Caroline Hamrén

Caroline Hamrén explains how the Global MBA helped her discover her true potential and find a new entrepreneurial direction

My Global MBA journey

“I had been searching for a business school for my MBA, and I was initially attracted by the flexible delivery of Bayes’ Global MBA (online).

“My life is here in Dubai, and I wasn’t willing to put it all on pause and go to London for a year, so the online format worked really well for me.

“At the time I enrolled, I was working for the Swedish Trade Commissioner to the Middle East.

“We were helping Swedish companies to expand and grow internationally. Although I felt like I’d learned quite a lot on the job from the people around me, it got to a point where I wanted to learn the theory behind what I was doing in practice. Also, because my first degree was in Law, I always felt a little bit on the outside. I wanted to feel like I was contributing to the team based on knowledge and theory, and not just previous experience.”

Balancing work, life and study

“When I started the course, one of the directors said: ‘Life happens. Sometimes you’re ahead, and sometimes you will struggle a little bit, when all the deadlines come when you’re juggling work projects or family events. It’s normal.’ The Bayes staff are very understanding that there is a life outside of the studies and I really appreciated that.

“I became pregnant after my first year on the programme and I decided to take some time out.

Within a week of emailing Bayes to let them know, I was sitting with one of the team having a conversation about the different options. It was all straightforward and very supportive. They also checked in with me a couple of times during my study leave, so I always felt there was great support and care from the administrators.

“It was wonderful and fantastically reassuring – having embarked on the roller coaster journey that is motherhood for the first time, it felt really comforting to have them thinking about me and that I was welcome back whenever I wanted to, and at my pace. I never felt pushed or stressed into doing anything, and I was really excited to return after the break."

A course structure that works

“I think the combination of having set core modules in the first year and then having electives for the second year really makes sense. It forced me to take modules I might not have otherwise taken, and then in the second year you can really tailor your studies towards specific goals.

“In my second year, I took one of the international electives - the Technology and Innovation Tour to Israel and Palestine.

“That was an incredibly important module for me, both professionally and personally. It was the first one I took after having a study break for maternity leave. It was an eye-opening experience, and I learnt a huge amount. It also allowed me to meet others on my course – we all stayed in the same hotel, ate together and did activities together – it was a great bonding experience.

“The Global MBA has a lot of group work, which helps to develop the soft skills and people management skills we need in today’s business world. These days it’s about having a more sustainable approach to business and collaborating online. Having done my MBA online, I feel well prepared for this new reality.”

Contemplating achievements and finding a new direction

“I hadn’t planned to attend my graduation in London, as I had already been to a graduation ceremony at the Barbican for my undergraduate degree with City. My family convinced me to go, and we made a trip out of it. I’m so grateful they did, because there is something very thought-provoking about the occasion – just sitting there in the hall waiting to go up on stage and collect your certificate. It’s an opportunity to contemplate what you’ve done - it gives you an incredible sense of achievement and a real feeling of empowerment – it was a wonderful feeling.

“Prior to doing the MBA, I had never considered myself entrepreneurial or in a position to set something up for myself. Then becoming a mother, I discovered new priorities in life. I now feel confident and capable to take my career in a different direction. Certainly, having done a few of the modules on entrepreneurship, it has given me an eye for finding opportunities. I’m excited to do something which works better for me and my family, and I am currently considering a number of potential start-up ideas which I hope to bring to market in Dubai.

“For anyone contemplating an MBA at Bayes, I’d say ‘Just do it’. No matter what you have going on in your life, you will never have more time than you do now. If you sign up and go for it, you will make it work.

“The person I am after my MBA journey is very different to the one who started it. I’d strongly recommend doing it – no one can ever take knowledge away from you.

“I think it’s very easy in life to take certain roads in your career and get set on a path, but you never really get the time to contemplate and analyse if that’s really what you want to do, because you haven’t seen any other roads. Taking the MBA gave me new perspectives and ways of seeing and living life that I didn’t have before.”