Innovation & Leadership

The MBS is the best investment you could possibly make in yourself, your career or your business!

When I began the MBS program, I was very apprehensive about how much time it would take up as I already ran a very busy business. I had been out of Academia for some time so going back to learning was a daunting prospect. With the help of the (RPL) Team I was accepted onto the program. I am so glad I was, as completing this program has had the most positive impact on our business and on me personally.

The program is delivered in a very flexible way and with an action learning methodology, it means that you can apply what you are learning to your own business. Along with course content delivered in the structured modules, you are part of an action learning set with other course participants. The learning from your peers on this program should not be underestimated. Some of my best learning came from our group action learning sessions. The people you begin this journey with will become firm friends with a wealth of knowledge across a wide range of industries for you to draw inspiration from.

The calibre of faculty, guest lecturers and industry experts are outstanding.

I was a member of the inaugural MBS in Innovation and Leadership cohort. As it was an action-learning methodology, it meant that the program was truly symbiotic with the major initiatives I was driving at work. The focus of my dissertation was to implement agile across the subsidiary which was later adopted at the parent company level. Doing this while studying for my masters, helped me to be more deliberate and holistic in my approach and thinking which culminated in better work outcomes. ATU Donegal have done a wonderful and highly professional job in constructing and continuously improving the program over the years which I saw in action as I was fortunate to be leveraged as a guest lecturer from time to time since graduation.

On a personal level, I was re-born as a life-long learner. It reignited my curiosity for learning and with humility, appreciate how much I had to learn (more outside-in thinking). From a highly tangible perspective I was promoted 3 times since my MBS into greater areas of complexity and accountability resulting in an entire career shift to USA in 2016. I always cite the MBS degree as a key milestone towards where I am currently in my career.

I had always wanted to take on a Master of Business degree but could not find the right time due to a busy work schedule. So when I finally enrolled on the MBS programme while my organisation was going through a major transformation, it felt like a daunting prospect. However, from day 1 of the MBS programme my mindset began to change. The learning modules were relevant and perfectly structured to provide the right balance of reading, learning and research with an industry perspective from experts and leaders in the field. Introducing the Action Learning techniques in my workplace helped drive action from my meetings and deliver results. The flexibility shown by the programme supervisors allowed me to balance my studies and my busy work schedule with minimal impact. However, the most significant aspect of the MBS programme for me was the changes I experienced in myself. Rather than have a demanding impact on my work schedule, I believe the MBS programme provided me with the toolset to navigate the transformation within my organisation more effectively. My mindset on Leadership, Change Management and Emotional Intelligence are just some of the areas where I feel my development during the MBS programme provided me with additional tools and confidence to communicate and deliver results to a higher level within my organisation. This MBS is a fantastic programme and has helped me in my career.

Many of our leaders here in TCS Letterkenny Global Delivery Centre have completed the MBus in Innovation and Leadership. I would highly recommend the programme to any perspective candidates who are either in or aspiring to be in, a leadership role.

Andrea McBride,
Head of Letterkenny Global Delivery Centre,
Tata Consultancy Services