A Brunel Business School MBA: Your Path to Career Transformation
Lebanese MBA graduate Tala Aneyceh shares her inspiring journey from Lebanon to a global FMCG career, showcasing how a Brunel Business School MBA, in the United Kingdom, transformed her professional trajectory. “My career journey really changed before and after the MBA,” Tala shares. (00:23)
She credits the program for enhancing her technical knowledge and fostering her ability to adapt and thrive in international business environments. The rigorous curriculum and real-world projects gave her critical insights into strategic decision-making and global market dynamics.
Brunel Business School’s emphasis on leadership and multicultural collaboration played a key role in helping Tala transition into an international role with confidence.
Why Tala Chose Brunel: Accreditation, Access, and Opportunity
Before joining Brunel Business School’s MBA program in September 2022, Tala worked in smaller organizations within Lebanon’s market. She wanted an international MBA program to transition into corporate roles in a country with greater career opportunities.
“Accreditation for me was very important, and I know that Brunel’s MBA program is twice accredited by two different organizations, and it is high ranking,” Tala explains. (01:46)
Affordability was another important factor in Tala’s decision-making. For example, Brunel’s tuition fees are lower as compared to other UK schools such as Oxford and Cambridge. “You get equal opportunities and equal quality for a much more flexible budget,” she adds. (02:11)
Brunel Business School’s accreditations are another advantage. The school is accredited by AMBA (Association of MBAs) and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business). This ensures that students receive a high-quality, world-class education. Furthermore, the school’s focus on practical learning and real-world business challenges equips students with skills directly applicable in corporate environments.
This combination of accreditation, affordability, and industry relevance makes Brunel Business School a compelling choice for aspiring business leaders like Tala.
Leadership in Action: Powerful Lessons for Real-World Success
Outside of the classroom, Tala’s role as class representative allowed her to unlock her leadership potential. She reflects, “I learned…that I can truly lead and drive impact, and I can influence, that’s something I didn’t know [before].” (02:28) She gained a newfound confidence from the experience.
The experience also taught her the importance of listening and collaboration in a diverse environment. “You have to have an open ear and listen and be there for people and try to satisfy multiple groups with multiple ideas. It can be challenging, but I learned that if you have an open ear and open heart, you can do it,” Tala reflects. (02:52)
The MBA program’s focus on real-world application equips students with essential leadership skills. Brunel integrates theoretical learning with practice, mirroring the innovative spirit of its namesake, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a highly-regarded British engineer who greatly improved society by building bridges, railways, hospitals, churches, and more. Brunel continues this legacy of innovation every day.
Additionally, the program encourages students to embrace challenges and step out of their comfort zones, fostering resilience and adaptability. These are key qualities for thriving in today’s dynamic global business landscape.
Master Strategic Thinking with Data-Driven Insights
Tala emphasizes how a Brunel Business School MBA sharpened her strategic thinking and data analysis capabilities in particular. These skills are essential for her role in the FMCG sector.
“It really taught me that you need strategic thinking, you need to work with data, you need to refer to proper information to be able to actually make a decision.” (04:03)
Additionally, she underscores the importance of research and data collection. She remarks, “Finding information is extremely essential, it was the pillar of our MBA, especially when we were doing assignments. You take that on when you’re working in a corporate environment, especially in a sales function, which is what I do. You need to be able to speak to customers and give them valid information.” (04:46)
Brunel ensures that students tailor their learning to meet industry demands. The program integrates hands-on learning through real-world projects and case studies, helping students master critical thinking and data interpretation. This dynamic approach equips graduates with the ability to leverage data strategically, driving impactful decisions in competitive industries.
Practical Projects: Where Theory Meets Real-World Impact
Brunel’s MBA program integrates experiential learning, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
“We presented a lot in the MBA, and that helped a lot. [It helped us understand] how to structure an assignment, a project, or a presentation. And how to have an impact, how to look at things from a bird’s eye view. Because the MBA [focuses] more [on] entrepreneurial skills,” Tala explains. (05:37)
This experiential approach has been invaluable in her professional career, allowing her to navigate complex business landscapes confidently. These are skills and tools that she uses in her everyday work.
Brunel Business School’s MBA students benefit from a hands-on approach that ensures their readiness for dynamic industries. The program emphasizes the practical application of these skills through case studies, live projects, and workshops, enabling graduates to effectively bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Developing Cultural Intelligence
Relocating from Lebanon to the UK was a big transition for Tala. However, she was pleasantly surprised by the multicultural environment in the UK.
“[Previously] I worked mostly with Lebanese people from Lebanon. When coming to the UK, it was so multicultural. There’s people from all over the world, it was surprising. It really opens you up, I enjoyed that aspect.” (07:11)
Brunel’s international cohort helped her adapt to new perspectives, fostering open-mindedness. “I learned it from the MBA as well, being around colleagues from all over the world.” (07:29)
Brunel’s student body represents over 150 countries, placing it among the top in the UK for international MBA experiences. This exposure prepared Tala for the global nature of her current FMCG role, equipping her to work effectively in international teams.
The diverse environment at Brunel Business School enabled her to develop cultural intelligence, an essential skill for navigating cross-cultural business challenges.
Develop a Growth Mindset with Resilience & Focus
Tala offers advice to prospective MBA students. She advises to stay focused and persevere.
She recommends, “Shutting off all this background noise and actually just taking it step by step.” (12:09) While being an international student can be overwhelming and exciting, she recommends focusing on your studies and not worrying too much about the rest.
Her journey, in particular, underscores the value of determination during job applications. She further advises, “If you want it, you will get it. You have to really be hungry. I give advice to everybody when you’re doing interviews, really show your true self, and show how hungry you are, how much you want this job, and how much you can drive impact.” (13:35)
Brunel’s MBA program fosters resilience, encouraging students to tackle challenges with a growth mindset. Its flexible options, both full-time and part-time, allow students to balance studies with personal and professional commitments.
The program’s emphasis on personal development through workshops, mentorship, and peer learning further equips students to confidently navigate obstacles and emerge stronger, prepared for success in their chosen fields.
The Value of A Brunel MBA
Tala’s journey from Lebanon to a global FMCG role exemplifies the impact of Brunel’s MBA program. Brunel offers a blend of academic excellence, leadership development, and international exposure and equips students with the tools needed to excel in a competitive global job market.
The program’s practical focus, diverse cohort, and strong industry connections provide a solid foundation for students to thrive. Brunel is an ideal choice for aspiring professionals seeking truly international career expansion.
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