MBA student — Parag Pandya

After gaining experience of working in healthcare, qualified pharmacist Parag decided to explore his interest in technology within this sector by studying the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS)

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?

I recognised the need to change the trajectory of my career. As a pharmacist with a marketing background, I had gained valuable knowledge of the healthcare industry, but I wanted to expand my current skillset and find new ways to leverage my experience. I have always been fascinated with how technology can play a greater role to revolutionise the healthcare industry and improve patient outcomes.

I knew an MBA would give me the skills, network, and opportunity to transition into a more tech-orientated role, aligning my passion for healthcare with my interests in innovation and technology.

Why did you choose this institution?

I didn't want to study a course that was solely classroom based, I wanted to find one that would provide me with a more well-rounded and practical learning experience. This was why I chose the AMBS course.

There is an emphasis on the practical application of the theoretical knowledge learned throughout the lectures. This hands-on experience has given me the opportunity to work with a not-for-profit organisation based in Manchester and a large telecoms business, developing my consulting skills, and building on the concepts and frameworks I've learned about during the course.

Additionally, the course offers an internship component. This has given me the opportunity to work with a large technology consulting company, providing real world experience of the industry, building my network, and applying my knowledge in a professional setting. This is helping me with my career aspirations of transitioning into a more technology-focused role.

How have you funded your MBA?

Through self-funding and I was awarded a scholarship.

What is the course teaching you that your first degree did not?

My degree was not business based, so it was a steep learning curve becoming familiar with most aspects of the course. In particular, the corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions modules.

One of the most valuable aspects of the course is the opportunity to work with teams composed from diverse cultures, industries and backgrounds.

The structure of the course encourages development of different soft skills not fully explored or developed during my first degree, including cross-functional collaboration, conflict resolution, and strengthening my communication skills.

These skills are complimentary to the technical knowledge you gain from an MBA and are helping to better prepare me for leadership and management roles in a professional setting.

How is the course assessed?

It's assessed primarily through presentations and reports.

What networking opportunities does the course provide?

During the first two semesters the business school runs a weekly guest speaker series where alumni deliver a presentation based on their career journey, practical advice during and post MBA and explain different techniques they use during management decision making.

You then have the opportunity to attend a networking event in the form of a roundtable with the guest speaker.

Some companies, including Amazon, American Express and Eli Lilly, that offer summer internships, come to the business school to present and host networking sessions.

There are also various competitions you can take part in throughout the course, such as a case study consulting competition and a venture capital competition.

These provide valuable opportunities to tackle real-world business challenges and interact with alumni and industry professionals who act as judges. They are a great way to explore different industries and establish connections.

What are your plans for after your MBA?

I'd like to begin working with technology start-ups, ideally in a strategic or business development role. I'm really drawn to the fast-paced environment of start-ups as you get the chance to make a significant impact to the business from an early stage.

In this role, I would like to work closely with start-up teams, using my previous experience and knowledge from the MBA to contribute to their growth and scaling efforts. By identifying new market opportunities, developing effective strategies, and building strong partnerships, I want to help these companies grow and achieve their goals.

While working within the start-up space, I want to build on my knowledge of the healthcare industry and explore ways to address healthcare inequalities across the UK and internationally. This aspiration drives my long-term vision, to establish my own healthcare technology company.

Through my own venture, I want to tackle the healthcare challenges we face as a population, ensuring patients have access to high quality, affordable healthcare.

Ultimately, I hope to make a positive and lasting impact on patients' lives. By leveraging my experience in pharmacy, business and technology, I believe I can bring a unique perspective to healthcare systems.

What advice do you have for others considering an MBA?

• Really understand why you want to do an MBA. If it's just to escape a job or for a new challenge, then you won't get the most out of the course. You don't have to stress and know exactly what you want to do after the MBA, keep an open mind career wise. It's helpful if you know what sector you'd like to work in but as the course progresses you can find new and interesting fields you hadn't previously considered. You can then tailor your MBA experience accordingly.
• The energy you invest shapes the outcome. From being proactive and engaging in lectures, going to networking and speaker events and taking part in other extra-curricular activities that really shape your experience. You learn a lot about yourself and working with others in these situations. Now is a perfect opportunity to make the most of the time you have and pursue things you couldn't do while working full time.
• Enjoy yourself. It's an amazing experience and journey to embark on. Everyone has an interesting story with lessons you can learn from and implement into your own life. Don't put so much pressure on yourself, a lot of people have imposter syndrome but just know you deserve to be here and have some fun.

Find out more

• Get the lowdown on MBA courses.
• Explore careers in the healthcare sector.
• Consider studying an MBA at AMBS.