Time jugglers, mothers, and entrepreneurs How EMBA women do it all

In today’s increasingly complex world, time is something most people wish they had more of. If we aren’t busy trying to excel at work, climb the corporate ladder, or expand our business, we are trying to see friends and family, squeeze in that gym session, or find time to better ourselves through hobbies or volunteer work. The old saying that there are too few hours in the day rings true for almost everyone I know. So how can someone manage to earn a business degree on top of everything else? Hults  Global Executive MBA  program gives candidates a flexible platform to help balance academic aspirations with personal and professional obligations. But it doesn’t pretend to be easy.  The program is designed to challenge and stretch you—its tough as well as rewarding. I had the pleasure of speaking to several women who have successfully completed their EMBA and, along with their enhanced professional credentials, they can add yet another skill to their already glowing resumes: time juggler extraordinaire. Not for the fainthearted All of the women I interviewed were looking for a program that would push them out of their comfort zones and get them to fundamentally reexamine their careers and ways of doing business. For them, the Hult EMBA certainly delivered on that promise. â€Å"When I set foot in Hult for the very first time, I thought I had everything figured out, Fatima Abdulrahman, Class of 2017, explains. But I really had no idea. Embarking on a degree is a big commitment, especially as lots of the women who participate tend to be in established careers with busy home lives, often with young children. My interviewees certainly didn’t shy away from talking about the pressures that come along with this commitment. For Fatima, she also had to manage the personal challenge of working around Ramadan, often having to go straight into meetings with her team after breaking her fast. Nevertheless, what I got out of the program was far greater than what I envisioned for myself, says Fatima. What I got out of the program was far greater than what I envisioned for myself. Fatima Abdulrahman, EMBA Class of 2017 The  sense of enrichment and achievement became a common theme in my conversations. Olimpia Mascolo, Class of 2017, is an entrepreneur from a creative background. While pursuing her EMBA at Hult, she worked with engineers, consultants, and finance experts. This exposure to people from different walks of professional life ultimately helped to shape her leadership style and enrich her business knowledge. The EMBA has given me a new perspective, enhanced my analytical skills, and generally broadened my understanding of business, Olimpia says. Time is of the essence As with most things in life, it transpires that forward planning goes a long way. The formal portion of the Hult EMBA is delivered over four days every month for two years. The consensus was that, with some careful diary management, this is very achievable, even if you do have to factor in international travel to and from campus. EMBA candidates also need to do a reasonable amount of  self-directed learning.  This is where some serious time-management skills come in. Sacrifices inevitably have to be made to ensure deadlines are met. This is something entrepreneur  Monica Muriel, Class of 2016, certainly discovered. When she embarked on the course, she already had one young daughter and was pregnant with her second child. It’s definitely tough juggling being a mum—a pregnant one at that—and doing the EMBA, she admits. I didn’t realize that I would have to start quitting and re-prioritizing other things in my life and create new routines. It’s totally possible—it’s just about getting into good habits. After finishing the course, you truly realize how much free time you have! Although social time is often the first thing to disappear when we’re busy, there are ways to ensure that it isn’t all work and no play. Fatima would sometimes call her friends to check if they had anything to work on. If they did, she’d suggest meeting up to work together. Even if comfy sofas, restaurants, and bars were swapped for library desks, Fatima found a way to have company while she worked and make studying social. It’s totally possible—it’s just about getting into good habits. Monica Muriel, EMBA Class of 2016 Designed for busy professionals For Fatima, her choice of business school was guided by two things. The first was global ranking and accreditation, both of which Hult scores highly in. The second was the flexibility and convenience of the teaching and learning schedule. She preferred Hult’s method of four high-intensity days on campus followed by a period of self-learning and reflection, rather than having to attend more evening classes after long days at work. She felt the latter option would have inevitably meant she arrived on campus more tired and less motivated to learn. Plus, she would have missed out on the teamwork side of things. In fact, feeling part of an EMBA family was regularly cited as one of the program’s most invaluable features. â€Å"I entered Hult alone and left with many friends, Fatima explains. A real sense of community develops among the participants during these long weekends, as they are all in the same boat, striving towards similar goals, and managing the conflicting pressures on their time. Its clear that a huge amount of professional respect is engendered. No pain, no gain So it is clear that the Hult EMBA is no walk in the park. But the overriding message from speaking to female graduates is to take that leap and go for it.  Don’t forget to focus on what you ultimately want to achieve from the program—the sacrifices are temporary but the benefits are long-lasting. An EMBA degree can come with a serious  return on investment. Both the hard and soft skills acquired on the course can be applied in the workplace immediately and for years and years after your last piece of coursework has been handed in. Olimpia credits her Hult journey for teaching her courage, humility, and discipline—all skills that have since helped improve her own business venture. So, how can you do it all as an EMBA candidate?  Manage your time, get into good working habits, and embrace those â€Å"marathon† four-day sessions with your peers. You will come away with much more than you could ever have imagined. The sacrifices are temporary but the benefits are long-lasting. Ready to learn more about Hult’s innovative and flexible Global Executive MBA program?  Download a brochure. Decided now is the time to invest in yourself and your career?  Submit your application today. Make the most of what your career has to offer with a Masters in International Business from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog The ROI of Hult’s Global Executive MBA, or give your employability a huge boost with an MBA in international business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .