Career Academy to Expand Career Development Pathways for Experienced Leaders
The Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business has launched its new Executive MBA Career Academy, a competency-based professional development initiative that helps experienced leaders accelerate, shift or redefine their careers through structured coaching, peer support and strategic career-building frameworks.
Executive MBA students in Singapore during the international residency.
“The Career Academy was intentionally designed to address a real structural issue for Executive MBAs,” explained Sharon Cohen, director of Executive MBA engagement, leadership, and career development. “These students don’t have time for traditional career development, yet their careers require sustained engagement, brand visibility, and high-level connections.”
Built on the same executive-development foundations that power the existing Leadership Academy, the Career Academy focuses on eight essential competencies for senior-level professionals.
Career Competencies include:
- Career clarity and direction
- Storytelling and brand development
- Networking and relationships
- Market awareness and industry insights
- Strategic mentorship and sponsorship
- Entrepreneurial thinking
- Career agility
- Visibility and influence
Supporting Career Clarity for Every Path
Most Executive MBA careers follow three main career personas, and the Academy is intentionally designed around them.
- Accelerators advancing within their current organization
- Explorers/Switchers preparing for industry or functional changes
- Entrepreneurs pursuing startup or independent ventures
At the start of the spring 2026 semester, students were placed into peer coaching pods aligned with these personas. These pods meet regularly to set SMART goals, exchange insights, and engage in structured coaching and support. Through monthly peer‑pod meetings, students track their progress, share strategies, and hold one another accountable as they pursue a wide range of career paths.
A Dual-Academy Model for Executive-Level Growth
With the Career and Leadership Academies working together, Scheller’s Executive MBA program now features two experiential academies that students may opt into individually or in combination.
“The Executive MBA experience is the learning,” said Cohen. “Executives advance through exploration, connection, and intentional action, not by passively scrolling job boards.”
Together, the Academies provide a structured, holistic pathway for students seeking both leadership development and measurable career impact.
Early Student Success Stories Highlight Program Potential
Executive MBA students and alumni engaging with the program’s career and leadership frameworks have reported significant professional outcomes, from promotions to job transitions to increased influence inside their organizations. For many, the program has shaped their confidence and professional identity.
Chordaryus Billingsley, Executive MBA ‘26
Security Administrator, Integration Innovation, Inc.
“I knew my networking skills needed work, and I saw grad school as a chance to push myself. I was nervous about meeting new people and making small talk, but talking with professionals who started where we are — and are now leading meaningful work in their companies — gave me confidence and a clearer sense of how my courses and experiences will matter. Opportunities like this truly build career readiness and open your eyes to what’s possible.”
Brittany Eising, Executive MBA ‘25
Insurance Risk Manager, Rocket Companies
“What I’ve learned in the Executive MBA program isn’t just theory; it’s helped me speak the language of my organization and contribute in ways I never imagined. Seeing that translate into recognition, new projects, and meaningful connections has been incredibly rewarding. This experience has shown me what I’m capable of.”
Joel Perez, Executive MBA ‘25
Field Service Supervisor, Nordson Corporation
“The coaching and frameworks helped me prepare and gave me the language to communicate my leadership approach with clarity and confidence. The Academy has made a meaningful and immediate impact.”
A Powerful Offering for Incoming and Prospective Students
“The Academy gives students the opportunity to coach and be coached by peers and the framework to explore,” said Cohen. “By fostering curiosity, choice, and proactive engagement, the Career Academy equips Executive MBA students with the habits and confidence to take charge of their careers not just during the program, but after graduation.”
Together with the Leadership Academy, the Executive MBA Career Academy strengthens Scheller’s commitment to developing leaders who are both career ready and future focused. For those considering the Executive MBA, the Academy underscores the program’s promise: a transformational experience with lasting career impact.‑ready and future‑focuse