Jan studied by supported learning in conjunction with the Hamburger Akademie für Marketing and Communication, Germany

Jan completed the Bedfordshire Executive MBA in 2010 studying at our partner centre in Hamburg, Germany. He chose the course due to an attractive combination of online and face-to-face study weekends which allowed him to continue working on a full-time position.   

Managing both working and studying at the same time is a difficult task, nevertheless, Jan managed to combine them both. "I have put a lot of focus on the weekends to study as my job requires heavy travel activities [during the week]."  

The course brings together professionals from different backgrounds and industries and Jan said he "enjoyed most being part of a group with different backgrounds and mentalities". He also felt that working with other students who came from different business and industries was a good experience and through this Jan learned about different views and ways of tackling issues.  

Jan joined the MBA programme hoping it would help him progress in his company and he first started to implement the newly acquired knowledge while he was still on the course. Jan said: "due to the MBA I was excellently prepared to take an active part in the implementation of operational improvement processes. Additionally, the financial knowledge I have gained during the MBA helped me in understanding financial drives and triggers."  

Convinced of the leverage the MBA has given him, Jan has been promoted to Managing Director in his company. He also believes that the course has helped him grow as a leader: "Without the MBA I wouldn't be able to perform in my current role. I am responsible for a number of employees and without the MBA and its focus on leadership I would have been doomed to failure."  

Following the completion of the MBA course Jan is looking to further develop within the company. His personal career aspiration is to become a senior member of the board at the company where he works.

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