Margaret Riley, Executive Global Master’s in Management (EGMiM) graduate, spoke to us about her experience on the programme, studying in different countries, and how it has helped progress her career. Margaret graduated in 2020 and currently works as Senior Director Water Australia at KBR, Inc.

Why did you choose to study EGMiM?

When I looked at the options globally, LSE’s EGMiM course ticked all those boxes. A university with global prestige and a degree that is offered right in the heart of London – in the heart of everything – is just incredibly attractive. I was also looking for a degree that was flexible and that was going to offer me the opportunity to work full time on the other side of the world but still study on a pretty sizable workload. The EGMiM course offered all of that.

How did the EGMiM prepare you for the next stages in your career?

I really felt that the course gave me the opportunity to consolidate my experiences and map that against theoretical learnings. It also gave me time to sit back, stop and think about me as a leader and how I could chart the next stages of my career.

It was also about confidence – I did see quite an acceleration in my career following the EGMiM course.

What was your favourite module?

It would definitely be the international modules, particularly the India (Bangalore) trip. It was really a great experience – it’s intense as you’re spending all your time surrounded by learning. Spending a lot of time with your cohort and sharing these experiences I felt really solidified our team and a lot of friendships.

What did you gain from the international modules?

I think perspectives are what you gain from learning in other countries. It’s being challenged as well as hearing people’s lived experiences, and how that relates to what you’re learning through the coursework.

I believe that these experiences added greatly to the learning journey that I was on.

What was it like to learn with professionals from all over the world and what networks have you gained?

I really love that aspect. I really value that lovely, lovely group of people who I know will remain lifelong friends.

I was really looking for something that attracted a cohort that had a diverse mix of experience. When coming into the learning environment for the first time, it was really great to see that there was a big mix in ages and people were motivated to be there for a range of reasons. You had people who were towards the beginning of their career, some who were at the end, some were who looking at complete changes in their careers and people who were looking to do startups.

It also means if I have a challenge I can now connect with a global brains trust. They might not be in the same industry sector or region that I’m in, but I know I will get great counsel and advice. It’s nice to know that I’ve got that network at my fingertips now.

What is the advantage of studying EGMiM over an MBA?

When I was sitting down thinking about a tertiary postgraduate learning course – probably in a management space – I certainly couldn’t go past looking at MBAs.

For some of the universities I was looking at, the MBA programmes were not offered in a format that I felt was going to make where I was working and what I was working in possible or necessarily open the doors I was interested in so that really steered me towards the EGMiM opportunity.

When I looked at the options globally, LSE’s EGMiM course ticked all those boxes. A university with global prestige and a degree that is offered right in the heart of London – in the heart of everything – is just incredibly attractive.

I felt the EGMiM was more fundamental but opened up how to think and how to analyse a little bit more, having a more classically structured management degree approach to it as opposed to a very tailored MBA program. I just felt that for me an MBA probably wasn’t as well suited to what I was looking for.

What advice would you give to the next EGMiM cohort?

The advice I’d give to the next EGMiM cohort is to lean into your peers and embrace the diversity of the cohort – getting to know them, challenging each other and learning from each other. For me, that was an incredibly valuable experience that I know is going to last a lifetime.

You can watch the full interview here.

Learn more about the Executive Global Master’s in Management (EGMiM) programme.