The Sheffield MBA gave me the confidence to move into consultancy and secure a role at Archus

From audiology in Canada to a new challenge in Sheffield

Before my MBA, I was working in Canada as a clinical audiologist. The part of the job I enjoyed most was working closely with people and solving problems with them, essentially helping them hear as well as possible. What I missed, however, was the chance to work as part of a team. That realisation pushed me to look for a new challenge, and the MBA has been exactly that. It has also opened up many career paths that I think suit me well.

Sheffield stood out for its career support

I have my family roots in Leeds and friends who spoke highly of Sheffield, but what drew me most to the Sheffield MBA was the strong focus on career support. My main motivation for pursuing an MBA was to enhance my career, and from comparing different programmes, Sheffield really stood out in how much support it offered. That has proven to be true, I’ve now secured a job directly as a result.

Returning to study with renewed focus

I had some concerns about returning to university, as I always felt I underperformed in my undergraduate degree. But being a bit older and wiser definitely helped, I was more focused, with fewer distractions than when I was 18 or 19. I also made use of the support available. After finishing my first assignment, I booked a one-to-one session with the academic writing team. The feedback I received gave me confidence for the rest of the year.

Leadership sessions inspired my dissertation

One Personal, Professional and Career Development (PPCD) session that stands out was with Ruth Brown, CEO of Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Trust, who spoke about leadership. It was one of many sessions that connected classroom learning with real-world experience. Combined with the leadership module, it fuelled my decision to focus my dissertation on how hearing impairment affects people in leadership positions. The School also supported me in finding participants, which made my data collection and research possible.

Discovering consultancy through the Sheffield MBA

Consultancy wasn’t really on my radar at first, but after the marketing consultancy challenge in Semester 1, I realised it was exactly what I was looking for: the chance to work in a team and solve problems. The PPCD sessions also gave me the confidence to apply for consulting roles even without direct consulting experience. When I started interviewing, I realised because of the modules geared at consultancy and the PPCD sessions, I felt capable of performing in that environment. Now I’ve secured my new role as a Consultant at Archus.

Clarity, confidence and a new direction

The MBA didn’t just give me knowledge and skills, it gave me clarity on the type of work I want to do and the confidence to pursue it. It pushed me to apply for roles I wouldn’t have considered before, and those experiences showed me how far I’d come.

My advice for future students

The things you see online: course information, modules, career support, only show you half of what the MBA is about. The real benefit and learning come when you fully get involved throughout the year. Talk to people, learn from the great staff, and, most importantly, make the most of the diverse experiences within your cohort. That’s where the real value lies with MBA at Sheffield.