When I decided to do the UCC Executive MBA, my daughter was just 2 years old, and while I had a very busy and interesting job, as well as a number of voluntary commitments, I was ready to challenge myself. I wanted to do something that would help me to add more value to the organisations that I worked with in the start-up sector and to help our own organisation to exceed our goals – I personally wanted to grow – I had felt for a while that reading, going to or watching talks online, and doing general academic programmes wasn’t enough anymore.

The MBA was challenging but in ways I hadn’t fully anticipated. Our very reasoning was questioned! How we make decisions, judgements and how we understand, support and lead others.

The MBA initially forced me to step back and look at the big picture (you might think you do this already but you really don’t) but now that is my natural state of mind.

It helped me to develop core leadership and decision-making skills that I will continue to develop for the rest of my life.