Meet Natima Fisher: Helping Master’s Students Connect Graduate Study to Career Possibility
For many master's students considering graduate school, one question rises quickly to the surface: How will this degree help me reach my career goals?
At Laney Graduate School, career preparation is part of the student experience. Through professional development, career coaching, networking opportunities, and experiential learning, Laney helps master’s students connect their academic training to meaningful career pathways.
As a career coach at the Pathways Center, Natima Fisher supports computer science, data and decision sciences, and economics master’s students as they prepare to transition from campus to career.
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in talent acquisition, enterprise software, SaaS, and fintech, Fisher brings an industry-informed perspective to her work with students.
How do you support master’s students at Laney?
I serve as a “Recruiter in Residence,” helping students understand what employers are really looking for and how to position themselves competitively.
That includes helping students build career readiness skills, understand industry trends, identify growing sectors and organizations, and think strategically about where opportunities exist. I also encourage students to broaden how they think about career pathways, including both traditional and non-traditional roles where they can apply their academic training in meaningful and impactful ways.
What career questions are master’s students asking right now?
Many students are thinking about how AI is reshaping the job market and what that means for their future. They are also asking how to position themselves as emerging talent in a competitive landscape, how to think about job security, and how to find roles that align with their skills and interests.
My goal is to help students see AI not only as something to adapt to, but as a tool they can learn to use strategically. A big part of career preparation is helping students identify their unique edge and communicate the value they bring.
How is the career landscape changing for graduate students?
Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who can do more than demonstrate technical or academic expertise. They want people who can translate complex ideas into business impact, collaborate across functions, and adapt quickly as roles evolve.
For students in quantitative, interdisciplinary, or research-focused fields, that creates exciting possibilities. There is strong demand for people who can connect research, data, analysis, and communication to real-world challenges.
What are some career paths students may not immediately consider?
Students often discover that their graduate training is more transferable than they realized.
Computer science students may think first about software development, but their skills can also translate into product management, technical program management, solutions architecture, or developer relations.
Data science students may explore roles in data storytelling and visualization, business intelligence strategy, AI and machine learning product roles, or risk and fraud analytics.
Economics students may pursue policy analysis, consulting, market research, pricing strategy, corporate strategy, or operations.
What is exciting is helping students see how skills like problem-solving, data analysis, research, and communication can open doors across many industries.
What advice would you give prospective students?
A master’s degree can be a powerful differentiator. It positions students not just as emerging talent, but as early-career experts.
Graduate training gives students depth, specialization, and experience thinking through complex problems. In many cases, employers recognize that preparation by considering master’s graduates for more advanced roles or accelerated career opportunities.
The key is to begin preparing early. Students who engage in career coaching, networking, alumni connections, and professional development early in their graduate education are often more confident and competitive when it is time to pursue opportunities.