What was your background before starting your Liverpool MBA?
Senior Manager from the engineering and manufacturing world.
Why did you decide to study for an MBA?
I felt I had plateaued and that my desire to change sectors was being hampered by being ‘typecast’ in my industry. I knew I had many skills, but I needed to enhance them and demonstrate my skills were transferrable.
What do you feel has been the most rewarding element of the course so far?
Studying for my MBA has reignited my desire and ambitions in life. Knowing the skills you have are still valued and that you have the mental capacity to add to them is immensely rewarding.
What do you do when not studying?
I love to eat out, play and watch football and play golf. I am also a football referee for amateur football which I love. To watch kids develop is ridiculously rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of studying for an MBA?
Do it!
I can honestly say that the skills anyone should never be discredited, but to get the opportunity to work alongside other students with a broad range of skill sets, nationalities, cultures, and magical personalities will make you a more rounded and knowledgeable person.
I have loved every minute of it.
Why did you choose the Management School?
Easy, this is my hometown. I checked the University of Liverpool and did the necessary due diligence and concluded studying here could add value.
Julie Byrne, MBA Co-ordinator, played a significant role in my choosing Liverpool too.
What have you learned from guest speakers so far?
With years of experience working, there are many people I know across various industries.
From these encounters, I have learnt that if you want to inspire students on the MBA, you need personalities who can deliver empowering messages.
A highlight for me was the Marks and Spencer spokesperson, she offered great responses to questions posed by the students, very professional and measured.
What skills and knowledge do you feel you have developed?
I have already learned so much in a short period of time. From fundamental skills such as how to interpret a company’s balance sheet or apply market segmentation to a marketing plan, to interpersonal skills aimed at improving my managing style.
What aspects of the programme have you enjoyed most?
Leadership understanding. This was delivered brilliantly by all involved. Again, I knew things, but now I know so much more.
I chose the Human Resources Management module as it is important to me, and always has been. Again, this was delivered well, and I will take much away from it.
For the Strategy and Organisation module, what can I say, Dr Dane Anderton delivered this module, getting everyone on board and interested from the start.
I have certainly enhanced my strategic thinking skills due to my MBA.
Did you receive a scholarship, if so, what impact has receiving a scholarship had on you?
I received a scholarship, and for this, I am immensely grateful.
Without the scholarship, personally, I would not have embarked on the MBA journey. However, if I knew then, what I know now, perhaps I would have not placed such an emphasis on the need for the scholarship.
The value in the MBA is there, everyone has to work out their way of measuring the value versus the costs.
What are you enjoying most about living in Liverpool?
This is my hometown, so I’m biased, but what is there not to like?