Before starting the MSc Management at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), I had a fairly technical background. I studied Chemical Engineering for my undergraduate degree, followed by a master’s in Global Sustainability Engineering, which I completed alongside working full-time. Throughout my job, I thoroughly enjoyed the core aspects of engineering and the problem-solving skills that I developed because of it. However, I became increasingly interested in what happens beyond the technical side of organisations is that how businesses make strategic decisions, manage people, develop new ideas and ultimately turn those ideas into successful ventures. This interest led me to pursue the MSc Management at AMBS in Manchester.

One of the main things the MSc Management made me realise was that I did not need to have studied business before to prosper on the course. This was a misconception I initially had when moving from a strong engineering background into management. Throughout the MSc programme, I was introduced to different areas of business, gradually built my understanding of them and began to align my career goals with what I was learning on the course. The range of modules has been one of the aspects I have enjoyed most about the course. Studying areas such as strategy, marketing and accounting gave me a broader foundation in management, while modules in innovation, entrepreneurship, organisational psychology and sustainability allowed me to explore areas that connected more closely with my interests. I particularly enjoyed being able to approach business problems from perspectives that were very different from the technical way I had been used to thinking. Another major part of my experience has been learning from the people around me. AMBS has an incredibly international cohort, and throughout the year I have worked on projects with students from very different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking.

Being an AMBS Student Ambassador has been a rewarding part of my experience. I have had the opportunity to speak with prospective and incoming students and answer their questions about the course, life at AMBS and studying for a master’s in general. Being able to share my experience, clear up some of their uncertainties and hopefully make someone feel a little more confident about starting their journey at AMBS has given me a real sense of satisfaction.

Some of my most valuable experiences at Manchester have actually happened outside the classroom. During the year, I worked with the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre as a Venture Builder Student Ambassador, supporting its Venture Builder programme and working alongside early-stage entrepreneurs. I also contributed to developing resources for founders, which allowed me to take knowledge and skills from my degree and apply them in a practical environment.

Perhaps the biggest impact of the MSc has been on my career direction. I started the programme knowing that I wanted to move beyond a purely technical career, but without having one narrowly defined path in mind. The combination of studying management and gaining practical experience through opportunities such as the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre has helped me develop a much stronger interest in strategy, operations, consulting, innovation and entrepreneurship. In the longer term, I would like to use these experiences to work closely with businesses and eventually support early-stage entrepreneurs in developing and growing their ventures.

If I could give one piece of advice to someone starting the MSc Management at AMBS, it would be to make the most of everything around the degree, not just the degree itself. Attend events, speak to people, join societies, apply for opportunities and do things that might initially be outside your comfort zone. Manchester offers an enormous amount, but you have to be proactive in taking advantage of it. Looking back, the MSc Management has given me much more than additional business knowledge. It has helped me bridge my technical background with management, become more confident working with people from different backgrounds and, most importantly, develop a much clearer idea of where I want to take my career next.

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