Master of Business Administration MBA: After you graduate

"The Kingston MBA changed my way of thinking. I developed a far more critical, analytical and long-range management approach and improved my abilities in the functional areas of finance, marketing, operations and HR. On a personal level, I continue to see members of my student group, and value this support and advice network."

"In my pre-MBA days I remember hoping for promotions at work, a company car and the benefits that promotion would bring, but no matter how much I tried my employers always recruited for the top jobs from the outside.

"Often feeling rejected and having to accept that my bosses' way was right, I thought up excuses that made me feel better about the way things were at work. Eventually I decided that this was wrong – I had to stop blaming myself and others and start doing something positive with my career. I decided to take charge.

"Today it's ten years since I graduated with my MBA from Kingston and my life has changed. I run my own company, I do business around the world, I drive nice cars. I've moved on. Ultimately it's all down to my Kingston MBA, which gave me confidence and proved that I could do more and could look after myself.

"I feel like I wasted a lot of time waiting for things to come my way, but at the grand old age of 39 I don't have to make up excuses anymore. Now I'm in charge of what happens to me."

"After eight years in an international sales position at a medium-sized company, I felt my career was ‘stuck' – in my work, not feeling I was learning a lot any more, and in my position, as there were no promotion opportunities in the short term. There were two alternatives – either I would have to leave the company or start an MBA. I chose the latter.

"I opted for the Kingston MBA programme for three reasons. One was cost; second was reputation and the AMBA accreditation (it was very important to me to choose one distinct from other MBAs); and third, I felt really good about the programme and the people running it.

"The two years at HBS were very enjoyable and passed extremely quickly due to the high-paced programme. Looking back, I now realise that investing in my MBA education is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

"It is not only the content of the programme, but everything around it that shapes you as a person – teamwork, networking, conventional and strategic thinking, learning about all disciplines of the business. Besides that, it is a great boost for your self-confidence and a something that makes your CV stand out. Without an MBA, your career opportunities are limited in international companies.

"When I finished my MBA, I was promoted to director of marketing and secured a substantial pay increase. I stayed three years and then moved on to a large multinational company."