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How did 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Full-Time MBA prepare you for your career, and what changed in your career trajectory because of it?

I work at a bank operating in digital lending, business banking and personal savings. My role sits at the intersection of technology, product and financial services, where I help build and scale AI-driven solutions.

The Full-Time MBA was a great sandbox where I could experiment with strategy, marketing and product-focused work beyond my engineering background. Group projects such as analysing PUMA’s strategy and conducting a marketing audit on Lime bikes closely mirror what I do in my day-to-day work now.

My work also involves cross-functional collaboration with legal, compliance and finance operations teams internationally, which directly reflects the holistic perspective I gained during the MBA.

Structured thinking and academic frameworks aside, the programme was important for me to build the confidence to transition to a strategy and product role. Without the MBA, I would likely have continued in software development, with limited exposure to business strategy or product leadership.

What advice would you give students and recent graduates on choosing a career path and entering the job market?

I had to be iterative, so from my experience I would recommend using internships, projects and coursework to test what genuinely interests you rather than over-planning upfront. And of course, be adaptable, as roles today often sit at the intersection of multiple domains, so leaning into interdisciplinary skills can be a major advantage.

What are the most important opportunities at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø that current MBA students should make sure they don’t miss?

For me, I would say that the alumni mentorship programmes are an invaluable part of the MBA experience. Having mentors across different stages of their careers was key to knowing what was going on in the industry and keeping my finger on current trends.

Another opportunity to get involved in is the Careers Fairs. They’re busy days and a lot of students attend, but make sure to throw yourself into the experience as it’s a great way to initiate contact with recruiters. What’s really key is how you follow up and build the relationship afterwards.

How have you stayed connected with 51³Ô¹ÏÍø since graduating, and why is this so valuable for your ongoing career?

My brilliant Career Consultant and mentors have been a strong support system for me post-graduation and helped me to navigate the job market and interviews. I would say that the real value of an MBA lies in the network – with your cohort as well as the Careers support. These relationships can open doors to opportunities, insights and long-term career growth if you put the effort into maintaining them.

How does your current work relate to your MBA studies at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø?

The electives that I chose link very closely with my current role. This includes a broader understanding from the Strategy module and Capstone Consulting Experience, which allowed me to work with team mates to solve a strategic problem facing a real client.

The Mergers and Acquisitions elective provided a more focused insight, with the idea of value creating transactions tying in very nicely to my BCG work in Post Merger Integrations and Carve-Outs.

How did 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Weekend MBA prepare you for your career, and what changed in your career trajectory because of it?

I think the single biggest thing that 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School did for my career was allow me to demonstrate how I was investing in my professional development in a meaningful way. I started 51³Ô¹ÏÍø when I was leaving the army and studying here gave me a great foundation in business understanding while also allowing me to translate my previous experience into broader evidence based on my competencies. I am not sure I would have landed my job at BCG had I not done the MBA.

What is one practical step someone who has just graduated can take to boost their career prospects?

A practical step you can take is to start talking to everyone and anyone in the industry you’re interested in exploring to boost your understanding on where to start and how to succeed in entering the job market.

How does your current work relate to your MBA studies at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø?

I work at a climate tech scale-up focused on carbon accounting and ESG reporting, helping companies navigate sustainability reporting requirements. My role combines technical expertise with customer engagement, blending focused analysis with teaching and presenting.

I applied for an MBA because I wanted to transition from my data analyst position in the publishing industry into climate tech and sustainability. I chose 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School because of its connections with the Grantham Institute and the number of elective modules focused on sustainability. I made the most of them, taking every sustainability focused elective available, and that academic grounding gave me the vocabulary, frameworks and credibility I needed to speak the language of sustainability professionals. This is what got me through the door and landed me the role. I’ve been learning on the job ever since.

How did 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Full-Time MBA prepare you for your career, and what changed in your career trajectory because of it?

Before my MBA, I was applying for sustainability roles as an analyst and I didn’t get a single interview. Studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø gave me the industry knowledge I needed to succeed in the move I was trying to make on my own. Today, when I'm speaking with ESG teams about their reporting obligations, I have industry context drawn from so many different case studies across the MBA, as well as a real understanding of the specific frameworks and challenges in sustainability. I draw on my knowledge from the Full-Time MBA every single day.

