Tell us a bit about yourself

I have over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, currently serving as the Head of Financial Operations with significant experience in global process development and innovation. I have been based in Oman for nearly ten years, prior to that I lived and worked in London, where I was born and raised.

As a third culture kid and first-generation Brit, I am the daughter of Filipino immigrants who moved to London in the 1970s to support their families in the Philippines. Today, I’m proud to be the only expatriate woman in senior management at Zain Omantel International, a role that allows me to champion diversity and inclusion while navigating the dynamic challenges of international business.

What first attracted you to Warwick Business School?

The reputation and prestige of the school, supported by its rankings for the online MBA programme.

As well as the point above, the price was better value for money than the school I saw was the closest competitor. I also liked the format and flexibility of the programme.

The interactions with the Business Development staff were great.  They were very supportive and made it feel like it was possible for me to not only apply and get in, but also to obtain a scholarship.  Which I did!

What elements of the programme do you value the most and why?  

The Residential Weeks were brilliant – having all of us together in one place was valuable for building relationships with the cohort.

The F2F International Elective opportunity is fantastic – I’m looking forward to my time in Finland later in the year.

Although I haven’t taken a break, the flexibility that is built in the course is comforting – knowing that I can do that and that the programme team are there to support with any issues.

How have you found the online learning format?

Enjoyable – like in real life, the way each module is presented depends on the module leader and the module team.  Each new module was a surprise.

Some had lots of videos, some have more talking points for students, some had a lot of pre-reading! 

Again, the flexibility allows me to fit it in to my life.  More often than not, I’m not able to make as many of the live lectures as I’d like due to work demands, but being able to catch up on the recorded sessions at my convenience is really great.

What is it like studying for an MBA?

It is demanding and not for the faint of heart, especially if you have a demanding full-time job.  I don’t have a family, but I know people on my course who do! You must be disciplined and committed because there is a lot of content to get through.

It’s also rewarding – each time you hand in an essay and close out a module, it’s a small win, and a big step forward.  Waiting for results can be nerve-wracking but a massive relief and sometimes a joy when you find out your hard work has paid off.

I’ve also found it engaging and gratifying – studying for an MBA at this stage of my career has really given me the language to describe all the things I gained through work experience.  Now I know how to have better professional conversations and also immediately apply all the things I’m learning into the workplace.

Tell us about the community at Warwick Business School.

I’m taking advantage of the mentoring programme where I have a great mentor based in the region who I was lucky enough to meet in person because I try to attend the Alumni sessions in the UAE, which is a short plane-ride from where I live.

I’ve made some friendships through the physical networking at the alumni events.  It’s always great to get some perspectives from those who have graduated from the GLOMBA for ideas and advice which they are always willing to share.  The community is always so supportive.