“I can’t pretend it’s not challenging but turning up every day and learning is the easy bit when the content and commitment from EBS is so world class.”

Daniel Smart is studying The Essex MBA full-time. His professional and personal achievements have spanned from mountaineering to business start-ups, so The Essex MBA was the perfect addition to his already impressive CV.

What prompted you to study an MBA at Essex Business School?

I have been involved with Essex Business School before and I knew that their values aligned with my own in how they approach the MBA with its undertone of sustainability. The staff are excellent and the international cohort offers me a global perspective, rather than the same old British opinions I can access anywhere. It’s the ideal environment for me to upskill, connect and identify future opportunities through a wide network of connected, engaged individuals.

What are your future career goals and how will the MBA qualification benefit you in achieving these?

I feel that the MBA has created more opportunities, but I’m still formulating my next move. What the MBA will now help me to achieve is the next level that I couldn’t access without it, it will open doors to international job opportunities, increase the likelihood of gaining visas and career sponsorships, generate tangible skill sets to command higher remuneration and support my goals of influencing business to achieve more through my now, wider comprehension of all things MBA.

What are your favourite aspects of the MBA course and why?

There's something new everyday that challenges you, whether that’s the people, opinions, class debates or lecturer insights. I can’t pretend it’s not challenging but turning up every day and learning is the easy bit when the content and commitment form EBS is so world class.

What are the highlights so far from your time at Essex Business School and the University of Essex?

The level of support from lecturers, industry experts and classmates is a major highlight, everyone wants you to succeed and offers you that often needed boost, yet maintaining the reality that nothing comes easy and all the hard work will eventually pay off. Its a tough love, but no different to the real world of business.