Entering the future, powered by the past Hult Blog

Written by Syed Atique Hussain Naqvi, Global Ambassador and  MBA student in Hult Boston Campus Class of 2017. Albert Einstein once said the only source of knowledge is experience. And education can help enhance both knowledge and experience. When professionals with more than 10 years of experience choose to enrich their experience and knowledge by enrolling in an academic program, they not only enrich themselves but also augment the learning environment for their younger peers. [Tweet Education can help enhance both knowledge and experience.] After working in the news media in India and the Middle East for 16 years, my decision to attend an MBA program in Boston was not easy. To say the least, it’s a calculated risk, and one has to also take into account the opportunity cost of staying away from the professional life for an extended period of time. â€Å"Hult International Business School’s Global One-Year MBA program not only attracts students from across the world but also the students who have a very diverse professional background. Words of renowned British author and poet T.S. Eliot are very inspiring for the people who want to do something ‘different’. Eliot says: â€Å"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.† It takes a lot of courage and due diligence to go into academics as a student after a long stint in the professional world. Hult International Business School’s Global One-Year MBA program not only attracts students from across the world but also students who have very diverse professional backgrounds. In the current MBA Class of 2017, there are students from backgrounds in  media, medical sciences, asset management, marketing, finance, aviation, nuclear sciences, and much more. From left to right: Sameer Sabharwal, Dr Maninder Manihani, Rinku Bakshi, and Syed Atique Hussain Experienced peers The MBA program at Hult is also diverse in terms of the number of years the candidates have spent in their respective fields. Most of the students in the MBA program have five to eight years of experience, while there are few who have more than 10 years of professional experience. As I am part of the latter group, I felt the need to explore and find out the drive of students who come to Hult with a wealth  of experience, and how such candidates maintain a growth mindset and contribute to the learning process. I spoke to some of the MBA students who have spent a significant number of years, like myself, in their respective fields. The aspirations, energy, journeys and motivations of my MBA peers were extremely encouraging and intellectually stimulating. â€Å"I wanted to understand the global business scenario, network with people from around the world and learn entrepreneurial skills to create jobs in my home country† Dr. Maninder Manihani, from India, is a medical doctor who has worked in the healthcare sector for 24 years after completing her medical degree in 1992. Dr. Manihani, MBA 2017 candidate, is at Hult to fulfill her dream of gaining an international degree. About choosing Hult for her MBA degree, she says: â€Å"I wanted to understand the global business scenario, network with people from around the world and learn entrepreneurial skills to create jobs in my home country, and Hult International Business School offers all of that as there is a strong focus on teamwork and practical challenges.† Peter Kelly Kirsch, another MBA candidate, from the United States has more than 10 years of experience in New York’s finance sector. He is at Hult to advance his career, and Mr. Kirsch chose the school because of its international reach. Ms. Bakshi decided to take a sabbatical from work to study, as she feels that global business is an ever-changing field and she needed to learn more about how to add value to her global clients and manage them effectively. With 15 years of experience in the private wealth management industry, Rinku Bakshi from India was working with high-net-worth clients cracking deals for her firm in Bengaluru, or Bangalore. She chose Hult because the school offered a one-year MBA program, which according to her is global, practical and would help her give new perspective and sharpen the set of skills she already possesses. Ms. Bakshi decided to take a sabbatical from work to study as she feels that global business is an ever-changing field and she needed to learn more about how to add value to her global clients and manage them effectively. â€Å"I didn’t want to retire having done  the same things over and over again. I want to do the same things in a different and effective manner for the rest of my career Even Sameer Sabharwal, also from India, took a break from his job in the aviation sector to study at Hult. He has spent 18 years in the industry and specializes in the international cargo segment, and wanted to study at an international business school. â€Å"I didn’t want to retire having done the  same things over and over again, I want to do same things in a different and effective manner for the rest of my career, and that was the motivation behind joining Hult International Business School’s Boston campus,† says Mr Sabharwal, adding that on-the-job learning might make you a good manager but if you want to be an excellent manager then you have to study management in a reputed school and acquire skills that could be applied globally. The dynamics of new challenges In terms of unique challenges at Hult, Mr. Sabharwal says that although Immersion and Mod A were great, Mod B seems to be very challenging but  that’s about to end. â€Å"I want to learn a lot, and a 24-hour day  doesnt  have enough time. I feel if I miss a second, I will miss a  whole world of knowledge.† Ms. Bakshi’s main challenge is time management. â€Å"I want to learn a lot, and a 24-hour day doesn’t have enough time. I feel if I miss a second, I will miss a  whole world of knowledge.† Time is a challenge for Mr. Kirsch as well. â€Å"Managing intense schedules, and coordinating with the various teams and trying to get in sync with calendars of my peers is the biggest challenge.† For Dr. Manihani the unique challenge at Hult is not being able to identify with the set of values that her younger peers follow. â€Å"I am coming to terms with the values the present generation lives by. I have to bear in mind  when  collaborating with them that there are values that I would consider critical but that  they would  deem unimportant.† â€Å"I am building relationships with people from different countries, sharing my life and work experiences, giving honest feedback to teammates and colleagues and leveraging these relationships to promote the values which help us become better human beings.† Speaking about her contribution at Hult, Dr. Manihani says: â€Å"I am building relationships with people from different countries, sharing my life and work experiences, giving honest feedback to teammates and colleagues and leveraging these relationships to promote the values which help us become better human beings.† As Mr. Kirsch has experienced the recent economic recession, he has shared his views and knowledge during class discussions, while Mr. Sabharwal has also shared his in-depth understanding of the aviation sector while doing team projects. Both Ms. Bakshi and Dr. Manihani are of the view that their classmates view them differently, albeit in a positive way. Ms. Bakshi says: â€Å"My teammates respect me and value my opinion highly. As a result, I have mentored a few of my peers during events such as hackathons or business competitions.† On this, Dr. Manihani adds: â€Å"Yes, I get a lot of respect from my classmates. I try to help them whenever I can. I have also identified some future leaders among the Hult students, and I am trying to cultivate personal interactions with them as a friend and mentor.† Value-added learning process Since I joined the school, even my experience at Hult has not been too different from the students mentioned above. I get a lot of respect, and sometimes even questions on writing, journalism, global business, and politics. [Tweet All students at Hult are an asset for the entire learning process.] All students at Hult are an asset for the entire learning process. However, students with loads of experience not only add value to class discussions and teams with their personal stories but could also act as mentors to their willing younger peers. With their choice of Hult students, the admissions team has done a great job in providing an intellectual melody of knowledge and learning. Bravo! If you would like to find out more about our business programs,  download a brochure here. Syed Atique  Hussain is an MBA Candidate at Hult’s Boston campus. He has worked as a journalist in print, broadcast and digital media for 16 years in India, Saudi Arabia and the  United Arab Emirates. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog 5 big reasons why to apply early for your MBA or Masters. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .