Connect with MIT Sloan Industry Advisors (SIAs)
Get industry insight and career advice from MIT Sloan alumni.
The MIT Sloan Industry Advisor (SIA) Program connects MIT Sloan students and alumni with MIT Sloan alumni volunteers for one-on-one career conversations. SIAs provide industry perspective, candid career advice, and insight into professional paths, helping members of the MIT Sloan community explore options, prepare for next steps, and build meaningful connections across the alumni network.
SIA conversations are intended to be focused, one-time career conversations. Some SIAs may be open to follow-up, but ongoing engagement is optional.
If you are an MIT Sloan alum who is interested in becoming a Sloan Industry Advisor, check out this page: Become an MIT Sloan Industry Advisor
Why Meet with a Sloan Industry Advisor?
- Gain Industry and Role Insight: Learn more about industries, functions, trends, and career paths from alumni working in the field.
- Get Candid Career Advice: Talk with someone who has navigated career decisions, transitions, and opportunities after MIT Sloan.
- Explore Options and Next Steps: Use SIA conversations to test assumptions, compare paths, and make more informed career decisions.
- Connect with the MIT Sloan Alumni Network: Build professional connections with alumni who have volunteered their time to support the MIT Sloan community.
Eligibility
Current students and alumni from the following MIT Sloan degree programs are eligible to request conversations with Sloan Industry Advisors:
- MBA
- LGO
- MSMS
- Master of Finance (MFin)
- Master of Business Analytics (MBAn)
- Sloan Fellows MBA (SFMBA)
- Executive MBA (EMBA)
How to Connect with Sloan Industry Advisors
Log into Career Central and select “Sloan Industry Advisors” in the left-hand navigation menu.
You can browse available SIAs and filter by criteria such as Industry and Additional Areas of Experience. Examples of “Additional Areas of Experience” include AI, career pivots/transitions, entrepreneurship, impact investing, leadership, social impact, and sustainability.
Click on a SIA’s profile to learn more about their background and experience.
Before submitting a request, review:
- Their current role and professional experience
- Their Career Central profile summary
- Any notes they have added under the Career Conversation Programs section in their profile tab.
- Any SIA conversation preferences they have included
- These preferences may include topics they are especially open to discussing, areas where they can be most helpful, or guidance on what to include in your request.
When you have identified a SIA you would like to meet with, click the button at the top of their profile: “Request [First Name] for a 1:1 SIA Conversation”
You do not need to draft your request from scratch. Career Central will provide a template, but you should customize it with enough detail to help the SIA understand your goals for the conversation.
Then click “Request.”
You will receive an email notification when the SIA accepts or declines your request.
SIAs have seven days to respond. If the SIA does not respond within seven days, the request will expire, and you may request a conversation with another SIA.
Please note:
- You may have up to three pending SIA requests at a time.
- You may have up to three active SIA connections at a time.
- Each SIA connection remains active for 30 days.
If the SIA accepts your request, you are responsible for coordinating the conversation.
Please follow up promptly to:
- Confirm the date, time (include the time zone), and meeting format
- Send a calendar invitation (include a Zoom link or other meeting platform link)
SIA conversations are typically virtual. If both you and the SIA prefer to meet in person and it is mutually convenient, you may coordinate an in-person conversation.
After your request is accepted, Career Central will prompt you to complete a short task list for your SIA connection. Some tasks happen outside Career Central, but please return to Career Central to check them off as you move through the process.
Your tasks will include:
- Schedule and confirm the 1:1 conversation – Agree on date, time, time zone, and format
- Prepare for the conversation – Review the SIA’s LinkedIn and 12twenty profile, and prepare specific questions or topics
- Hold the 1:1 SIA conversation
- Follow up after the conversation – Send a thank-you note and follow up on any agreed-upon action items
- Complete the SIA Post-Conversation Survey – Share brief feedback with the CDO so we can continue improving the program
Checking off each task keeps your SIA connection accurate in Career Central and allows the CDO to provide support if needed.
Make the Most of Your SIA Conversation
Start Before You Have an Urgent Need
SIA conversations are especially useful when you are exploring options, learning about a field, or testing assumptions about a possible path.
Try to connect before you are in an urgent job search. These conversations are best used for insight, perspective, and career exploration (not last-minute job placement).
Come Prepared
Before your meeting: Review the SIA’s Career Central profile, their LinkedIn profile, and take note of their career path, current role, industry, and function. Additionally, prepare thoughtful questions, and be ready to briefly share your own background and what you are hoping to learn.
Good topics for SIA conversations include:
- Industry trends
- Career transitions
- Role expectations
- Skills needed for a field or function
- Differences between companies or sectors
- Lessons learned from the SIA’s own career path
- Feedback on how you are thinking about your next step
Ask Specific, Thoughtful Questions
Try to avoid questions that could be answered through basic research. Instead, use your research to ask more focused questions. For example, instead of asking: “What skills are most important to land a job in fintech?” You might ask: “Based on my research, it seems like the most important skills for fintech roles are A, B, and C. Does that match what you’ve seen, and are there any skills you would add or prioritize differently?”
Specific questions usually lead to more useful and memorable conversations.
Ask for Insight, Not a Job
The SIA Program is designed for career insight and advice. It is not a job placement or referral program.
If an advisor is able and willing to share opportunities or make suggestions, they may offer to do so. But that should not be the primary expectation of the conversation.
Respect the Advisor’s Time
SIAs are volunteering their time to support the MIT Sloan community. Please:
- Be punctual.
- Come prepared.
- Keep the conversation focused.
- Honor the agreed-upon meeting length.
Follow Up Professionally
After the conversation, send a brief thank-you note. You may also follow up on any specific resources or next steps discussed during the meeting.
If you would like to stay in touch, ask whether the SIA would be open to occasional updates or future follow-up. Some SIAs may be happy to continue the conversation; others may only be available for a one-time meeting.
Interested in Becoming a Sloan Industry Advisor?
MIT Sloan alumni who are interested in volunteering as Sloan Industry Advisors can learn more here: Become an MIT Sloan Industry Advisor
Questions?
For questions about the MIT Sloan Industry Advisor Program, including help using Career Central, please contact cdoalumni@mit.edu.
