15 months into her MBA journey at ALUSB, Lilian Kuria ‘20 has made tremendous career moves, gained a family in her MBA classmates and broadened her perspective on doing business in Africa! Read on to learn more about her MBA experience, how she leveraged her ALUSB network and became the Country Manager at Chancen International and her thoughts about the future post-COVID-19.
Pursuing an MBA at ALUSB
Lillian’s motivation to pursue an MBA at ALUSB was twofold. Firstly, she wanted to strengthen her skills in areas she felt she lacked as she moved up to more leadership roles. Secondly, she sought an environment where she could interact and learn from a network of people motivated to make a difference on the continent.
Lilian was also intrigued by the pan-African focus throughout the ALUSB MBA programme. “It’s not just an MBA programme that equips you with business skills – the skills are also steeped in the African context. This knowledge is essential for anyone who wants to have a successful career in Africa.”
ALUSB highlights
What stands out as a highlight during her MBA journey so far? The power of the ALUSB network! “My current role at Chancen International is a product of the ALUSB network.” During her first couple of intensives in Kigali, Lilian got to build a bond with her classmate Batya Blankers, the Co-founder and CEO of Chancen International. Through continuous interaction during the MBA programme, they both realised that Lilian was exactly what the organisation needed! Soon afterwards, she took up the role of Country Manager and relocated from Nairobi to Kigali, an experience she is very enthusiastic about. “This tells a very strong story of what is possible with the kinds of networks you end up building at ALUSB.”
Her transition to working in Rwanda wasn’t a smooth journey, as she had many different responsibilities and activities she needed to accommodate. But she credits her success during this period to the support received from the ALUSB community which allowed her to thrive through the transition. “Being able to rely on my classmates, the ALUSB faculty and administration made everything a lot easier.”
Additionally, credits the diversity in the ALSUB MBA community for broadening her perspective. “I have learned new skills and gained a lot of knowledge from the different fields, cultures and perspectives that are represented in the MBA classrooms.” This has given her a better understanding of the different issues on the continent.
“I have been able to build a strong network in a very short time which would not be possible in any other environment.”
On the future post-COVID-19
As someone working in the education sector, the past couple of months have raised some concerns with Lilian. She worries about the ability of new graduates securing a place on the job market since the strain that the pandemic has caused on global economies. Nonetheless, she sees an opportunity amidst this crisis for young people to harness their creativity to create new job opportunities and industries. “This is a time for all of us to use our creativity to find solutions for Africa.”
Lilian concludes with some advice for the people working from home:
- Develop a routine
- Be kind to yourself
- For people in leadership positions: you have a role to play in ensuring people working under you are well informed and taken care of. As a manager, you need to create a support system around the people you work with.
Advice for prospective students
“If you have a dream to work across different countries in Africa or to be able to influence things on the continent, then ALUSB is the place to be. Beyond the exceptional course content, you’ll also gain a strong community of students, alumni, faculty and other staff members who are motivated to make a difference on the continent.”
Do you feel called upon? Start your application today at: http://bit.ly/APPLYO20 to join #AfricasMBA!
