Leland+ Content Library

Breaking Into Software Engineering Panel

Curious about how to land your first role as a software engineer? In this panel, join top SWE coaches Michelle B., Logan N., and Carter M. as they share how they broke into the industry and how you can, too. ​You’ll get real-world insights into what hiring managers look for, how to stand out in the application process, and what to expect once you’re on the job. Whether you're preparing for technical interviews or just starting to explore the field, this session will give you clarity, direction, and encouragement to take the next step.

HBS Example Essay: Identity, Impact & Social Enterprise

Discover how one applicant's unique identity drives their ambition to lead social impact and reshape systems through an HBS MBA.

2 Hour Job Search

A step-by-step system for running an efficient, high-ROI job search that turns networking into referrals and offers.

The Personal Statement That Changed My Cycle

My tech-focused personal statement that earned multiple T-14 offers—model for narrative clarity and an authentic “why law.”

Elevator Pitch Essentials Worksheet

Learn the four essential elements of an elevator pitch and draft your own with examples to help you get started!

Real Stories from S&T - Candid Perspectives (Lifestyle, Pressure, Culture)

An experienced trader discusses the high-pressure environment, the true lifestyle, and the unspoken rules of the trading floor culture.

Part 3: Build Your Network to Learn

Are you tired of applying to 100 jobs and not hearing back? Maybe you’re nervous about reaching out to other people and talking about yourself. Perhaps you’ve heard about networking from a lot of people, but you’re skeptical about the way it can actually work for you. As a career coach, I have distilled the targeted networking approach of finding jobs into a five-step process, each of which I will guide you through. Every three weeks, we will address another piece of the puzzle through an interactive workshop. In Part 1, we reflected on what exactly you want out of your next job and why, and learned how to tell your story in an elevator pitch and rehearse it so you are comfortable sharing your story with others in as little as one minute. In Part 2, we discussed how to start by finding 5-10 organizations that you want to work at, now that you know what you want to do next. We talked about how to figure out what opportunities actually exist for you in the market, using both online (LinkedIn, virtual communities) and in-person (networking and industry events) methods. In Part 3: Build Your Network to Learn, we will: - Use your existing networks to find people who do the work you want to be doing and ask them for coffee chats so you can learn more about them - Harness your curiosity and concerns to learn about what they’re doing, their workplaces, and how you can break into this organization or field. - Focus on figuring out if a good fit exists and also creating a good connection and relationship with that person, not asking for a referral. Part 4: Maintain Your Network (July 10) Part 5: Use Your Network to Apply (July 31) By the end of the process, you will be fully prepared to use the targeted networking approach to find a job, and more importantly, you will be closer to a chosen job and career that helps you live a purposeful, fulfilling life. Each workshop will include exercises that we will work through together, and I will answer questions. While you can attend any workshop as a one-off, it can be very powerful to attend the entire five-workshop sequence. If you want more personalized support as you go through the job search process, sign up for 1-on-1 coaching sessions with me! This workshop is appropriate for: - Students and early-career professionals who are not sure how to get started with the internship or full-time job search - Mid-career professionals who are looking to pivot into another industry or find a job after a career gap - Anyone who wants to become more adept at networking and use it strategically

Nail the GMAT/GRE in 60 Days!

If you’re short on time but aiming for a strong score, this workshop will show you how to prepare with focus and intention. Top Leland GMAT/GRE coach Bruce H. will break down how to build an efficient 60-day study plan, prioritize high-impact content, and practice in a way that actually raises your score. You’ll learn how to diagnose weaknesses, avoid common study traps, and approach test day with confidence and control.

What Makes a Good Stock Pitch

Whether you’re preparing for investment banking, equity research, or hedge fund interviews, mastering the stock pitch is essential. In this session, industry expert and coach Bepul S. will break down the core elements of a strong stock pitch and share insights from real-world investing experience. ​By the end, you’ll understand what differentiates a “good” pitch from a great one and leave with actionable steps to sharpen your own stock pitch skills.

Recruiter-Approved Resume Template & Guide

Stop Guessing. Start Impressing. This isn’t just another resume template—it’s your all-in-one framework to stand out in a competitive job market. Built from top 25 MBA career center templates plus 10+ years of real recruiter and coaching experience (including Disney), this one-page template shows you exactly how to structure and phrase your accomplishments for maximum impact. ✔️ Easy-to-use copy/paste format ✔️ Built-in recruiter tips in every section ✔️ Works for any industry or career stage ✔️ Proven to pass the “5-second scan” Whether you’re an undergrad, MBA student, or early-career professional, this resume framework helps you tell your story with clarity, confidence, and recruiter-approved polish.

You vs. You | How to Stop Self Sabotaging

You're not lazy. You're not unmotivated. You're not broken. You're just stuck. And there's a reason for that. You vs. You is for the person who has every reason to be moving forward, but somehow keeps getting in their own way. The one who procrastinates on the very things they care about most. Who burns out chasing goals that never seem to fill the gap. Who knows what they want, but can't figure out why they can't make it happen. That feeling isn't a character flaw. It's self sabotage — and it's running quietly in the background of almost everything you do. In this ebook, you'll finally understand why. You'll learn how 95% of your daily decisions are being made for you by a subconscious that was programmed long before you had any say in it. You'll see exactly how your values, your beliefs, and your deepest fears are shaping your choices and keeping you stuck. And most importantly, you'll walk away with real, practical tools to start changing it. Inside, you'll discover: • Why self sabotage has nothing to do with willpower, and everything to do with your subconscious programming. • The hidden values and faulty beliefs driving your burnout, your procrastination, and your patterns in relationships. • A step-by-step process to identify your self sabotaging behaviors and trace them back to their root cause. • Exercises to reprogram your belief system and finally start making decisions that align with who you actually want to be. This isn't another generic self help book about thinking positive. It's an honest, grounded guide to understanding yourself at a level most people never reach, and using that understanding to start building a life you don't need to escape from. At the end of this book, you'll gain a level of self-awareness that most people spend years in therapy trying to find. Ready to go deeper? Every purchase includes access to a special one-time offer of 50% off your first life coaching session — because reading it is just the beginning. Message me directly on Leland to claim.

