Stephen Mostrom graduated from the Arizona State University WP Carey School of Business, and was able to transition into a role that increased his responsibility, scope and opportunities for advancement in his career. Opportunities for Stephen came from the role, but also from his willingness to meet new people, build meaningful relationships, and further his curiosity for learning and growth.
During this conversation, Stephen spoke about some of his reflections on his life and career after graduating from business school, and the transformations and changes that have occurred in his life along the way. He also provided advice for fellow MBA alums who are making or thinking of making career changes.
MBASchooled: Think back to when you graduated from business school. What were you excited about or nervous about when you graduated?
Taking on high-profile work.
Pre-MBA, my work felt invisible. I was in banking operations, mostly behind the scenes. And my exposure to senior leaders was minimal. I did my job. And was known within my department. But at a 200,000-person company, it felt like I was on an island.
Moving into a leadership development program changed everything. Suddenly, a lot of doors were open. The spotlight was shining bright on my work. This was both exciting and nerve-wracking. In those first months, I thought a lot about how to avoid making mistakes.
MBASchooled: What was it like to transition from business school back into the workplace? What did you enjoy, and what was challenging?
I loved the diverse experiences.
In two years post-MBA, I worked in three departments and lived in four states. The movement helped expand my network and knowledge of the organization. It also gave me an opportunity to see more of the country.
At the same time, there was so much to learn.
I embraced new roles and functions within the bank, but it took some getting used to. Before business school, I’d worked in one department for three years. Suddenly, I was shifting gears quickly. Adjusting to new teams and new environments.
MBASchooled: Since graduating, what’s been your proudest accomplishment so far?
2019 was a stretch year for me.
I had the opportunity to take part in a massive project. A leadership conference that stretched across multiple lines of business. The conference included hundreds of sales leaders from all around the country. And featured talks from members of the C-Suite.
The logistics of a conference that size are overwhelming. I had a checklist that ran for pages. And I reviewed it for weeks leading up to the launch.
But the conference was a huge success. Learner feedback scores in the upper 90s. I spoke with leader after leader who felt empowered and excited walking out the door.
It was amazing to see that kind of direct impact.
And a few months later, our team was recognized with the Performance Excellence Award at Bank of America. An enterprise-level award, and one of the higher honors the company gives out. This was definitely a milestone moment.
MBASchooled: Looking back upon your time in business school, what are things that you did in business school that has been valuable to you in your work and career?
Team building.
Looking back, it’s clear so much of my development happened after class. In a conference room, working alongside team members.
In those rooms, I learned about different work and communication styles. I honed my persuasion skills. I made connections that have lasted to this day.
Much of the work I’ve done post-MBA is collaborative. Influencing partners across a matrixed organization without having any direct authority. Becoming a trusted partner. Nudging them in the right direction.
I wouldn’t be able to do this work without the skills formed through MBA teams.
MBASchooled: How have your thoughts about your career and professional success changed and evolved since graduating?
So much has changed.
On the personal front, my wife and I welcomed our first son. And then our second. Having children has shifted my priorities and the amount of time I can invest.
And then there was the pandemic. Like many, the pandemic forced me to take a hard look at what I wanted to accomplish and how I was going to pursue my goals.
In the end, these life events changed my thinking in two ways.
First, I’m more focused with my efforts. I’ve found my superpower (L&D) and I’m invested in growing my strengths and expanding my network.
Second, I’m working to find work/life harmony. To balance my family, my goals, and my mental well-being. To make sure I can operate at a high level across many priorities.
MBASchooled: You recently made a career change. What led to that, and what did you learn from the process?
The change was years in the making.
In a previous role, I found my passion for working with tech teams. I knew I wanted my career to intersect with innovative engineers, product managers, designers, etc.
So, I pursued internal opportunities within Bank of America, taking on projects that aligned with this focus. I sought out certifications (like the PMP) to broaden my knowledge. And I expanded my network, meeting people from all over.
When this opportunity with Silicon Valley Bank came up, it was the perfect alignment of my passion and interests. And the team was great. So, even though I loved my work at Bank of America, I decided to take the plunge.
As far as lessons learned, here’s one. I think patience is an underrated career skill.
MBAs like to move fast and take action. That’s great. But sometimes a patient approach to your career can set you down the right path. I encourage folks to take time to understand their goals and find a role that checks all the boxes.
MBASchooled: What are you excited about for the next few years in your life and career?
Connecting.
For most of my career, I’ve been in explore mode. Seeking to understand myself, the work I’m passionate about, and the type of culture I thrive in.
And that investment has paid off.
At this stage, I have a strong sense of self and a well-established value proposition. Clarity of vision. Knowing who you are and what you want is powerful. It allows you to throw yourself head-first at goals and know where to direct your efforts.
For me, that means connecting.
I’m working to connect in multiple ways. I’m connecting within the L&D community, meeting with passionate learning professionals. I’m connecting online by posting content about skills development and the learning landscape. And I’m connecting by mentoring folks who are new to the career field.
I believe connecting with like-minded professionals is the best way to grow. It opens up opportunities to talk about career, work, life, and so much more.
MBASchooled: Who is someone you admire or respect in your career, and why?
My best friend, Matt, also happens to be a mortgage executive.
He’s one of the most thoughtful people I know. A dynamic leader. At Bank of America, we bonded over our passion for developing talent within the company.
He’s also a single father to a son with disabilities. Someone who, on a daily basis, has to balance his work with a challenging home environment. He shows up as both, a great father and a great boss. It’s truly inspirational.
Every time I think about balancing priorities, now that I’m a father, I look to the example of my friend.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have, for soon-to-be MBA Graduates (2nd Year MBAs) about how they can be successful in their life after business school?
Relationships. Relationships. Relationships.
I’m not one for quotes. But I think this one from Theodore Roosevelt is worth considering. “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Leaving B-School, time and again, I’ve seen grads struggle with the people side of work. They know the business. They bring tremendous experience and skillsets. And they want to get the job done.
But you can’t go alone.
The more work you take on, the more collaboration, trust, and team dynamics matter. Business school grads can get caught up in what they know, and miss opportunities to show how much they care.
My advice to any upcoming grad is this. Invest your time in people. Build relationships first, before diving into the work. Make sure there’s a sense of “us,” not a sense of “you and me.”
This is true team building.
Learn to do it well and you’ll be amazed by how much you can get done.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for other MBA graduates who are a few years post-MBA about navigating life and career as an MBA graduate?
Never stop learning.
I work in L&D, so no surprise I’d make a plug for learning. It’s that important.
The world is changing at an incredible pace. And there are clear signs the useful life of many skills is shrinking. Work is evolving like never before.
That means that if MBA grads want to stay competitive, we have to invest in powerful learning habits. We need to stay at the cutting edge of business knowledge.
In business school, much of this was done for us. Case studies, professors, seminars. But post-MBA, the learning burden falls on our shoulders.
My advice is this.
Don’t let the needs of today overshadow the goals of tomorrow. Carve out time each day to learn something new. To connect with someone in your field. To crack open a book or sit in on a webinar.
A growth mindset is invaluable.
I hope my fellow MBAs are keeping theirs.