Electives like the Entrepreneurial Journey and Wicked Problems, Systems Dynamics and Entrepreneurial Innovation taught me that some of my strengths lie in pitching and presenting, even winning a prize for a presentation – a real highlight on the programme. This realisation changed the kinds of roles I was considering applying for and ultimately landed me in my current role that I hold today, where I present to sustainability leaders daily.

What advice would you give to students and recent graduates?

My biggest piece of advice is to take the time to understand how the skills and experience built through both the MBA and in previous jobs can intersect with the industry you want to enter and build your story from there.

During my MBA, through networking, events and honest conversations with people already working in the sustainability space, I came to realise that my data analytics background was an asset – a genuine differentiator. As an industry full of data challenges, my experience meant that I could bring something real and immediately useful to the table. The market for scale-ups building new sustainability technologies was, and still is, welcoming of people who can work with data intelligently.

As soon as I understood that, I re-framed how I presented myself, highlighting why the skills from my work history on top of the foundational knowledge gained from the MBA were valuable. In doing this, I became a really strong candidate in the spaces I was looking for.

What is one practical step someone who has just graduated can take to boost their career prospects immediately?

Use AI tools to generate ideas or to structure your thinking, or use it to ensure your CV is error free, but use it carefully. As someone who has hired a lot of people since finishing my MBA, I can confirm that it is immediately obvious when a CV or interview prep has been generated by AI.

Today, the candidates who feel like real people on the page are the ones who stand out. And that is becoming much rarer, which means it is a real competitive advantage.

What are the most important opportunities at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø that current MBA students should make sure they don't miss?

51³Ô¹ÏÍø offers an enormous range of opportunities: sports clubs, volunteering, investment and finance clubs, entrepreneurship programmes, competitions and global experiences. If something piques your curiosity, then go for it. The MBA is a rare gift of time – a protected space to experiment and discover where you actually shine.

How did 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Global Online MBA prepare you for your career, and what changed in your career trajectory because of it?

The Global Online MBA at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School has had a profound impact on both my career trajectory and confidence as a leader. I started the programme as a strong technical and governance expert in data and technology. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has helped me to broaden my perspective globally and strategically, and now I can position myself not just as a specialist, but as someone capable of influencing outcomes across a business.

What advice would you give to students and recent graduates?

My advice would be to consider your early career as a winding path, rather than a straight ladder. The goal should not just be about salary or title, but about learning velocity, gaining exposure and building relationships.

Adaptability, communication and leadership are often key differentiators. I’m finding that employers increasingly value individuals who can connect data with business outcomes, collaborate across cultures and lead through uncertainty.

For those still studying, don’t underestimate the power of extracurricular leadership. Some of my biggest growth moments came from participating in the Student Staff Committee, the Dean’s Student Advisory Council and other voluntary leadership and community roles. Through these, I learnt about stakeholder management, resilience and teamwork in practical ways.

What is one practical step someone who has just graduated can take to boost their career prospects immediately?

One practical step a new graduate can take is to intentionally build their professional narrative online, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn. Some of my own posts around leadership, diversity, governance and community impact ended up creating opportunities, conversations and connections I never anticipated. In many cases, opportunities come from not just what you know, but from those who see what you care about.

What are the most important opportunities at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø that current MBA students should make sure they don't miss?

I would strongly encourage students to maximise 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s broader ecosystem, particularly in departments specialising in technology and science. Studying at a university where business students can easily interact with engineers, scientists, technologists and mathematicians creates a uniquely future-focused environment. As aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs, this collaboration is vital.

How have you stayed connected with 51³Ô¹ÏÍø since graduating, and why is this so valuable for your ongoing career?

Since graduating, I’ve assisted with MBA recruitment, mentored current MBA students and collaborated with fellow alumni.

Despite living on the other side of the world in Australia, these connections have been incredibly valuable in a global and interdisciplinary business world. Some of the conversations and friendships I’ve built during my MBA continue to influence how I think about leadership, innovation and impact today.