Published
Blog type
We are excited to welcome the new Full-Time MBA class of 2020-21. The cohort is full of exceptionally bright, diverse students from across the globe. Despite testing times in a challenging environment, these students have proved that with determination and dedication, anything is possible.
For the new class, the road to the Full-Time MBA at Imperial took hours of commitment spent writing their application, preparing for the GMAT exam, interviewing with a specialist team, all while navigating the process online. An impressive achievement to say the least.
We wish our students the best of luck as they settle into their rigorous programme of core modules, electives, the Personal Leadership Journey and much more, to develop the skills required to find innovative solutions and create a meaningful impact in business and society.
What does the new class look like?
At Imperial, we are committed to creating an environment that gives our students an opportunity to develop and learn with a global perspective - thanks to the diverse range of students that make up each cohort. The students in the new Full-Time MBA class of 2020-21 excel in this area with 56 students of 23 different nationalities.
The diversity doesn’t stop at the students’ nationalities. Before enrolling on the programme, they accumulated an average of 5.5 years of work experience across a variety of industries, with the majority coming from banking/finance, engineering and IT/tech/telecoms.
The STEM influence that runs throughout the School, due to close ties with Imperial College London, means that we attract students who studied subjects in these areas previous to working in industry and embarking on the Full-Time MBA.
"I chose to pursue my MBA at Imperial College Business School because of the London location. As the world’s financial hub, London is a real-life classroom to experience first-hand interaction with global leaders and talented people.
I've been a "Londoner" for almost two months and I enjoy wandering around the city. Trafalgar Square is one of my favourite spots. It's surrounded by plenty of historical buildings, galleries, cafes and restaurants, which I look forward to exploring more in the upcoming year!"
Phanthira Taoti, Full-Time MBA class of 2020-21 and winner of our IB photo competition
Full-Time MBA Academic Director, Markus Perkmann, shares his thoughts about the 2020-21 cohort:
This year’s Full-Time MBA students are a particularly determined cohort. Against the background of the global pandemic, they have embarked on this learning journey at a time when normal routines do not apply and long-standing preconceptions are questioned. But I am sure that regardless of this they will make the best of their MBA experience, and we are fully committed to doing everything to support this.
The pandemic will not deter them from using this year for growing as a person, and as a professional. The Full-Time MBA is a fantastic opportunity to learn about everything that one always wanted to learn but never had the time or support to do so. This cohort will use their time at Imperial for discovering and developing their interests in the specific subjects in which they want to excel in. And thanks to the diversity and global nature of this class, they will make connections that will last them a lifetime.
What lies in the year ahead?
The Full-Time MBA 2020-21 cohort have a jam-packed schedule over their 12-month programme. The students will start by covering their first set of core modules while also taking part in the Imperial Innovation Challenge, which explores how business insight and innovation can transform society.
They will then personalise their programme by taking their selected electives, and put theory into practice when they take part in the Group Consulting Project or the Entrepreneurial Journey. Towards the end of the academic year, the students will have the opportunity to complete a personal project or even an internship.
Living in London gives students the opportunity to be in one of the largest business cities in the world where they can take advantage of having close access to leading international organisations. Relationships with these businesses are constantly evolving thanks to the work of the Imperial Careers team. The team not only build relationships with employers to help students secure top jobs after graduating but will work with students on a one-to-one basis, developing their goals on a Personal Leadership Journey that will help to define their own leadership style, personal brand and career path.
The Full-Time MBA has been designed around and for our students. Our aim is to develop well-rounded business leaders of the future by equipping them with the latest data and insights from leading research combined with real-life, practical application.
At the end of their programme, the Full-Time MBA 202-21 cohort will have a comprehensive toolkit that enables decisive decision making and the ability to deliver impactful outcomes in their future leadership roles. Here’s to the year ahead!
Meet the Full-Time MBA students
Alberta Asafo-Asamoah
Nationality: British/Ghanaian
Job prior to the MBA: Founder of AlgebraInTheCity and Impact Investing Analyst, Transformational Business Network
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
As an aspiring Impact Investor, I wanted to study on a programme known for its academic rigor. In reviewing Imperial’s electives, it was evident that the institution would bridge any knowledge gaps I had, as the programme takes a theoretical and practical approach to learning. For example, the Imperial Innovation Challenge compliments the Innovation and Entrepreneurship electives, and the Group Consulting Project allows students to work collaboratively to understand and address a company’s needs and challenge existing assumptions.
Furthermore, because I want to transition into a new industry, I have set goals in mind. I was particularly impressed by how personalised the admission process was. I felt like the team understood who I was beyond my profile and statistics.
Why did you choose to study an MBA in London?
Networking is crucial for MBA students, so for those looking to build relationships outside of the programme, in pursuit of employment, it is easier to do so as many companies are headquartered in London.
Jayshan Ratnakumar
Nationality: British
Job prior to MBA: Head of Applied Engineering, GreenSpur Ltd
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
Imperial’s MBA was the ideal choice for me as it not only promised to provide me with foundational knowledge to approach business challenges but more importantly, offered me access to the institution’s extensive expertise in entrepreneurship and sustainability. It was important to me to choose a programme that resonated with my ambitions of commercialising innovative technologies to support a sustainable society. Since this is what motivates me, and I knew that undertaking the programme could open opportunities for my future career path in this area.
How do you plan on getting involved in Imperial life outside the MBA?
