Volunteering - Henley Business School
I help people learn and achieve their potential throughout their learning journey
Henley Business School - Ambassador For MBA Programmes
Henley Business School was founded in 1945, and was the first business school to be established in the UK and is one of the oldest and most respected schools in Europe. It is consistently ranked among the world’s top 50 business schools by the Financial Times and The Economist. Currently Henley Business School is ranked 4th in the UK, 12th in Europe, and 20th in the world (by the Financial Times).
Henley Business School is also among an elite group of business schools - the top 1% in the world – to be triple-accredited for the quality and capability of our faculty and output.
The Situation:
Henley Business School offers a premium MBA programme which has 6 cohorts (intakes) each year in the UK through the different learning modes of study (1 full-time, 1 executive, and 4 flexible learning).
Individuals that are interested in registering onto the Henley MBA programme attend preview days which are organised by the Business School. The purpose of these preview days is for the prospective course member to gain an understanding:
- the course syllabus
- the commitment required to complete the course
- the kind of person that studies the MBA
- how an MBA can help with personal and career development
- what differentiates the Henley MBA from other MBA courses available at other institutions
The Task:
The Business School requires a number volunteers; both current programme members and alumni to meet privately with prospective course members to answer any questions they may have. These questions are usually focused around the learning and assessment experience, study trip experience, how to effectively network with alumni, what skills and experiences I have taken from the MBA and how I have been able to use them.
The Action:
At each MBA preview day; I address the group of prospective course members and explain my motives for studying an MBA, the factors in deciding to come to Henley, my experience of studying and what I felt I achieved. Following this I join a smaller group in a breakout room and answer any questions that they have. Discussions continue over lunch and potentially on a one to one basis afterwards.
I started to volunteer at MBA preview days in February 2010 and continued through to October 2012. Initially as an MBA student and later as a member of the alumni, After a 4 year break I now volunteer at Preview days once again,
The Result:
Having answered all the questions from prospective MBA cohort members, these people are able to make an informed decision as to whether the course is right for them. If they are still interested they will make a formal application to join and subject to meeting the rigorous selection criteria they will join the course. Those that do not feel the 'Henley experience' is right for them may choose to apply when their situation changes, or will either choose an MBA from another school or decide not to proceed at all.
I get personal satisfaction from taking part in the MBA Preview Days as it is an excellent networking opportunity. It is also good to meet people that I keep in contact with when they join the MBA programme and I observe their personal development through their learning journey.