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This year, we welcomed the Weekend MBA class of 2024-25 to Imperial College Business School. Stepping up to the challenge of a part-time MBA while continuing to work, the group embark on a journey that will transform their lives both personally and professionally in 23 months.
The part-time format of the Weekend MBA sees students study a blended programme where they combine on-campus study sessions for one weekend a month in London, with remote study in their own time. An efficient route to C-suite level, Weekend MBA students will advance their management and leadership skills to become well-rounded leaders.
This display of commitment running up to the start of the programme, crafting the perfect application, impressing in interviews and completing pre-study modules, places them in good stead to succeed and grow throughout the programme. Already making waves in their own careers, we find out more about this impressive class and what led them to join Imperial College Business School.
The part-time MBA class at a glance
This year 85 students have joined the Weekend MBA; the cohort (33% being female) has an average of eight years' work experience and counting. The part-time format of the programme means they will continue to work in their current roles and apply what they learn in the classroom from the outset.
The majority of the cohort hail from Europe and the UK (33% and 29% respectively) and one third of this year’s class are from further afield, committing to the Weekend MBA from Asia/Pacific (22%), Africa & the Middle East (9%), and the Americas (7%).
The diversity continues to trickle down into the industries that our students have built they careers in. While the three most common industries are IT/tech/telecoms (24%), banking/finance (17%) and consulting (14%), the remaining 45% have experience in a vast range of areas like engineering, pharma/biotech/healthcare and energy. This diverse range of experience is bound to bring unique takes in every class and discussion!
What lies in the years ahead?
After establishing a foundational knowledge through their pre-study modules, the students kicked off the start of their programme with an induction week on campus. This consisted of a variety of introductory lectures, meeting faculty and socialising with fellow students.
The programme then begins with core modules that focus on key management theory. Each module provides an in-depth foundation of business theory and practice, with opportunities to test understanding through case studies and simulations throughout.
Once the foundations have been laid, the students will choose six electives. This freedom to tailor their programme means they can specialise in the following areas:
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Analytics and Operations
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Entrepreneurship and Innovation
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Finance
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Leadership and Organisation
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Marketing
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Strategy
Developing an international outlook is crucial for students who want to become future leaders. Therefore, exploring global markets is a core element of the programme. The Global Experience Week is an opportunity for Weekend MBA students to discover a new business market, learn from innovative businesses and explore a different culture. Past Global Experience Weeks have included the Nordics, Brazil, and Kenya, where students explored how businesses can be transformed to tackle climate action.
An individual final project at the end of the second year marks the end of the programme. Students can put what they’ve learned into practice and create real strategic value for their employers.
By the end of the programme, the cohort will have transformed personally and professionally, armed with an extensive toolkit that will allow them to enact impactful change throughout their careers.
Sławomir Rybacki
Nationality: Polish
Company and role: Senior Marketplace Manager, CEE at Uber
Education: Glasgow Caledonian University, MSc International Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of Economics in Katowice, BEng Logistics
Can you share a brief overview of your professional background?
My professional background spans project management, operations management, and strategic consulting with companies such as Unilever, Amazon, Rolls-Royce, DSV, McKinsey, and now Uber. I currently hold the position of Senior Marketplace Manager for the Central and Eastern Europe region, where I ensure the optimal performance of the markets within this area.
What motivated you to pursue a Weekend MBA?
My motivation to pursue a Weekend MBA has three aspects:
- I am passionate about continuous learning and believe the MBA will make my profile more well-rounded by closing potential knowledge gaps. Although I have diverse experience, I recognise areas in business where I feel less confident and want to address these gaps to approach problems more holistically and contribute positively to my company and society.
- The MBA at Imperial College Business School offers knowledge from top scholars across business disciplines, enriched by interactions with like-minded individuals, which vastly expands the perspective through which one can view any business problem.
- The part-time format allows me to work while studying, applying classroom lessons to real-time business operations, which has already proven beneficial in my day-to-day duties.
What do you hope to learn or achieve during your time in the MBA programme?
My primary goal is to enhance my leadership skills and prepare for more senior roles by gaining a broader perspective on best business practices, strategic decision-making, and innovative approaches to challenges. I also aim to deepen my understanding of several topics, such as marketing strategy and financial management. The case study method, discussions with professors and peers, and the diversity of the cohort will make this journey transformative both professionally and personally, reshaping my values and the questions I consider throughout my career.
