I have vivid memories of Friday afternoons in high school spent hunched over tables trying to construct LEGO Mindstorms robots. My friends and I became so deeply focused while programming that we completely lost track of time, but the satisfaction of seeing our creations spring to life after hours of experimenting ignited a passion that would shape my future path. It’s no surprise that these early experiences led me to a career in science and technology. Problem-solving and analytical ability just came as second nature, so electrical and computer engineering came an obvious route.
When I moved to the Netherlands in 2021 to work with Europe’s largest distributor of agricultural parts, I believed my engineering training would be enough. I was wrong. Within months, I found myself sitting around tables for meetings about the competitiveness of the marketplace or business tactics, and I simply did not have that knowledge.
It was always my ambition to work for companies that made technology and innovation their main competitive advantage rather than mere buzzwords – yet it was a sobering to realize that my background in engineering, while useful, was insufficient for what I had envisioned. This was not something I was willing to accept.
Deciding to pursue an MBA meant that I had to give serious consideration to my finances. I couldn’t afford to get it wrong, so I had to be very strict with the criteria and the program I would choose. Honestly, having done my research, my shortlist essentially wrote itself, and IMD came top for two sound reasons. Firstly, IMD’s reputation for leadership and its unique connection to Switzerland and Singapore – two locations where industry and innovation are closely intertwined.
Secondly, there was something I hadn’t dared to expect, which was receiving the Hilti Scholarship Program award. I’m particularly grateful that Hilti provides people from STEM backgrounds the opportunity to keep developing themselves beyond technical expertise. I recall when I was informed of the news that I felt a strange mix of pride and disbelief. Aside from the financial aid I would receive, it felt like someone was investing in my future. I couldn’t let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass me by.
I knew the IMD MBA would be tough – people warned me. But as I started making my way through it, I realized there were similarities to my weekend climbing and hiking trips. Both push you beyond comfortable limits, leaving you exhausted but somehow more sensitive to yourself and the world around you. I no longer spend my weeks constructing LEGO robots, but in many ways, the MBA has given me new blocks to play with – leadership skills, strategic awareness, and practical skills which are fundamental for addressing today’s complex business worlds.
