- One must evaluate where he or she is now and project where he or she wants to be tomorrow when choosing to pursue an MBA.
- At least know someone who has come out successful from a program and school you have chosen
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Nelson Amenya was at an admirable phase of his career, working as a manager in a multinational company, when he decided to call it quits just to go back to class.
Having risen ranks from junior officer to Senior manager, Amenya's career was on an upward trajectory.
Considering the job market dynamics and limited opportunities, his decision to quit at the managerial level to focus on studies was a daring move that would leave anyone doubting his decision.
In September 2023, Amenya left Kenya for France to pursue an MBA (Master of Business Administration) at HEC Paris.
The Star had an interview with him during which he unpacked the inspiration that saw him leave employment and how one can get it right as far as pursuing an MBA in a foreign country is concerned.
Your career was on an upward trajectory and very promising. You were in a position any man of your age would dream of; good job and good perks. How did you process the idea of quitting for books?
Speaking with a recruitment manager a year early gave me an idea of how I could leverage my strengths such as career progression and international exposure if I pursued an MBA program abroad. For that reason, I weighed my chances and took a leap of faith to quit and go back to school to gain business insights to be a catalyst for me to transition to strategic management focusing on sustainable development in the global south.
You are pursuing a master's program on a subject that is not related to what you did in your undergraduate. What is the motivation?
Having been in the job market for some time, studying the job market dynamics and with further consultations, I was convinced the Master of Business Administration program was the right fit for me to achieve my short-term and long-term career goals. This was key in positioning me as a unique applicant coming from a graphic design background (it’s rare for graphic designers to apply to business schools). One must evaluate where he or she is now, careerwise, and project where he or she wants to be tomorrow when choosing what to pursue for an MBA.
Where does one start when it comes to picking the right course and university for an MBA program abroad?
The first step is to conduct some basic research online on the global Masters programs and what you intend to achieve. The next step will be to identify potential schools and talk to them to understand if your goals align with what the school offers. They say a master's program is mostly about networking. For me, I also reached out to graduates and current students of my current school on Linkedin. We had candid conversations on the matter before I eventually made my decision.
How did you end up picking your current MBA program?
Both the current and former regional directors in my former company are alumni of my current school. That is how I learned more about the school. They offered invaluable advice and support when I informed them of my plans. From there, I spoke to graduates and students from the university. Speaking with them helped me understand what they liked the most about the program, how I could position myself with my story and my post-MBA goals, and most importantly how I could prepare for the interviews. At least know someone who has come out successful from the MBA program and school you have chosen. Engage them and ensure you gather is really what you want.
After picking your Ideal university for an MBA program, What next?
Reach out to the recruitment team: Recruiters are very helpful whenever one has questions regarding the GRE test, admissions, interviews, etc. I remember mine encouraged me to apply although I had a GRE score slightly lower than the standard mark and she told me the GRE is not all they look for but just one of the criteria. I explained my situation of preparing for the test amid a busy work schedule. A recruiter will help you maneuver the next process of admission, funding and any other step to follow, sometimes they will come to recruitment fairs in Nairobi and they are more than happy to meet anyone interested.
How are you financing your MBA? What are tips to get scholarships for such programs?
Financing an MBA can be a daunting task. Getting admitted into a top program almost guarantees your chances of being able to fund your studies. Some schools offer diversity, excellence, and women in leadership scholarships through various foundations that can significantly decrease your fees by up to 50%. The second funding option is student loans from partner institutions i.e. Prodigy Finance and Lendwise UK. I got my funding through Lendwise UK which was more than willing to finance my MBA after my admission. However; I used my savings plus contributions from family and friends for the application process, my first deposit, and part of my living expenses. The student loan in most cases will settle your tuition fees on some occasions it can cover your living expenses. The key point is to save something and have money in place for any eventuality.
What can you say about your experience so far?
Since I began my journey in September 2023, It has been full of intense coursework, learning from a diverse cohort that is extremely talented and possesses expertise in Finance, Law, Engineering, Marketing, Tech, consulting and so much more. The professors have taken us on a roller coaster of knowledge and information learning completely new concepts and theories that are critical to aspiring business leaders in all industries. Away from class, we have made visits to various palaces the most significant being the famous Palace of Versailles with a rich history of France that dates back to the 1600s. We have experienced the French culture of cheese and wines too. It is good to go through such experiences because they prepare you for the job market in the host country, just in case you wish to settle.
You are months into the program. What do you think you got right and wrong in your journey to this MBA program?
I am glad I chose this program. It has exceeded many of my expectations. That is a big score for me. What I didn’t expect was the intense nature of the program, but it's part of the learning experience to be able to adapt to a different environment from what I have been used to for many years.
How do you blend easily with students from other foreign countries in terms of beating the language barrier and different cultures?
The diversity from the cohort is outstanding, we have an average of 50 different nationalities. You get to eat foods from all around the world. Our common language is English but you get to appreciate that this is not everyone’s first language and we all have different accents from our languages. This calls for one to be flexible, and aggressive and find ways to make interactions easier. For me, I was able to cope quickly and this December I was elected VP of Impact project in the MBA student leadership council, I also hold a VP position in the Africa club leadership. This is an opportunity for me in addition to coursework to foster my leadership capabilities and personal development as well as create more meaningful connections with the team through collaborative projects.
How do you plan to bounce back to the top-level position? You don't fear being unemployed after the completion of this MBA program?
An MBA is a globally recognized degree, often considered essential to obtain top-level management positions in many fields, and you instantly gain prominence in the global job market. The adaptability of this degree is why many of the best business schools offer MBA courses and why most students who graduate with this degree can gain prestigious job positions within a matter of years. The global rate of MBA admissions can tell a lot about the success and potential future of the degree and those interested in studying it. The beauty is that an MBA allows a candidate to pivot to any industry, function, and geography after the degree program and this gives massive flexibility in job hunting. Top-tier consulting firms are also known to hire directly from MBA schools. I have no iota of doubt that I will have better job offers upon completion of this program.