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Careers Club is a fantastic community, bringing together the brave entrepreneurial minds of the Business School. As a committee member of the Club, I hope to synergise all of the different entrepreneurial activities and initiatives going on within the Business School, including the Imperial Enterprise Lab, MBA Connect and Scale Space. Encouraging the growth and effectiveness of this ‘safe space’ community is vital to help inspire Imperial’s minds and for them to collaborate, share and develop their ideas and best utilise Imperial’s resources.
Joanne Long
Nationality: Chinese
Job prior to the MBA: Co-founder & COO, DragonEx
How did you come to the decision to study an MBA?
I wanted the opportunity to make a career leap. I have been working in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry for the last three and a half years and now, I would like to use the Full-Time MBA to enrich my financial knowledge and management skills.
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
Imperial’s MBA programme is well-designed in both academic and practical aspects, focusing on finance and management. It is located in London, which means there are a tremendous amount of opportunities to explore the latest innovative technologies and business solutions. To me, an MBA is not only one-year of studying but also an entrepreneurial journey.
Luke Lindsay
Nationality: American
Job prior to the MBA: Manufacturing Engineer II, SI-BONE
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
When researching MBA programmes, I knew I had to narrow down the expansive field of options. Having seen the power of data analytics in my previous jobs, I started my search by looking for programmes with an emphasis on data analytics. No matter which list I looked at, Imperial always ranked, and always near the top. What differentiated it in my eyes from the other ranked schools is the incredible medical and scientific knowledge base of Imperial College London. I knew if I chose Imperial, I would have a more quantitative experience with exposure to cutting edge medical advancement. The final key factor was the massive cost savings of only losing a single year’s worth of salary versus the typical two years of other MBA programmes. That really locked everything into place.
What are your long-term career goals and how do you believe the MBA will support them?
Ultimately, I want a seat at the executive table. That may be a few roles away from where I am now, but an MBA is the next big step towards getting there. An MBA is the best way to refine and build on the business acumen I have collected on top of my engineering bachelors. What comes between the MBA and that seat at the table? A lot of hard work and hands-on learning, but I will be ready.
Aoife Considine
Nationality: Irish
Job prior to the MBA: Fleet Engineering Manager, Heathrow Express
Forté Foundation Fellowship recipient
How did you come to the decision to study an MBA?
I wanted to pursue an MBA to pause, step back, evaluate, and look at the bigger picture of what I want to ultimately achieve. Some people might choose to travel the world for a year to figure out the answer to that question, for me however, I thought I’d double down and build a strong business foundation while figuring out the next steps.
How do you plan on getting involved in Imperial life outside the MBA?
The opportunity to get involved with the Enterprise Lab is definitely what I’m most excited about this year. I was really involved with product design and startups during my undergrad, even winning the Irish James Dyson Design Award back in 2013. After six years in industry however I feel like I’ve lost my entrepreneurial flair, and so the opportunity to explore some of my ideas again in a supportive environment is one I can’t wait to take advantage of.
I’m also passionate about female empowerment and have taken on a leadership position in the newly formed Imperial Women MBA network, so I can’t wait to see what comes of that!
Madhav Mahendra
Nationality: Indian
Job prior to the MBA: Senior Associate, Darashaw & Co.
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
Imperial College is at the epicenter of innovation with a deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit. The strong focus on science and technology has spurred countless start-ups and I am fascinated by their valuational, strategic and regulatory considerations owing to my keen interest in the world of private equity/venture capital. The Imperial MBA goes beyond just academic upskilling, it presents me with the opportunity to work and interact with entrepreneurial leaders of the future and gain in-house knowledge of the drivers behind multimillion-dollar buyouts/funding.
How do you plan on getting involved in Imperial life outside the MBA?
I am honoured to have been appointed as the President of the Finance Club at Imperial College Business School for 2020-21. Driving the framework and objectives for one of the largest clubs in the Business School is an extremely exciting prospect. The Finance Club's mission is to act as a bridge between the academic and professional world, giving students access to first-hand insights from industry experts. I want to ensure that the members of the club are given access to quality networking opportunities considering the limited availability of in-person interaction with employers right now.
Why did you decide to study an MBA in London?
Imperial College enjoys a distinct location advantage over many other schools. There could not be a better place to pursue an MBA than London - the world’s premier centre for finance. London houses some of the largest Investment Banks and PE/VC players globally and is buzzing with startup activity. The UK alone accounts for 40% of Europe’s total VC investments!
Ten Esan
Nationality: Nigerian
Job prior to the MBA: General Counsel to a Royal Family in West Africa
What are you hoping to achieve on the programme?
Having had a wealth of experience in various industries, ranging from entrepreneurship to legal services, project management and asset management, I felt it was time to bring these experiences together in a cohesive fashion by tracing my personal leadership journey through these roles. I want to both strengthen my finance skillset and be at the forefront of modern trends; facing global issues armed with world-class expertise.
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
When I first came into contact with the Imperial alumni community in my home country, I noticed that most of them were at the forefront in very innovative companies and industries, and this really made an impression on me. They were facing global issues with a sense of clarity and purpose and were leading conversations that weren’t even mainstream yet in the business environment I was in issues such as climate change and corporate sustainability. I wanted to be a part of that.
How do you plan on getting involved in Imperial life outside the MBA?
I am the President of the Africa Business Club. At a time where diversity is a mainstream conversation, this is really exciting for me because I feel there is a lot we can do as a club to genuinely contribute to the conversation within society The committee and I are thrilled at the opportunity to lay out a new paradigm with a strategy we have tagged Africa 2.0, which we hope will be a blueprint for other regional clubs to model themselves on, while also creating value for minorities and people of colour; particularly in industries where minorities are largely underrepresented such as global wealth management.
Published
Blog type
Share