Laura Scavino
Nationality: Italian, British
Company and role: Data & AI and GenAI GTM Lead, Accenture
Education: University of Kent, MSc International Business Management
Can you share a brief overview of your professional background?
I am responsible for the Data & AI Go-to-Market (GTM) function for the Aerospace & Defence and Life Science industries at Accenture UK. In my role, I focus on driving innovative solutions and strategies to meet the evolving needs of clients, utilising various tools to leverage Data and Generative AI. My responsibilities include supporting go-to-market initiatives, managing client relationships, and contributing to the growth and success of our Data & Analytics practice.
What motivated you to pursue a Weekend MBA?
I'm deeply driven to effect meaningful change through technology, innovation, and leadership. In my career spanning consulting, data, and AI, I've pursued opportunities to make positive impacts and contribute innovative solutions to pressing challenges, including AI's impact on daily life. Imperial College Business School offers a unique chance to further develop my skills, expand my knowledge, and build my network through learning from world-class faculty and collaborating with diverse professionals.
I'm immensely proud of the opportunities provided by Imperial, including becoming an Ambassador, receiving the Women’s Excellence Scholarship, and being nominated as Chair of the Student Staff Committee by the Weekend MBA class.
Upon completing the programme, my goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of various business management aspects, empowering me to approach challenges with clarity and develop innovative, tangible solutions. I aim to apply these insights to my work in Technology, Data & AI, and Go-to-Market Strategy, emerging as a strategic thinker, effective leader, and impactful change-maker.
What global experience are you looking forward to the most and why?
I eagerly anticipate the Global Experience Week and the Capstone Project. These experiences offer invaluable opportunities to apply the knowledge gained during my MBA studies to real-world scenarios. During the Global Experience Week, I look forward to immersing myself in diverse cultures and business practices abroad, broadening my perspectives and honing cross-cultural communication skills. Similarly, the Capstone Project presents a chance to tackle complex business issues alongside industry professionals, applying theoretical concepts to deliver impactful solutions. These global experiences represent the pinnacle of experiential learning, and I am excited to embrace the challenges and opportunities they offer.
Daniel Forman
Nationality: British
Company and role: Global Marketing Manager, GSK
Education: BSc Biology
Can you share a brief overview of your professional background?
I have an undergraduate degree in Biology and nine years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, working for two multinational organisations. I've held sales and marketing roles at both local and regional levels. Currently, I am a Global Marketing Manager at GSK in the Oncology therapy area, where I collaborate closely with teams across various countries to support local product launches.
What motivated you to pursue a Weekend MBA?
My motivation for pursuing the Weekend MBA programme is to develop a skill set that supports my current role and prepares me to achieve my future career ambitions. As a life sciences graduate working in the pharmaceutical industry, I see the WMBA programme at Imperial College Business School as an excellent opportunity to deepen my understanding of business principles and enhance my leadership capabilities.
How do you plan to manage your MBA studies, home-life, and your job?
I've found a great balance by dedicating weekday evenings to working on deadlines and reviewing case study pre-reading material for classes. It has been useful to plan my workload each week, with the aim of completing small tasks each day. I'm also grateful to be part of an amazing Weekend MBA cohort.
Anubhav Saxena
Nationality: Indian
Company and role: FactSet Research Systems, Software Engineer
Education: Purdue University, BSc in Computer Science with a minor in Psychology
Can you share a brief overview of your professional background?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Purdue University in the United States, I began my career as a Software Engineer at FactSet Research Systems in Chicago. Working at the intersection of technology and finance provided an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of both fields.
After two years at FactSet, I relocated to Seattle to develop Amazon's next-generation distribution software, which offered me invaluable insight into how industry leaders enter new markets and prioritise innovation. Returning to FactSet in London has allowed me to gain substantial exposure to a new region and market, and I continue to work on increasingly important projects.
What motivated you to pursue a Weekend MBA?
Imperial's world-class business education and enriching environment perfectly complement my strong technical background, enabling me to advance my career into a managerial role and, in the future, focus on my entrepreneurial ambitions. One of the key factors behind my decision to pursue the Weekend MBA was its structure, as the schedule and design allow me to work towards the MBA while remaining employed full-time. The ability to implement lessons from the classroom into my job from day one is a significant advantage of the Weekend MBA programme.
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