At Foster’s MBA Career Mixer, Conversation Comes First

Foster’s career management program is strengthened by alumni who return to campus and give back

Networking is built into the Foster MBA experience, with events like the Career Mixer connecting students with alumni and industry professionals.

The Foster School of Business MBA Career Mixer doesn’t look like a typical job fair, and that’s intentional. In early April, students from the Executive MBA, Hybrid MBA, Technology Management MBA, Evening MBA, and Global Executive MBA programs gather on the University of Washington campus to meet with leaders from more than 20 Seattle-area companies, including Expedia, Providence, and Blue Origin. Many of those leaders are Foster alumni.

Launched in 2014, the annual Career Mixer supports how “connection, conversation, and trust drive experienced MBA hiring, not just job postings,” says Susie Buysse, director of career management. The event mirrors that process, with a focus on “meaningful conversations, thoughtful follow-up, and long-term relationship building.”

Each company hosts a table, ranging from large employers such as Microsoft, Boeing, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to smaller, fast-growing organizations, including Overland AI and Stoke Space. Conversations quickly move beyond introductions into specifics about each company: how teams are structured, which teams are hiring, what skills matter, and what a role looks like day to day.

Foster MBA students from across programs — including the Executive MBA, Hybrid MBA, Global Executive MBA, Evening MBA, and Technology Management MBA — connect with alumni and company representatives during the Career Mixer.

Across the room, students ask about career pivots, new opportunities, and leadership responsibilities. Questions range from what it takes to move into product management at Nintendo to what leadership looks like at a company such as Slalom Consulting. Alumni respond with specifics, including how they approached the recruiting process at their organization.

For Hybrid MBA student Trevor Kennedy, one in-depth conversation shifted his thinking.

“One assumption that was challenged for me was the approach lululemon takes on managing their supply chain,” he says. “Essentially, end-to-end control to ensure the best quality they can provide for their consumers.”

Talking with Foster alumni also shaped how he’s thinking about his own path.

“It was great to hear the insights from the Foster alumni, especially those who have non-traditional career paths like myself,” he shares. “I would summarize the theme of my conversations as taking control of your career. Being intentional with the approach to your career aspirations, yet open and able to recognize the opportunities that may present themselves.”

Events like the Career Mixer are part of a broader approach to career development, where Foster MBA students regularly connect with alumni, mentors, and employer partners.

“For experienced MBA students, the Career Mixer is a learning experience and can serve as a career catalyst,” Buysse explains.

Having Foster alumni in the room from companies such as Humana and Snowflake, she says, makes the experience more immediate. MBA students “get a firsthand view of real career paths and can truly envision themselves in future roles.” It also reflects “the strength of the Foster community and our alumni’s commitment and enthusiasm to giving back.”

From left, representatives from Sia Partners, Naturacur Wound Healing, and Stoke Aerospace connect with Foster MBA students.

The Career Mixer is “designed around connection rather than transaction,” says Mikaela Boyd, associate director of employer partnerships. It creates intentional space for students, alumni, and employer partners to build “genuine relationships that extend far beyond a single evening.”

The goal of the event, Boyd says, is to create opportunities for “genuine conversations where students gain insight into potential career paths.” At the same time, alumni and employers can connect with high-caliber MBA talent and deepen their connection to the Foster community.

“The value is mutual,” Boyd adds, and the relationships formed at the event often extend well beyond the Career Mixer itself.

Connection is a central part of the Foster MBA experience, with events like the annual Career Mixer bringing together students, alumni, and employers.

Thank you to the companies and alumni who participated in the 2026 Career Mixer and shared their time, perspectives, and experiences with Foster MBA students.

Amazon AWS Blue Origin Boeing Expedia Headway Humana lululemon Meta Microsoft Naturacur Wound Healing Nintendo Oracle Overland AI PACCAR Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Sia Partners Siemens Healthineers Slalom Consulting Snowflake Stoke Space TerraPower

*Learn more about MBA programs for working professionals at the Foster School of Business in Seattle.*