Full-time MScBA: Pathway to an International Career

After completing his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management at a university of applied sciences, 27-year-old Loek Zandvliet decided to pursue the one-year Full-time Master in Management/Business Administration (MScBA) at TIAS Business School in Utrecht. While working on his thesis, he was approached by a recruiter from Capgemini. Loek now has almost a year of experience at this global leader as a junior SAP consultant.

Why did you decide to extend your studies for another year at TIAS after your bachelor’s degree?
A master’s degree gives you that extra edge when starting your professional career. At TIAS, the premaster is integrated into the program, allowing you to complete it in just one year. That made the program more manageable for me. Another great feature of TIAS is the international environment, with a fifty-fifty split between Dutch and international students. You learn a lot from different cultures. For example, students from other cultural backgrounds can sometimes be more reserved and tend to stay in the background. I found it interesting to figure out how to encourage them to step forward rather than taking the lead myself all the time. It was a fun challenge.

How did the master’s program help you start your career at Capgemini?
In my first months at Capgemini, I noticed that the master’s program provided a solid foundation that allowed me to contribute to discussions on various topics right away. The Master in Management is a very broad program, and the business analytics specialization I chose was like broadening my horizons even further. This gave me many points of connection, which was very useful. However, this doesn’t mean you instantly understand how the company works or what you need to do. For example, I had to hit the books again to learn about SAP.

International Project Teams
The master’s program teaches you how to work effectively in project groups, making you a true team player. At TIAS, you also work in international teams, so you learn how to position yourself within such groups. This made it easier for me to collaborate with my new colleagues at Capgemini, where international project teams are also the norm. Thanks to the opportunities and tools provided to implement your ideas within the organization, my learning curve at Capgemini remained steep. That’s ideal when you’re just starting out.

Back to the Classroom: What made your time at TIAS special?
You study with a relatively small group of about eighty students, divided into two classes. This allows for plenty of personal attention. At TIAS, they’re also personally involved with you. They know everyone and want to get to know you. You can ask anything, try anything—there’s plenty of room for that. Additionally, you become a close-knit group with your fellow students.

How did the Personal & Career Development program help you?
The program combines training in personal development with support for job applications. For instance, you can brainstorm with someone from TIAS about your motivation letter, submitting it and discussing feedback later. TIAS also organizes a career day featuring presentations by leading companies, followed by a networking event. Additionally, there’s a workshop where you format your CV in a standardized template, which is then checked for recruiter-friendly keywords. That’s incredibly helpful.

Finally, what’s the main takeaway from your TIAS experience?
The sense of camaraderie that develops in the small international group of students with whom you complete the master’s program. Dutch students form friendships quickly. But since many international students come alone and may find it intimidating, you make an effort to include them and ensure no one feels left out. TIAS also does a great job of fostering this sense of unity.

Study Trip
After three-quarters of a year, when you know each other well, going on a study trip is an amazing experience. It’s more relaxed and informal, which leads to different kinds of conversations, especially with international students. You feel comfortable asking more critical questions—the kind you might avoid in a work setting for fear of sounding offensive. But that’s not the case at all. They actually enjoy such conversations. This way, they learn a lot, and so do you.

Full-time MScBA: the fast track into a successful career

As an aspiring business professional, you want to accelerate your career, regardless of the state of the world economy. To compete successfully in the job market, you need to have a clear career goal and a passionate ambition to realize it. In addition, you need a broad range of skills, knowledge and know-how to set yourself apart from the rest. Are you a recent bachelor or master graduate (in any subject area) and want to develop yourself quickly to fast-track your career in business? As an aspiring business professional, you want to accelerate your career, regardless of the state of the world economy.

Our one-year Full-time Master in Management program will enable you to act in and engage with different areas of an organization. The program provides a broad business foundation with the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of choice. 

Read more about the Full-time Master in Management »