Juliet Maina, Alliance Manchester MBA Class of 2025
Juliet Maina, Alliance Manchester MBA Class of 2025Age: 31
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Pharmacy
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Seven years of experience across various functions, including clinical pharmacy, supply chain management, and regulatory affairs.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After seven years in technical roles, now was the opportune moment to enhance my skill set by incorporating managerial expertise. I needed a strategic move to expedite my progression in the healthcare sector. Pursuing an MBA emerged was the optimal choice, offering the dual benefits of propelling my healthcare career forward and providing a focused strategic approach for my next steps. Moreover, it was essential for me to fortify my foundational skills in business and management. I was also eager to swiftly expand my professional networks and gain international exposure.
Why did you choose Alliance Manchester? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Alliance Manchester due to three main reasons. First, the Manchester learning method which involves consultancy projects with real clients was appealing to me. Second, the Alliance Manchester is one of the leading UK MBA programs with significant post-MBA placement in healthcare careers. Third, my interactions with the program’s community during the application process gave me a greater sense of comfort and confidence that it would be the right program for me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
I have a unique professional background. I am the only pharmacist in my class, bringing a wealth of diverse functional and industry experiences from my roles in a multinational corporation, NGO, and the government. Additionally, I am the only candidate from East Africa.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
At the age of 12, I formed an all-girls acapella group that made it to the national drama and music competition. Our teachers thought it was a waste of time and we got into a bit of trouble for practising during class hours, but the dedication and passion, led us not only to participate but also to achieve notable success in the competition.
Post-MBA career interests:
At the beginning of my MBA, I was focused on building my business skillset to undertake a different career path in healthcare. However, after my initial exposure to different career events, discussions, and interactions, I am now more open to explore other interesting functions and industries where I can leverage my passion for developing innovative solutions to complex business problems.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would go through the process of researching and exploring differentiating features and strengths of the different MBA programs and build networks within the different business schools.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have treated the application process as a journey of self-exploration to learn about myself instead of submitting my applications as a checklist of things that needed to be done. The process would have been more enjoyable and beneficial irrespective of the outcome.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
While the experience of studying for standardized tests was fascinating, the amount of time required to perform well was too much. I had to wake up very early in the morning or stay up late at night to fit in my studies between my work and family hours.
What is your initial impression of the Alliance Manchester students/culture/community?
AMBS is a very supportive and collaborative community. Students come from numerous cultural and professional backgrounds. My class cohort is made up of 29 nationalities, which enhances the community’s multicultural environment. The academic and non-academic staff are exceptionally qualified and are always available.
What is one thing you have learned about Manchester AMBS that has surprised you?
I knew that my coursework would involve a real-life consultancy project. However, I didn’t expect that this project would start as early as the second week of classes.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I haven’t been in an academic environment for a while. This brings some anxiety, especially since I now must balance between studying and taking care of my family. I am also anxious about getting the right internship that would allow me to build on the functional and industry exposure that I am interested in.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am eager to connect with my classmates, anticipating enriching conversations about their diverse cultures, professional journeys, passions, and interests. Additionally, I am keen to explore the rich cultural, sporting, and artistic aspects of Manchester and the greater northwestern part of England.
