Negotiating For Career Success

Our online leadership academy taught online from 2020-2025 has now migrated to a credit-bearing academic course at UMass Amherst – MGMT 390N: Negotiation. This hands-on program prepares students to advocate for themselves in academic and professional settings—from collaborative projects, internships, and job offers. 

Through practical skill-building, mentorship, and networking with alumni, students gain confidence in navigating the workplace and understanding their value as future STEM professionals. 

We are conducting a research study to track the long-term impact of this program on students’ career readiness. 


 

MGMT 390N: Negotiation 

In this course, students will learn to negotiate job offers, internships, and team projects in order to strengthen communication in professional and academic settings. They also explore how AI is currently transforming negotiation and leadership, learning through engagement with UMass alumni guest speakers. 

Eligibility: 

The course is designed for juniors and seniors in STEM, social sciences, or business, although it will soon be opened up to students in all disciplines. First-generation and community college transfer students are especially encouraged to enroll. 

 

If eligible and interested, email us at [email protected].

 


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Community

Participants joined a diverse community of students in tech or engineering. They developed friendships close-knit support networks. Cohorts included large numbers first generation college students, and transfer students who are juniors and seniors in STEM and Business majors.

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Skills

Students developed critical skills—negotiation, effective problem-solving, communication—to help them navigate academics and the workplace. They also learned about the unspoken norms, expectations, and etiquette in the workplace, preparing them for success in internships and early career. 

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Mentorship & Networking

Students have the opportunity to learn from and network with professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds who come to class as guest speakers. The summer program is followed by a mentorship program focusing on career exploration, how to negotiate in the workplace, and growing professional networks to access apprenticeship and internship opportunities.