Guest blog by Holly Holcomb
On a crisp winter morning, Cord Frieden, ’04, a Booth alum and seasoned Product Manager, visited Gleacher Center to share career insights with Booth Tech Group (BTG) students during a lunch and learn event co-hosted by the Kilts Center for Marketing. His advice, shaped by years of post-MBA experience, was delivered with refreshing empathy and candor. He reassured Booth students that career paths are rarely straightforward, but always full of possibility.
Pivoting to Product Management
Our careers may be much less linear than we expect. Cord had several different roles post-MBA, and in all of them he managed to keep growing and learning, which equipped him for the steps to come. – Daniel Pacifico
After starting his career as a software engineer, Cord sought to bridge technical expertise with strategic problem-solving. Though he interned in finance at a CPG company and joined full-time post-MBA, his long-term goal remained rooted in tech. Graduating during an economic downturn, he acknowledged the challenges of pivoting immediately into the industry.
His message to students? Don’t be discouraged if your first role after Booth feels familiar. In uncertain times, stability matters. Careers are rarely linear, and early roles, even those resembling pre-MBA work, can become stepping stones. Years later, he noted, you can reframe your story to align with new goals.
Recruiting for Tech in a Difficult Economy
As an experienced professional, Cord emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of unexpected changes in the job market. He encouraged embracing lifelong learning by continuously preparing and building a strong network and community for support. – Diego Galindo
Cord urged students to avoid over-indexing on perfection: the job you take after Booth won’t define the next 30 years of your career. Instead, prioritize opportunities for growth, skill-building, and forging connections that may open doors down the line. While landing a “dream job” immediately is great, it’s not the only path to long-term success.
Having experienced tech layoffs firsthand, Cord emphasized resilience. Boothies, he argued, are equipped to rebound, leveraging their academic credentials and work experiences. For many, setbacks may feel personal, but they’re often part of broader industry cycles. Recovery, he stressed, is always within reach.
The Importance of Networking
Career progression is a marathon, not a sprint. Booth has played a crucial role in Cord’s journey. He noted that his network at Booth has been instrumental in opening up new job opportunities – Diego Galindo
Nearly every role Cord secured post-Booth was influenced by his Booth network. He advised students to build relationships authentically. Networking isn’t transactional. It’s about cultivating curiosity, offering support, and staying engaged even when no immediate opportunity exists. Years later, those connections might surface in unexpected ways.
Empathy as a PM Superpower
I loved that he touched on the emotional intelligence required to manage relationships when misalignments or setbacks do happen; you need to build credibility with your team so that they’ll go the extra mile for you when it’s needed. – Liam Moynihan
As a Product Manager, Cord stressed that technical vision means little without buy-in. “Engineers resent being handed solutions without context,” he noted. By approaching stakeholders with humility acknowledging technical complexity and collaborating on solutions PMs can bridge gaps between strategy and execution. Frustration or impatience, he warned, erodes trust. Success lies in listening deeply, communicating clearly, and balancing conviction with compassion.
Final Takeaways
While recruiting often takes center stage during the MBA, Cord reassured us to think long term and enjoy every step of our professional journey – Diego Galindo
Cord’s chat was a testament to the power of adaptability, empathy, and community. Whether navigating career uncertainty, rebuilding after setbacks, or leading teams through ambiguity, his lessons remind us that careers thrive not just on strategy, but on human connection.
- Focus on learning, not grades. Prioritize understanding the job market and connecting with peers.
- Look beyond prestige. While brand-name companies have value, skills matter more. Ask: What expertise do I need now to land my target role in five years?
- Embrace nonlinear journeys. Flexibility and patience often yield the most rewarding outcomes.
