Shannon Connelly speaks at a Wharton Impact event.
(Image Credit: Trevor Adams)
Wharton Executive MBA (EMBA) students come from diverse backgrounds and industries, but they all have one thing in common: ambition. Whether they’re aiming to move up, pivot into a new field, launch a venture, or serve on a board, Wharton provides personalized, lifelong career support to help make it happen.
(Image Credit: Hatef Alavi)
We connected with Shannon Connelly, the new Head of Career Management for Wharton’s Executive MBA Program, to learn how her team empowers students and alumni and how her own journey across Penn and Wharton gives her a unique advantage to guide others.
Q: What’s your background and what brought you to this role?
A: I’ve been at Penn for 20 years, with roles in study abroad advising, MBA career management, full-time MBA admissions, and — most recently — leading Wharton’s alumni relations team. A constant in my career has been helping people find clarity and direction. That’s what drew me to this role. I love working with individuals to figure out their “north star” and how to get there.
Q: How do you support EMBA students in your role?
A: We support both the technical and soft skills of career development. That includes practical tools like refining executive resumes, strengthening LinkedIn profiles, and building a targeted company list. But we also focus on helping students clarify their goals, build meaningful networks, and make confident, informed decisions.
Support happens through one-on-one advising, curated career workshops, and access to Wharton’s global alumni network. Having led alumni relations at Wharton, I am excited to help students tap into the largest alumni network of any business school in the world.
Q: What kinds of career support do EMBA students typically need?
A: Most students fall into a few categories:
- Career changers who want to pivot into a new industry, function, or company
- Career advancers already on the right path, but aiming for more senior leadership roles
- Entrepreneurs exploring new ventures or acquisitions
- Those interested in board service, whether nonprofit or corporate.
We tailor our approach to fit each individual’s goals. For example, someone transitioning from the military to healthcare might need help building industry knowledge and connecting with the right people. Others might need support navigating a complex job offer or negotiating equity packages.
No two career paths are the same — and neither is our guidance.
Q: What might surprise new students about EMBA career services?
A: Many expect it to be transactional, but it’s deeply personalized and strategic. We often say: “If we don’t know you, we can’t help you.” That’s why we aim to build relationships early, so we can proactively share relevant job leads, alumni connections, and industry insights tailored to each student.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge EMBA students face in managing their careers?
A: Time. Between demanding jobs, school, and personal responsibilities, it’s easy to get caught in execution mode. We encourage students to pause and reflect: Why did you enroll in this program? Has your vision evolved? That reflection helps shape the right career strategy.
Q: What career resources are available to EMBA students and alumni?
A: A lot! Our support includes:
- Personalized advising and a deep bench of expert career coaches
- A data-rich career platform with data about trends, outcomes, and successful industry transitions
- A curated job board with thousands of roles relevant to EMBA talent
- Term-based programming focused on key topics like networking, compensation, and board search strategy
- A library of on-demand videos, masterclasses, and alumni speaker events
- Ongoing access to Wharton’s global community of 108,000+ alumni, 75+ global alumni clubs, and lifelong learning programs
And, most importantly, this support doesn’t stop after graduation from the EMBA program — it’s lifelong.
Q: What excites you most about this role?
A: Helping people through career transitions. I love hearing students’ stories, because their backgrounds are both diverse and inspiring. Wharton EMBA students are some of the most motivated and thoughtful professionals I’ve worked with. They bring perspective, humility, and humor to the process.
Q: What do you want prospective or incoming students to know about EMBA Career Management?
A: No matter where you’re starting from — whether you’re looking to shift industries, climb higher in your organization, or start something new — Wharton’s EMBA career support is built to meet you there. We help students define what success looks like and then give them the tools, connections, and guidance to get there — not just during the program, but throughout their entire career.
By Meghan Laska