Day in the Life as a MBA student

Written by Raul Encalada Verastegui

As an MBA student, I am practicing daily to become a better manager and an exceptional leader. It is not an easy journey, but it is a rewarding path, and I am sure the effort will be worth it after graduation.  

The Newcastle University Business School is a vibrant community where learning can be an immersive experience.  

Planning my Friday 

I wake up at 6.00am to check the weather. If it is not raining outside, I go out for a 30-minute morning run. Afterwards, I take a shower and have a coffee to be fully charged. I then check my itinerary for the day. Looking at my schedule, I have a lecture on leadership and how teams require managers to have knowledge and empathy to guide and motivate teams. Following this, I have two meetings, one with my team on an innovation project for Northumbria Water and another with my thesis supervisor.  

At 8.30am, I leave my flat to get the Metro (local transport system) to arrive at the Business School. It is still cold outside, so when I enter the MBA Classroom, I always use the coffee machine to prepare a green tea. The coffee machine is a little privilege MBA students have. I am sure most of my classmates agree that without it, days would not be the same. 

Lecture on leadership 

In my lecture for leadership, the Lecturer explained how leadership frameworks can be applied according to the complexity of the challenge and the team’s capacity to solve complex challenges. I learned that when the task is highly complex, but co-workers are highly committed, it is better to adopt a coaching role to alleviate technical doubts and provide guidance. I also learned the importance of social interactions with co-workers, as strong bonds help the team stay engaged. 

Once the lecture was over, I met my team at The Student Hub, a common space for students which is ideal for collaboration. We discussed the economic viability of our solution and calculated the total investment cost and ROI. Once the numbers were done, we divided the pending tasks and went for some pad thai at a local restaurant.  

Meeting with thesis supervisor 

At 4.00pm, I returned to the business school as I had scheduled an appointment to discuss my dissertation thesis. I want to explore how product innovation teams can become more effective in introducing new technologies. My Supervisor suggested three new papers to read and discuss with me the methodology to obtain the required qualitative and quantitative information to continue. They suggested that I should calculate the required sample to obtain enough information to make deep conclusions.  

Chilling with friends 

Back in my flat, my best friend called to ask if I would like to have make a meal with them. I met her, and we went to the nearby supermarket to buy all the required groceries. Here, I tasted Hindi food for the first time, and it has rapidly become my favourite.  After eating, some friends arrived, and we ended the day watching a movie together.  

Living in Newcastle is an international experience where there is time for everything: learning, collaborating in teams and having fun with friends. Each day, there is a new opportunity to grow professionally and personally by engaging in lectures and making friendships that will last forever.  

So, are you ready to take on the challenge at Newcastle University? Join me as an MBA student. Together, we can be sustainable leaders for a brighter future.