Glasgow may seem a significant distance from the Indonesian town in which Adisti Chandra spent much of her childhood. In this issue, we learn what inspired Adisti to cross the globe to study for an MBA and about the changes it galvanised in her career.
“I was suffering from burn out working long hours in a job I didn’t find 100% fulfilling. Having studied international relations I found myself working as a marketing executive in an advertising agency. I knew this wasn’t the right path for me and that I needed to make a change in my working life, but I wasn’t sure how to bring this about.
“I wanted to progress in my career but at the same time I had a desire to travel too. Soon the seed of an idea took shape – to study for an MBA – enabling me to develop my career and see more of the world at the same time.
“The UK and US were my destinations of choice and I started to research colleges and courses. Soon the UK was in pole position due to factors including economy and time – as MBAs in the US are typically studied over several years.
“I was accepted for a number of MBAs in the UK, but the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School soon stood out due to its repeated high ranking in league tables, with the MBA rated particularly highly.
“Before long I was travelling to Glasgow to take up my place, never having been to the UK before. Upon arriving, I was taken aback by the wind and rain, and at first, I found the accent difficult to understand, but I soon discovered what a fantastic place Glasgow is to live and study.
“Living in Glasgow was a very positive experience, much more so than some other cities in which I’ve lived, as it is such a friendly place, offering a great quality of life.
“One factor that marks the Adam Smith Business School MBA out from other MBAs is the small but diverse intake on the course. With around 30 places – a lot of thought is put into who is accepted on to the course.
“Students came from around the globe, including the US, Thailand, India, China and Europe, as well as home students and this diverse intake was enormously valuable, as each person brought something unique to the course.
“Most of my peer group had more experience of the working world than me and I learned a lot from them. It was a very supportive group who encouraged one another.
“My outlook broadened, I learnt to see things from different perspectives and to approach problems from a different angle – all of which have been invaluable in business.
“I relished the learning environment in which we were encouraged to speak up, debate issues and challenge received wisdom. We had some very intense discussions in class.
“I wasn’t used to such a dynamic learning environment and it was a revelation to me. The lecturers took the time to answer our questions, provide feedback and give us 1-2-1 support.
“The small cohort on the course meant the lecturers took the time to get to know us as individuals and provide a level of mentoring which is rare on an MBA. I received help in identifying my strengths and understanding my potential better.
“During the course my analytical skills developed enormously and I learnt to trust my judgement more. Soon I was contributing to the debates as much my fellow students and I grew to love giving presentations.
“English isn’t my first language but I overcame what could have been a barrier and improved my written communications skills. My growing analytical skills informed my essay writing too and I learnt to construct much stronger arguments.
“Approaching things strategically comes easily now and I’m more adaptable than was once the case, with the ability to cope with uncertainty and changing circumstances. I’ve developed the skills to be a leader as well as a team player.
“My people skills are better too, I can put myself in someone else’s shoes see a situation from their perspective and be more empathetic.
“And my improved communication skills mean I’m comfortable meeting new clients and speaking with people at all levels of an organisation.
“The Glasgow MBA has given me a more holistic view of business. Instead of understanding a particular role or facet of a business, I’ve developed a much broader understanding of what it takes to make a business work, from finances to the supply chain or managing international expansion.
“Many of my lecturers had commercial as well as academic experience, providing me with insights I wouldn’t otherwise have had. We also gained vital hands-on experience during the course working in small groups as consultants to a business, in my case a small medical company in Cambridge, providing the opportunity to apply what we had learnt. All in all, I developed a better understanding of what it takes to run a business and how I could best use my skills in that context.
“Lots of practical help was forthcoming too in areas such as CV writing, making the best use of LinkedIn and interview techniques – all have been instrumental in developing my career. The support from the Business School continues today, it’s not something that stops with the last day of the course.
“During the MBA I was fortunate to discover what I feel passionate about – management consultancy – meaning I’ve taken my career in a whole new direction. People are surprised that I’ve progressed from a marketing executive in an advertising agency to a financial adviser at The Big Four and finally a management consultant.
“None of this would have been possible without the Glasgow MBA. One year of study has propelled my career forward in a way which would have taken me years in the workplace.
“Studying for the Glasgow MBA has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. It changed my outlook and helped me become who I am today.
“I’ve since set up a management consultancy in which I specialise in supporting social enterprises. If you’d asked me before I studied for an MBA if this was possible I never would have thought so, but I’ve stepped out on my own, set up a business and I’m helping others to do the same.
“The start-ups I’m advising are social enterprises which have a social, cultural and/or environmental impact making a difference to the communities in which they’re based, so I have the fulfilment that comes from knowing my work has a positive impact.
“I’m using my skills to help others. Whichever project I’m working on; I always keep people at the heart of everything I do.”
