Starting the Full-time MBA

In our first MBA blog of the year, MBA participant Tariq shares what it's like to start the Full-time MBA and his highlights from the programme so far.

I started the MBA with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. I knew that I was beginning a new chapter in my professional career, giving up a job with great benefits and stability. Furthermore I was slightly apprehensive about coming from a non-profit background with little formal business knowledge. On the other hand, this was the chance I needed to turbo-charge my career prospects with access to career advice, professional networks and contacts, and to learn skills that would allow me to excel in management. I wanted more than just a run-of-the-mill business studies certificate. The chance to learn a new language in term one, and Warwick’s world-class reputation were further reasons why I chose WBS.

Related course: Full-time MBA

During your induction week the boot camp is a baptism of fire as you are thrown into a range of leadership activities with your syndicate group – fellow students from a range of professional backgrounds and countries, with whom you live and breathe the MBA through assignments and case study discussions. That week began a masterclass in self-exploration and I can confidently say that the leadership module has been one of the best on the MBA. You will also undertake a development centre where your interview, presentation and role play skills are put to the test, but most importantly, you receive feedback that is invaluable in creating a career action plan for your future.

The cultural diversity of the Warwick MBA cohort is striking. With over 35 different nationalities on my intake, you are never far away from a fascinating conversation. Yes you even get the odd culture clash when you are undertaking group work but it all adds to the learning experience on the course. The opportunity to create personal and professional relationships is everywhere with the only limit being how much you are willing to put into it.

Term one included trips to an Amazon warehouse, Warwick Castle and Facebook in London, while high profile industry speakers often provided a real-world dimension to lectures. In fact another selling point about the Warwick MBA is its relevance to the real world. While there is plenty of theory to be learnt, it is all about practice and this is why the course is so highly valued by employers.

So I chose to do the MBA as I wanted to boost my employability, and while I will only know whether that has happened come the end of the course, I can confidently say already that I’ve gained much more than just a job out of it.