Igniting my passion for personal and professional growth
MBA graduate, Shuang, shares her story of how the Bath MBA enabled her to elevate her international business acumen and expand her career horizons.
Exploring new opportunities
My journey to the Bath MBA began after nearly 12 years of work experience, including roles at Unilever and Danone where I specialised in in-store activation management. A pivotal moment came in 2017 when I declined a fantastic opportunity to start my own business, realising I lacked the necessary experience and knowledge to succeed in such a competitive environment. This realisation ignited my passion for personal and professional growth, prompting me to pursue an MBA.
Balancing theory with practical knowledge and skills
I saw the MBA as a way to systematically deepen my understanding of management, allowing me to consolidate my existing knowledge while bridging the gap between theory and practical work experience. The University of Bath’s programme stood out due to its focus on practice-based learning and the flexibility to tailor a portion of the programme to my specific career goals. The Multi-Project Suite had a significant impact on both my learning and subsequent career progress. It gave me the opportunity to collaborate with UK professionals in real business case settings and understand how to work within a Western business culture.
Professionally, the MBA has helped me organise my knowledge and strengthen my skills, opening up opportunities to work in different industries. It has built my confidence to take on more senior roles, work within Western cultures, and even lead teams composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds. What surprised me most was discovering that many of the approaches I used while working on projects are backed by strong theories and reasoning from the modules I studied, which greatly expanded my knowledge.
The Bath MBA's strong emphasis on practice-based learning allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. The excellent networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential employers are invaluable for career advancement.
Building and leading diverse teams
Currently, I’m working for a Chinese company, responsible for the Americas market in an industry that is new to me. I’ll be moving to the U.S. at the end of the year to establish a branch office there. What I enjoy most about this role is the opportunity to build a team with diverse cultural backgrounds, allowing me to make a meaningful impact through my efforts. In the short term, my goal is to lead this branch company to achieve a significant market share in the Americas. Long term, I hope to expand my responsibilities to include opportunities in the UK and Europe.
Getting the most out of your MBA
To anyone considering an MBA, I would advise clearly defining your goals and what you hope to achieve from the programme. The Bath MBA’s strong emphasis on practice-based learning allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, and the excellent networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential employers are invaluable for career advancement. Be prepared to invest time and effort into the coursework and projects, as the learning experience is both rigorous and rewarding. Keep an open mind and be willing to embrace new ideas and perspectives, as this will enrich your journey and prepare you for future challenges in your career.