Recipients of the MBA Change Maker – Personal Impact in Your Sector scholarship share how this opportunity has provided more than just financial support.
Back to business school with the MBA Alumni Loyalty Discount
Alumni Loyalty Discount holder, Jonathan, explains why he chose to return to Warwick Business School 12 years after his MSc, and how the scholarship made MBA study accessible to him.
Tell us about yourself and your background
I graduated from the University of Warwick with an MEng in Mechanical Engineering in 2011. I spent 12 years working in the civil nuclear industry in various roles in France, Japan, and the UK, before deciding to study for an MBA. I joined the Global Online MBA in June 2023 studying in parallel to my day job as a Technical Manager at Hinkley Point C.
What motivated you to apply for your MBA at Warwick Business School?
I was inspired to study for an MBA as an undergraduate when I had a mentor who was a Director at Arup; a chartered engineer with an MBA. Since graduating I’d held the ambition to one day study for an MBA to build the business knowledge and skills to complement my engineering background and help develop my career. After 12 years I finally took the leap!
You previously studied at the University of Warwick, why did you decide to study for your MBA at Warwick Business School?
During my engineering degree at Warwick, I took modules led by the Warwick Business School (WBS) and had been impressed with the teaching and facilities. I wanted to study for an MBA part-time alongside work and family commitments so was looking for a highly ranked, UK-based, part-time course. WBS was highly ranked and, as an alumnus of UoW, the alumni scholarship clearly made WBS the best option for me.
What are the key differences between your previous degree study, and your MBA?
Doing a part-time degree is a challenge – juggling work and family commitments alongside study and assignments is not easy! I have also found the MBA extremely broad compared to an engineering degree, which is naturally STEM focussed.
Subjects like Operations Management or Finance were reasonably straightforward for me, whilst Organisational Behaviour and Marketing, for example, were completely unfamiliar. For others on the course the opposite was true. That’s what great about an MBA – the diversity of students and subjects.
What does the Alumni Loyalty Discount mean to you?
An MBA is a significant investment in your personal development. For me, the alumni loyalty discount made the MBA accessible, helping me to realise a long-held goal. I have gained a great deal from the MBA in terms of knowledge and skills and clarity on where I want to go in my career, but also friendships and a wide network of professionals in diverse industries across the globe.