Basically, I'm looking for advice on ways to add a little turbo to my MBA degree. I'm matriculating this fall into a two-year program toward the bottom end of the top-20 US schools. Hoping to transition from vanilla PM work to a leadership role in marketing/market research, with a possible expat assignment. I'm ultimately a social scientist with a desire to make a decent living and keep my adventurous spirit smoldering. Currently planning to get certified in SAS and SPSS, two statistics software packages I've used previously, but really hoping for feedback on other ways to bolster my resume and make myself "pop" on paper.

Background:

Personal--32(at graduation), US white male, personable, cosmopolitain.

Education--BA double major in Sociology|Philosophy, MA Sociology. PMP Certified. All degrees from mid-range US schools.

Professional--Two years in a research/PM role in heavy truck industry, five years in Senior PM role in transportation planning industry.

I'd book an appointment with the careers advisors at your school. There's no short answer to your question that will give you much value.

Which school are you enrolling in?

For an "expat" position, it may be beneficial to have an international consulting project under your belt. I know schools like Boston College and USC Marshall have opportunities like this. You could even tailor it to your project management background.

Maybe also trying to get involved in a project management student club to build your network. Even better, a position where you perform some function at a club like this could add something to your resume - I know that Georgia Terry and Georgetown have PM clubs, maybe your school will as well.

Thanks Ezra for the insightful post--I hadn't even considered exploiting the PM angle. It's the school in northern Indiana endorsed by the Vatican.