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How the MBA for Executives changed my career path drastically
MBA / 15 September 2020
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MBA for Executives (Kinshasa) Class of 2019
Christian completed the MBA for Executives (Kinshasa) in 2019 and was awarded "Best Student of the Year". He is now Director ESG (Environmental Social and Governance) at the Plantations and Palm Oil company PHC. He is passionate about sustainable project development and has +15 yrs expertise in Environmental and Social Management respectively in mining, telecom, construction, manufacturing and agro-industry.

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Investing in the MBA was worth it

When I decided to start my MBA for Executives at Frankfurt School in Kinshasa in 2018, I was expecting that an MBA degree would provide me with the necessary skills for a mid-career professional to move further. This obviously required supernatural discipline, tightening belt and being prepared for working during sleepless nights. At the end of this ordeal, I can proudly assert that the MBA at Frankfurt School gave me much more than I expected. This degree spurred me to rethink my career and introduced a drastic shift to its course.

Financial literacy is key

Financial literacy has been the eye opener that enabled me to start getting a deeper understanding of corporate business and confidently sustain intelligent and technically informed conversations with top people in my company. From a formerly somewhat limited perspective inspired mostly by my environmental and social background, I have developed a wide and holistic managerial view, having my say in project design or business development, navigating easily in the twists and turns of project finance, discussing operations learning curves or opining on logistics optimization.

Career leap in a doubly challenging context: DRC and COVID-19

As a bonus, the pleasant and ever-cheerful class environment has fostered an incredible professional networking among former classmates, to the point that nearly one year after graduation, the Alumni of our class are still actively interacting as if class was just finished yesterday. Thanks to this close FS Alumni bondage and to the relentless efforts of Monique Gieskes former MD of VLISCO textile and Board Member of the DRC Palm Oil Producer PHC, I have been appointed Director Environmental Social and Governance in the same company, working with her since June 2020, six months only after we graduated!

Moving into such a position has been a big leap in my career – especially a net salary leap in a challenging Democratic Republic of Congo uncertain job market context doubled with the COVID-19 downturn – and could not have been possible if it weren’t for the FS MBA!

Next target: Renewable Energy Entrepreneur

The greatest benefit of the MBA for Executives is by far and large more than just the piece of paper I received as a degree. Beyond any doubt, I am confident that I have acquired the right skills and acumen for successful business. This program prepared me well for senior management discussions and I find myself applying almost every day the principles and techniques I have learnt in the MBA classes. This new perspective makes me feel very comfortable and inspired me to dive further in the universe of renewable energy and sustainable project finance in order to start my own business, which I have always been craving for.

I honestly value immensely my time and tuition fees invested in the FS program.

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