Path to PhD | How to Make the Most of Your Summer Research Program

How can you make the most of your summer research program as you build your profile for your PhD journey? No matter where you are on your path — whether you have extensive research experience and a clear direction, are just starting out, or are returning to school after time away — this session is for you. While this event is geared toward students in STEM fields, participants from all backgrounds are welcome. In this session, I’ll discuss strategies and concrete steps you can take to maximize your summer research experience as you build a standout PhD application. You’ll Learn: - How to approach your summer program strategically and identify the goals that matter most - Best practices before, during, and after your summer program - How to turn any experience into a competitive advantage With a background in higher education leadership and extensive experience guiding students through the PhD application process, I’ll be drawing from nearly a decade of experience directing the Stanford Summer Research Program, along with my current work as an educational consultant and coach.

Build Your First Custom GPT (No Code Required)

Imagine having an AI assistant that already knows your workflow, your writing style, and how you like things done. That’s what Custom GPTs can do: write content, answer client questions, summarize reports, train new team members, and organize project plans. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to build one from scratch (no coding required). We’ll walk step-by-step through defining your GPT’s purpose, adding your own examples or instructions, and refining how it responds—so by the end, you’ll have a personalized AI assistant that works the way you do. (Note: You’ll need ChatGPT Plus to create a GPT, but anyone with the free version can attend, follow along, and learn the process.) Outcomes: You’ll walk away with your first working Custom GPT, a clear understanding of how to teach AI your preferences, and ideas for expanding your assistant’s capabilities for different roles or teams. Learning Objectives: *Understand what Custom GPTs are and how they extend AI beyond one-time chats *Learn the step-by-step setup process (no coding required) *Build and test your first GPT for your own use case or workflow

How to Approach the GSB 'What Matters Most' Essay

The Stanford GSB “What matters most to you, and why?” essay is one of the most challenging—and important—prompts in MBA admissions. In this session, you’ll learn how to break down the question, uncover the deeper themes in your own story, and craft a response that is authentic, personal, and compelling. ​Led by Andy P., a Leland coach who has guided countless applicants to top MBA programs, this workshop will give you practical strategies, real examples, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re just starting your first draft or refining your narrative, you’ll leave with a clearer framework to tackle this iconic essay with confidence.

Before You Blow Your Shot: What to Know About IB Recruiting

​Investment banking recruiting is fast-paced, competitive, and full of nuances that can make or break your chances. In this session, Leland coach Ken I. (IB Career Fellow at the Wharton School) will walk you through what you need to know to navigate the process successfully and avoid common pitfalls. ​You’ll learn how to approach networking, position your experience, and prepare effectively for both technical and behavioral interviews. By the end, you’ll have actionable insights to maximize your chances of landing interviews and standing out in the highly competitive IB recruiting process. ​Space is limited, so RSVP to secure your spot. We’re excited to be on the IB journey with you!

Essay That Got Me Into Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale & MIT

This resource includes the full personal statement that helped me earn admission to Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, and MIT. It is designed to help students understand what a successful college essay looks like beyond grades and extracurriculars. You'll see how I approached storytelling, structure, reflection, and personal voice to create an essay that felt authentic and memorable. It's for high school students applying to selective colleges, students struggling to choose a personal statement topic, applicants looking for examples of strong narrative and reflection, and parents, counselors, and mentors supporting students through the admissions process. Rather than providing a template to copy, this resource is intended to illustrate how personal experiences can be transformed into a compelling college essay.

How to Nail Your Virtual Medical School Interviews

You’ve completed steps 1 and 2 of the medical school application process by submitting your primary and many secondary essays. Now, you are in the long-awaited stage of preparing for interviews (and perhaps you’ve already received an interview invite). Interviews are opportunities to showcase who you are much beyond your application materials. They are a chance to become familiarized with a program, get to know the faculty and students, and envision yourself at the medical school. During this event, you will learn how to prepare for interviews, what to expect on interview day, how to answer the most commonly asked questions, the difference between traditional and MMI interviews, tips for a smooth-running virtual Zoom experience, and more.

Scaling Startups: Lessons from the Trenches

​In this panel, Arjun S., Daniel M. and Liza M. will share hard-won insights from scaling startups through the messy, high-growth stages. From finding product–market fit and building the right team to raising capital and navigating growing pains, you’ll hear real stories about what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. ​Whether you’re an early-stage founder, part of a startup team, or simply curious about the realities of scaling, this session will give you practical takeaways, candid advice, and inspiration to tackle the challenges ahead.

How to Break into MBB Consulting [5/27/2026] (Recording)

Many candidates aim for MBB but fall short because they don’t fully understand how to navigate the process from the inside out. This session is for those looking to break into McKinsey, BCG, or Bain with a more informed and intentional approach. You’ll learn how to differentiate your background, build meaningful connections during recruiting, and approach interviews in a way that reflects how top firms assess potential. Join live to hear from a panel of experts with MBB backgrounds and ask your questions about breaking into consulting. The panelists have firsthand experience both interviewing and coaching candidates and will share the patterns they see across those who successfully land offers. Expect candid insights and practical advice similar to what’s discussed in 1:1 coaching conversations.