Pawarisa “Risa” Surajaras recently completed the MBA journey at the University of Bath School of Management. Discover how upskilling and adding business acumen to her arts background elevated her corporate communication skills.
As a specialist in your field, how could expanding your understanding of business management benefit your career?
This is what Pawarisa “Risa” Surajaras considered after starting her career in corporate communications from a background in arts. “I was not able to keep up with my colleagues in terms of understanding what is going on in the business world,” Risa says. (01:02)
She often worked with executives in the C-suite, which entailed understanding and communicating what was going on in the business at a deeper level. She quickly needed to understand business functions and language to build her expertise and engage confidently with coworkers.
Communication specialists with a comprehensive understanding of business strategy can more easily provide relevant information to decision-makers and clients. Thankfully an MBA equips students with the business acumen to share crucial insights and influence stakeholders effectively.
Motivated by the desire to further her career in communications, Risa decided to join the Full-Time MBA at the University of Bath School of Management. Having previously lived in the UK, she was familiar with the university’s stellar reputation (top 10 in the UK), and the city’s charm.
Let’s explore how expanding your business knowledge, as Risa did, can open new doors.
Why is developing business acumen so beneficial for technical and specialized employees? Simply put, it allows them to have a greater impact through their work.
Understanding the “big picture” and grasping how your work fits into certain business situations is a useful skill. This acumen opens a window to the diverse tapestry of stakeholder needs and priorities, paving the way for informed, strategic decision-making that propels businesses forward.
The key to mastering it? There is no secret here. As you get acquainted with business fundamentals, you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and learn by doing.
The MBA program at the University of Bath distinguishes itself with the Multi-Project Suite. Leaving behind the traditional end-of-year project model, students participate in four projects: Consulting in action, Change in action, Entrepreneurship in action, and the Integrated project. These are real-world projects designated with corporate partners.
The final Integrated project enables students to put theory into practice with hands-on experience to consolidate core learning and skills acquired throughout the 12-month program.
In Risa’s case, the strong business acumen acquired in the Full-Time MBA provided her with a panoramic understanding of the intricacies of doing business. By the time of the Consulting in action project, she was ready to contribute.
“As I’ve said, I’m from the arts field, and consultancy or anything about strategy is far away for me,” Risa explains. “Being put in a situation where I had to work with a client, it’s a really hands-on experience … That’s the first time I ever felt confident doing a consultancy project.” (03:18)
This two-week-long business consulting project involves working with local companies to solve a specific challenge.
The experience solidified her belief that she had more to contribute to her professional career.
The charming city of Bath surrounds the valuable hands-on learning offered in the Bath MBA. The city is highly alluring for international students like Risa and is a gateway to travel and explore other European countries easily.
“Just walking down there feels like you’re walking in a fairy tale,” Risa says. (06:01)
Risa describes Bath as a picturesque and student-friendly town that she always felt safe exploring. In fact, in 2023, the Complete University Guide ranked it as the second safest university town or city in the UK.
Bath is the only city in the UK designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. It is special not only because of its beautiful architecture and rich history but also because it harbors a vibrant business community. The new School of Management building offers an open, flexible, and collaborative space connecting the university and business communities.
As Risa reflects on her future, she advises potential candidates to consider the expansive power of an MBA as a way to grow.
“Don’t restrict yourself in doing something or be scared of doing new things because it’s the only time that you will get to do things that you never imagined in your life.” (07:05)
If you want to hear directly from other Bath MBA students and get an insider’s perspective about what it’s like to live and study in the beautiful city of Bath, don’t hesitate to contact one of their ambassadors.
