Image of Sharon Michael
Sharon Michael
Senior Program Manager, Amazon
Full-time MBA (2024-2025)
How did CareersPlus and Employer Relations support you during your Full-time MBA?

CareersPlus played an important role in helping me prepare for the recruitment process and build confidence throughout my MBA journey. Two experiences stood out in particular. The first was ‘Interviewing with Impact’, where I had the opportunity to practise interview scenarios with a coach and receive personalised feedback. Learning the STAR technique was particularly helpful in preparing my responses for key interviews. The second was the ‘Development Centre’, a two-day workshop that simulated an assessment centre environment and provided detailed feedback on everything from communication and teamwork to problem-solving and leadership. Alongside these programmes, the mock interviews and preparation support from my career coach helped me refine my approach and feel better prepared for interviews. Looking back, these experiences were instrumental in helping me successfully navigate a competitive recruitment process and secure a Senior Program Manager role at Amazon.

Which Capstone project option did you select? How did this experience support you in getting a role post-MBA?

I chose the Strategic Consulting Project and worked alongside two incredibly talented classmates. The experience gave us the opportunity to tackle a real business challenge, structure complex problems and develop strategic recommendations. Beyond the technical aspects of problem-solving, it strengthened my ability to collaborate with diverse perspectives, communicate ideas clearly and build solutions as a team. These are skills that continue to be valuable in my role today, where solving ambiguous problems and aligning multiple stakeholders is a core part of the job.

What’s changed for you career-wise since completing your MBA?

Since completing my MBA, a wider range of opportunities has opened up to me. After spending more than a decade in fashion, I was able to successfully transition into the tech sector and take on a role at Amazon. The programme gave me the confidence to pivot into a different industry while building on my existing strengths. More importantly, it helped me develop a broader understanding of how different sectors operate and gave me a clearer perspective on the different paths available for long-term career growth.

Was your MBA a contributing factor in this? If so, how?

Absolutely. The MBA exposed me to different aspects of business that I had not previously worked in, which helped me feel more prepared when interviewing for roles outside my comfort zone. Working with a highly diverse cohort also strengthened my ability to collaborate with different stakeholders and perspectives, something that has been invaluable in my current role. Another area where the MBA had a significant impact was communication. The constant practice of structuring ideas, writing clearly and presenting concise recommendations helped me adapt quickly to Amazon's writing culture, which was very different from my previous professional experience.

What were your career aims when applying for the MBA? Has it helped you achieve them?

When I applied for the MBA, my long-term goal was to start my own business, and I believed the programme would provide the foundation to help me get there. The exposure to different business functions, strategic thinking and entrepreneurship, combined with the network I built during the MBA, will continue to support that ambition. In the short term, I wanted to understand how large-scale ecommerce and technology organisations operate and gain experience working within one. Joining Amazon has given me the opportunity to see first-hand how businesses scale, make decisions and manage complex operations through strong governance mechanisms. While I am still working towards my long-term goal, I continue to develop skills and experiences that will help me get there.

What was your key career takeaway?

One of my biggest takeaways was understanding the importance of building strong networks and the psychology behind effective teamwork. The leadership modules provided valuable insights into how people work together, influence decisions and navigate complexity within organisations. Those lessons have helped me build stronger relationships, collaborate more effectively and operate with greater confidence in large organisations. I came away with a much deeper appreciation of the fact that success is rarely achieved in isolation; it is built through the quality of the relationships and teams around you.

What’s your advice to future Full-time MBAs at WBS?

Don't doubt yourself, and don't hesitate to lean on the support system around you. Whether it's your career coaches, classmates, professors or the alumni network, there are always people willing to help. The MBA can be an intense and transformative experience, and some of the most valuable opportunities come from the conversations, relationships and support you build along the way. Be open to experiences that push you outside your comfort zone, as those are often the ones that lead to the most growth.