During my career, I have had opportunities to support and solve challenges with colleagues, customers, and suppliers around the world spanning from East Asia to the Middle East, to Europe, and the Americas. Starting as an engineer, I have been lucky enough to travel the world and work with clients in the oil & gas, petrochemical, and power sectors focusing on industrial heating and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction projects.
These professional experiences pushed me to pursue an MBA to strengthen the necessary business leadership skills to use alongside my technical abilities. As I reflected on my career goals, it was clear that I enjoyed overcoming challenges and making an impact while working with diverse teams from all parts of the world.
When it came to my choice of location, IMD – a place where MBA participants have the opportunity to work with and learn from global peers throughout the course – was a natural choice. Specifically, IMD develops candidates’ leadership skills in leading themselves, showing empathy, and practicing active listening to lead teams to achieve higher performance and make a greater impact on their business or purpose.
Starting from the first day, the Career Development Center has been instrumental in assisting us with the tools, resources, and simulations to achieve their preferred career opportunity post-graduation. In addition to the support received in polishing CVs and writing powerful cover letters, there are a couple of key training modules and workshops that stand out to me as providing immense value for MBA participants thus far.
In one of the first sessions, we reflected on personal values and what is important to us when it comes to a career. This thought-provoking exercise was a good starting point for developing a basic understanding of what roles and companies may align with one’s specific values. Most MBA candidates use the opportunity to pivot and change their career for the better – aligning personal values and aspirations, in my opinion, of utmost importance for a prosperous and healthy career.
Another valuable workshop combined pitching yourself and problem-solving. “Pitching” may feel natural to some, though others, not so much. This skill not only offers the audience a memorable introduction but can lead to further conversations in many instances throughout their professional career. Additionally, while structured problem-solving is thought to be important and practiced by only management consultants, this approach to solving problems can be applied in different professions and lead to better outcomes in many different situations.
The Career Development Center has arranged for companies to visit us over the next two weeks for knowledge sharing, networking, and learning about career opportunities within their firms. I am excited for the opportunity to connect with alumni and other professionals within these companies, as well as see what the future could have in store for my peers and me.
Thank you to the CDC team of Christian Dummett, Daniele Ticli, Evgeniya Yaroslavtseva, Anna Kovalenko, Avgoustinos Souridis, and Nahla Raccio who have supported us along the way. Also, a special thanks to Arjen Iwema and Dominique Gobat who have also contributed with their leadership by conducting insightful workshops.
