My EMBA journey with Bayes

My name is Natalie Bonnick and I am a Supply Chain Management Consultant at Jacobs. I am currently the Head of Supply Chain Development at the Lower Thames Crossing, a major infrastructure project for National Highways.

I had debated applying for an Executive MBA for some time, and choosing Bayes was certainly the right decision. I began my course in September 2023 and launched straight into a wide variety of modules including strategic leadership, marketing and data analytics. The course content truly broadens your mind - each week I reflect on the new theories and concepts I have learnt and have the opportunity to immediately apply these learnings in the workplace.

Supportive community and career guidance

The relationship that you build with the lecturers and faculty at Bayes really does enhance your experience. The course content is delivered in such an engaging way and the professors are always on hand to offer guidance and support. Since joining the programme back in September, I have also had a coaching session with the Careers Team. Part of the appeal of undertaking an EMBA is access to professional guidance and a network of successful alumni. The Careers team at Bayes adopt a personalised approach for each student, tailoring resources and advice to best suit the needs of individuals. I had only recently joined a new company and so the Careers Team focused their advice on how to navigate a large multinational organisation, development of clear goals and understanding my professional drivers. The support I continue to receive from the Careers Team is invaluable.

At Bayes, many of the assignments are group-based and so you can work collaboratively with people from a variety of backgrounds. I have learnt so much from the people in my class and also made some wonderful friends.

Global Women’s Leadership Programme

I am honoured to be a recipient of the Global Women’s Leadership Programme (GWLP) Scholarship. As a scholar for the GWLP, I have had the opportunity to network with scholars in other cohorts, alumni and wider faculty. I also sit on the Executive Board, which provides me with a great insight into the running of the programme and the initiatives that we sponsor to help address gender discrimination. I recently spoke at a GWLP event about ‘finding our purpose’ and met some truly inspiring women from all walks of life who have now become key champions in my professional network. I am currently preparing to moderate an event marking International Women’s Day in March. These are just a few opportunities that I have grasped since joining Bayes only a few months ago.

Finding the balance between work and studies

Undertaking an EMBA is no mean feat. I had spoken to numerous friends and colleagues who had previously studied MBAs before I applied, and each had warned me that balancing work and studies (as well as your social life) is a challenge…and they weren’t wrong! Working full time alongside studying for an EMBA is all-consuming, however, with careful time management and organisation, you can stay on top of all your commitments. I have also really valued the support of my peers. At Bayes, many of the assignments are group-based and so you can work collaboratively with people from a variety of backgrounds. I have learnt so much from the people in my class and also made some wonderful friends. The social scene at Bayes reinforces these friendships - we all know how to work hard and dedicate ourselves to our studies, but we also know how to let our hair down and celebrate our successes.

Good leadership and gender equality

I believe that the best leaders are those who lead with humility and empathy. The best leaders instil confidence and build capability in those around them, championing the success of others.

I work in an industry where there is huge gender disparity. Much more needs to be done to truly work towards gender equality across leadership roles, from grassroots outreach to recruitment drives, from policy changes to sponsorship programmes. As I continue to progress in my career, I will always remember the quote ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ - it’s our responsibility to ensure that the talent of tomorrow have every opportunity to succeed.

Find out more about the Bayes Global Women's Leadership Programme and our scholars.