Looking to start a new career path in sustainability, Max Frank was searching for an MBA with the ability to focus in sustainability. Since completing the programme Max has been able to make a career “triple jump” - a pivot in geography, sector and role. 

What did you do before embarking on your MBA? 

Prior to the MBA I worked in software sales and business development in the US, most recently in Austin, Texas. The software I worked with helped organisations increase efficiencies, engaging with clients across the commercial real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors. My day-to-day consisted of virtual and in-person client engagement, demonstrating the value of our software to key stakeholders, from project managers up to the c-suite. This experience certainly helped me develop strong interpersonal and business negotiation skills, but one thing was missing – passion behind my work.

What promoted you to study an MBA?

Around 2015, I first began to develop a true intertest in sustainability and its applications in the business world. During my undergraduate studies I had taken an interest in international relations courses, but at the time of graduation I wasn’t able to translate this into a tangible career path. In the years leading up to my MBA, I began researching individuals who were working in sustainability at the global business level and most of these people had something in common: an MBA. The idea of returning to academia began to grow more and more appealing, thus I began my search for a programme that would allow me to find fulfilment and success in a career that truly spoke to me. WBS’s MBA was ranked at the top of several global lists for MBAs with the ability to focus in sustainability, and the people I met with in the interview process were in line with my values as well.

How have the CareersPlus team supported you?

The CareersPlus team began helping me before I even began the programme, connecting me with MBA students from the prior year who were nearing the end of their studies. These connections helped me build a bit of a network as I came into my studies, giving me a boost in having career-related conversations from day one. The CareersPlus team also helped greatly – via workshops and seminars – to develop my skills in customising my CV, to leverage the WBS and larger LinkedIn networks, and to negotiate salary. These tools helped me in reaching out to alumni and initiating conversations which later led to me accepting an offer.

Post MBA, have you realised your career aspirations? 

I often pause during my weeks at work to sit back and take in how fortunate I am to have made the change that I did following the MBA. The WBS MBA enabled me to make the career “triple jump” as they call it – a pivot in geography, sector, and role – and I secured a role doing just what I aspired to do before and during my studies, and at a rather high level of seniority as well. My abilities and confidence to carry myself and conduct business at this next tier of professionalism were honed during the MBA. I rarely have a day that I don’t find myself using the tools I picked up at WBS.

What plans do you have for the future? 

I aim to continue developing my business and sustainability skillset in consulting, and to incorporate more of some of my favourite coursework from the MBA: strategy. Sustainability and net-zero are becoming more and more a centre piece in overarching company strategies, and I aim to get into the room with the leaders carrying out these complex and challenging conversations. Beyond that, I see several potential paths to shoot for, from global sustainability partnerships, to sustainability leadership within an organisation, or perhaps to a career of sustainability consulting, breaking off on my own at a later date.