Lizelle Van Schouwenburg already had an impressive CV, so why take the next step with an MBA? MBAGRADSCHOOLS looks at why she chose Copenhagen Business School to strengthen her skill set and the career benefits it brought.
Part of Lizelle Van Schouwenburg’s reason for choosing an MBA was the same as many candidates — to advance her career. Her professional background spanned a wide range of industries and roles, but an MBA could tie it all together. MBA students graduate with a deep understanding of business administration, a powerful network, and valuable practical experience.
However, Lizelle’s main motivation included something greater. Sustainability had always been close to her heart. Both she and her husband had worked in the industry in the past. But it was looking to the future that made the decision easy. “We have two beautiful girls and I would like to be able to do something in helping provide them with a planet that they can really enjoy when they grow up,” she says. (01:05)
Copenhagen Business School (CBS) with its MBA that offers a concentration in Governance and Sustainability became an easy choice. Aside from the obvious ethical aspects, the practical advantages of sustainable development are clear.
Legislation worldwide is gradually pushing toward sustainable business practices, and being ahead of the curve is a substantial advantage. Furthermore, early stage startups are increasingly embracing socially responsible business models as a key differentiator. A Capgemini study showed that 53% of consumers have switched to lesser-known brands if they are sustainable, a figure that rises to 57% in the 18-to-24 age group.
With all students based full-time in Copenhagen, Denmark, the in-person aspect of the CBS MBA stands out. In Lizelle’s experience, the student body formed a close social group outside the classroom. Also, the diverse cohort was an endless source of learning opportunities in the classroom.
“We had people coming from India, South Africa, Austria, we had Americans,” Lizelle tells us. “And people coming from industries such as the finance industry, scientists, and even we had a ship manager as part of our class. So it really was a wealth of people and knowledge and experiences put together in one room.” (01:46)
But it’s not just group learning that you get from a postgraduate business education. As a seriously demanding course, students like Lizelle are pushed to their limits. Thanks to being challenged they in turn understand themselves better on a personal level.
One of the key takeaways for Lizelle was a lesson that ambitious people are often slow to learn. “Before the MBA, it was really difficult for me to say no, and after the MBA I kind of do it as part of managing me,” she says. “[I know] what I offer, and I know what I don’t offer.” (02:45)
After completing the MBA, Lizelle threw herself into a new role at ZeroNorth, which aims to pioneer a green revolution in the shipping industry. With a background in finance, the MBA concentration in Governance and Sustainability was the springboard for her to break into the sustainability sector. Since joining at the start of 2021, Lizelle quickly climbed the ranks to her current position as VP for Financial Planning & Analysis.
But aside from an accelerated career path, Lizelle points back to the personal development side of the course as a major benefit. “Having gained so much experience from people around me in the classroom and the ways that they tackle different problems really made an impact on me.” (03:37)
Are you just starting to consider pursuing an MBA in Denmark or related to sustainability, you’ll likely have some questions we can answer.
Copenhagen Business School is backed by triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. This puts CBS in the top one percent of global business schools. Within Denmark, CBS is recognized by ACE and PIMS for both the program and the school itself.
As an institution, it reached 26 in the 2021 Financial Times European Business School Rankings. The Copenhagen MBA ranking is impressive, achieving 24th place in the world in the 2022 QS MBA list.
Copenhagen Business School is located just outside the very center of the Danish capital, but as a small city, you’re a short trip from anywhere you need to be.
As a past student, Lizelle offers MBAGRADSCHOOLS some key insights. “Everything in Copenhagen is close, right?” she says. “So it’s either a 20-minute bike ride away or a four-minute metro trip away. CBS is pretty central, so it’s very easy to get to a bar, or get to even one of the tourist attractions.” (04:30)
Typical jobs with a focus on sustainability include:
This is an important reminder that you don’t have to physically install solar panels to get the fulfillment of contributing to a better world. To make a meaningful impact, sustainability-focused minds need to occupy every area of the workforce, from finance and HR to marketing and communications.
According to leading recruiters, companies from all sectors are looking for environmental, social and governance (ESG) profiles to fill roles across all functions. This has created a vast talent gap in the area of sustainability, with jobs requiring ESG skills far outweighing suitable candidates. It’s this global demand for green skills that really makes an MBA in sustainability worth it.
As we’re still in the infancy of sustainable enterprises and education, prospective students often find it hard to visualize their path forward. On a personal level, Lizelle encourages people to only do an MBA for themselves and not for anybody else. It is a journey of self-development and should be seen as one.
On a professional level, she offers some key advice from her own journey. “Don’t do an MBA if you are tired of your career, and you want something new,” she begins. “Do an MBA because it’s something that can build on your previous experiences, and it can take you to a different level.” (06:46)
If you’d like to speak directly to a Copenhagen Business School graduate about their experience, look no further. On the MBAGRADSCHOOLS Ambassador Page, we have a wide selection of ex-students you can contact, maybe even from your own country.
