EMBA-Global alumni profiles
EMBA-Global alumni are a diverse, high-calibre, globally focused group of representatives from a wide range of nationalities and industries. Read what our alumni have to say…
Mukul Pareek
Senior Manager, Ernst & Young, New York
EMBA-Global 2003
"Just about the time when I was in the 'research mode' on the EMBA programmes available, London and Columbia Business Schools announced their unique dual-degree EMBA-Global programme. Already a Chartered Accountant, and with many years of work experience each in New Delhi, Dubai and Geneva, I was looking for the very best EMBA possible, and this was an immediate fit.
Two years have now flown by, and I feel proud to have been a part of the inaugural class. It was an absolutely amazing experience, and far surpassed my expectations. An interesting thing that made the EMBA-Global different was that all of us collected together for an entire week for classes, many travelling across continents. We stayed together, partying - when not working! - till late hours nearly every day. Not only did the full-week format allow people outside London or New York to join the programme, it also helped create a true 'student camaraderie' that would be very difficult in a weekend programme.
It was a very demanding programme, and each one of us had a different story to tell about how they managed their work responsibilities. My deal with my boss was that the 'company shouldn't miss me', so I always had to remain in touch by phone and email to make sure that there were no unattended disasters when I was away. The programme can also take its toll on one's personal life, and that is one aspect you really have to carefully manage. I was fortunate to have my wife Shipra's support all through, and she accompanied me often to NY, London and also for our trip to Hong Kong.
What does this EMBA programme give you? From my perspective, there are three parts to the business school offering. Firstly, you learn the tools – you understand the conceptual and quantitative skills that help you understand the dynamics of real business. Secondly, you get to understand and manage the softer skills such as negotiations, leadership, strategy and self-awareness that are absolutely vital to personal success. Thirdly, and most importantly, is what I would call the 'internalised value' that comes from the confidence that this degree and the association with two of the best schools in the world bring. After the EMBA-Global, you are ready for anything and everything.
I made some great friends along the way - the student group I was a part of was diverse beyond belief, my group had myself (an accountant), a cancer researcher, a human rights executive, an engineer turned corporate finance guy, an ex-journalist turned entrepreneur and a New York real-estate whiz."
Tracy Bahl
Chief Executive Officer, Uniprise, New York
EMBA-Global 2004
"When I began considering business schools, I had a few simple and fundamental objectives in mind – strengthen my quantitative skills and expand my multinational business capabilities. Little did I know that in the joint London/Columbia Business Schools' Executive MBA Global programme I would find that and so much more. Certainly the programme fulfilled my initial objectives. The partnership between London and Columbia Business Schools allowed me to leverage the finance and quantitative analysis resources abundant at both institutions. The programme's inherently global nature allowed me to apply those learnings with an international perspective, and to do so with a diverse group of people who had lived and worked all over the globe.
But what I didn't expect was the breadth and depth of learning and experience that the programme provided – well above my original expectations. Without doubt the core classroom work was hard. It was gruelling and exhausting at times. But it was the project work, study groups, outside guest lecturers, class trips and company visits that really rounded out an amazing programme. Having the opportunity to work on a variety of fascinating projects, with fascinating people, in a fascinating international environment provided me with an "experience" that was much more than a "programme".
The greatest and most pleasant surprise, however, was the people I met and interacted with. The faculty and administration are all special and notable individuals in their own right, yet willingly offered advice, encouragement and direction throughout the programme – and many still do to this day. And my classmates provided perhaps the most important learning of all – that amidst hard work and intense focus, new friendships can emerge that will last a lifetime. The class is a small group and we all stayed together for a concentrated week each month. We worked hard and, yes, played hard. And through it all, I shared a set of experiences that I will never forget (although there are some I wish I could…) with a group of people who will be friends and colleagues for the rest of my life.
Clearly the EMBA-Global programme at London and Columbia Business Schools is an outstanding business school programme, but what I will always be grateful for is the experience that made it so much more."
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