Tatiana Ryabinina

Programme: Modular Executive MBA, 2020
Nationality: Russian
Pre-MBA: Senior Project Manager – International and Global Brands, LEAP, London, UK
Post-MBA: Management Consultant and Director, Grow-thru, London, UK
Current industry: Consulting
Transition: Industry

“If I could do it again I would!”

I couldn’t see what to do next, and then my cousin suggested an MBA.

I was at a cross-cultural marketing consultancy in London – it was very exciting and super creative, working with global brands. And then the company was acquired by an advertising production company and everything changed. I didn’t want to be in advertising or progress to account management. I felt stuck. My cousin, who’d transformed her career, was telling me I needed to do an MBA, so I started to look into it.

A programme structured around my work schedule.

The alumni stories on the Bayes website resonated with me, so I got in touch and attended a few open events. They gave me such a good insight into the programme and learning environment and got me fired up about getting started.

Initially I was going to quit my job and do a Full-time MBA, but the Modular Executive MBA meant I could keep working – I liked the idea of being able to totally focus on my course at weekends. It was a natural fit.

The programme is so well designed in the way it builds your knowledge.

It was so engaging and interactive. You learn from very supportive and extremely professional faculty who know so much and combine different methods. They create this incredible environment that encourages an explorer mindset, so you approach everything with an open mind and find things that are interesting in every subject.

I didn’t expect to learn so much so quickly. It’s a small, diverse, international cohort from lots of different industries and cultures, and they expose you to brilliant new ideas and ways of doing things. Because you’re working as well, you can then apply those ideas in the workplace.

Halfway through the course I changed jobs. The Careers and Professional Development Team was invaluable.

One of the modules focused on digital technologies and that got me very excited. I decided this was something I wanted to learn more about, so I decided to change jobs.

The team helped me rewrite my CV and prepare for an interview. The events they ran were excellent. One of them was on transitioning into tech – exactly what I needed! They also offered workshops that allowed you to focus on your personal development – I feel like I improved every aspect of myself.

I never thought I’d start my own business – and I wouldn’t have done without the Bayes MBA.

My first module was my favourite – strategy. It changed the way I see things – it overarches everything else in business. So after finishing the MBA, I decided to launch my own strategy and management consultancy, which helps companies enter new international markets.

I’ve been on a journey of discovery; the programme helped me understand my strengths, what drives me and what I wanted. I couldn’t have done this without the Bayes MBA.

Even though I’ve finished, I’m still learning – thanks to the free electives.

I loved the MBA so much, if I could do it again I would! Fortunately, Bayes offers free elective modules to alumni, which means you can continue your education after your MBA. They’ve helped me a lot. So far I’ve chosen New Venture Creation, which helped me set up my business, and Change Management, which I opted for just before I took on a change assignment with a client.

It’s great to return, learn new skills and meet friends old and new. I recently connected with an entrepreneur who was here and I’m learning a lot from him. That’s the advantage of the alumni network.