For many MBA students and recent graduates, the ideal post-degree role often looks like a full-time position at a prestigious firm. Here are several reasons why contract work offers compelling opportunities that are worth exploring.
Contract roles typically last from three months to a year and can offer exposure to real projects and measurable deliverables; you’re contributing, executing, and making a visible impact. These short-term roles are often intensive and come with a quick onboarding process. This high intensity can be energizing for MBAs looking to immediately apply their skills in a real-world setting.
One of the biggest benefits of contract work is flexibility. Shorter-term opportunities allow you to explore different industries, companies, and functions without a long-term commitment. Are you curious about fintech after spending time in edtech? Or want to test your skills in an operations function after years in strategy? Contract work offers a low-risk way to try it out.
Not every project will be at the MBA level, but many are. These positions can be resumé boosters, especially when you can point to completed deliverables and tangible results. You also gain access to new professional networks, earning referrals and/or references with strong performance, and sometimes even a full-time job offer to stay on.
Finally, many contract roles pay well, often comparable to full-time roles. It’s also worth noting that the contract firm itself is invested in the process: their goal is to place you successfully. That often translates to attentive support and a genuine desire to make the connection a win for both you and the employer.
SOM alum Hannah Webb (’22) used contract work to accelerate her early career. Her first contracting role was with Citi, where she worked as a Product Manager supporting the launch of Flex Loan and Flex Pay, both multi-billion-dollar lending products – a role with the responsibilities of a post-MBA candidate. Later, when she had limited time before returning to SOM from a gap period, contracting work allowed her to spend that time as the Product Manager leading the digital product launch of nation-wide K-12 student Covid-19 testing for CVS – work which impacted tens of thousands of students. Both of her contracting roles offered unique and resume-building experience with major companies, which would not have been available through the traditional recruiting cycle.
Of course, contract work isn’t the right path for everyone. It requires adaptability, self-motivation, and comfort with ambiguity. But for MBAs who are looking to build experience quickly, broaden their industry exposure, or keep momentum going during a job search, short-term roles can be an effective career move.
Here are some resources to get you started:
- Catalant – https://gocatalant.com/
- Toptal – https://www.toptal.com/
- Talmix – https://www.talmix.com/
- WeSolv – https://www.wesolv.com/
- Curate Partners – https://curatepartners.com/
