Embracing the MBA experience holistically rather than merely fulfilling degree requirements is what distinguishes Sitong He, a Chinese Full-time MBA student at ESMT Berlin. She shares how maximizing the opportunities in an MBA program can significantly enhance one’s journey as a global leader.
Some people tip-toe around their MBA experience. They tick off what’s necessary to achieve their MBA degree and move on in their career. But not Sitong He, a Full-time MBA student at the European School of Management and Technology, better known as ESMT Berlin.
Sitong believes in the advantages of immersing yourself fully and taking every opportunity an MBA program can give you. Because while classroom learning provides a necessary foundation, the real transformative power of an MBA journey lies in the diverse range of experiences available outside formal education.
ESMT Berlin is a highly-ranked business school and is the number one school in Germany. Part of its quality is its robust offering of extracurricular activities. These offerings include networking events, student associations, career services, and hands-on industry projects, such as their social impact fellowship.
Sitong explains how enriching these experiences have been for her throughout her MBA, helping her grow beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Here are five ways in which Sitong has maximized ESMT Berlin’s resources for career development beyond the classroom.
MBA students at ESMT Berlin are encouraged to expand beyond their comfort zones and address their experience gaps. Educating oneself in unexplored areas helps nurture a well-rounded skill set and unlock more career potential.
ESMT’s diverse curriculum and extracurricular activities offer a wealth of opportunities for students to explore.
“ESMT Berlin gives us so many opportunities to explore different industries, different sectors … and that’s something very rare for people who have been working many years on the same path,” Sitong points out. (09:30)
So dive into something new. Get uncomfortable. Do things you normally wouldn’t. In short, use your MBA experience to explore new sides to you.
If you strive to become a global leader, your MBA program is the best place to start acting like one. Leaders start things, and that’s what Sitong did when she decided to revamp ESMT Berlin’s Consulting Club, becoming its co-president.
Taking ownership and leading these student organizations allows students to complement and develop their degrees with real-life experiences.
“It’s very fulfilling to see that you can use what you’ve learned at school,” Sitong says. “To put it into practice and solve real-life business problems.” (08:15)
ESMT Berlin has a wide range of student clubs and associations that encourage direct involvement and participation from students. Don’t see the club you’re looking for? Then simply start it yourself!
The rigorous curriculum of ESMT Berlin’s Full-Time MBA and all the available extracurricular opportunities, can lead to overwhelming busy schedules.
“It’s very demanding, especially the first three months. We have classes from nine to five, then afterward, you have to do group projects and also individual assignments. Besides that, you also have your own responsibilities, like, for example, I have the club requirements. Also, you have to spend time to network and build your connections. So it’s definitely very overwhelming in the beginning,” Sitong explains. (11:32)
In order to navigate the demanding workload, learning to say “No,” and prioritize effectively is a critical skill for ESMT Berlin MBA students. Setting clear boundaries and understanding personal limitations are crucial for an aspiring leader.
“I don’t like confrontation, I don’t like conflicts. It’s a very nice challenge to have to learn to prioritize and also learn to say ‘No’ to things, ” Sitong tells us. (13:11)
While many enter their MBA with a well-defined game plan, being open to new opportunities can lead to transformative outcomes. Throughout the program, ESMT’s career services encourage students to explore diverse career paths that align with their passions and aspirations.
“Personally speaking, I grew up in Asia, and as an Asian, I’m used to always going for the big name companies. But from my interaction with my career coach, she basically just reminded me that eventually, you don’t want to just have a job, you want to be happy. You want to have a career where you feel fulfilled,” says Sitong. (08:54)
“Just pause for a second and really think about what you want for your long-term career path,” Sitong suggests. (09:56)
ESMT Berlin’s Full-Time MBA attracts one of the world’s most diverse classes, with 90-95% of international students. In a melting pot of nationalities and cultural backgrounds, and ideologies, students learn to appreciate and leverage these differences.
As someone who strives to become a global leader, Sitong was attracted by the ESMTs numerous opportunities for international exposure.
“I came to ESMT in order to gain more experience. Not only working with people from different backgrounds, but also to be in an international hub of technology, politics, and culture, in order to gain these more international experiences,” she explains. (02:19)
Engaging with peers from various cultures offers valuable insights into global business practices, unwritten rules, and challenges. Working in diverse environments breaks down cultural barriers and fosters more inclusive leadership.
If you’d like to fully unlock the boundless growth opportunities an MBA offers, make sure to implement these valuable lessons. And put into practice the essential skills that will be expected from you as a global leader of the future.
You can also connect with Sitong and other ESMT Berlin student ambassadors to gain further insight and advice into becoming a global leader.
