Paul Montgomery-Wade was working for the European Investment Fund, a European Union institution in Luxembourg, when he made the decision to study for an Executive MBA. “I was an accountant,” he says “and although I was originally from a legal background in terms of my undergraduate degree, I was regularly subjected to the view that, as an accountant, I was ‘unable to think outside the box’.”
Paul selected the Oxford Executive MBA because of the international reputation of Oxford University and the Saïd Business School’s strength in entrepreneurship. “Also, the modular format was perfect for me,” he says, “because it didn’t impact on my work too much. Having occasional one-week and two-week modules was nice because it gave me the opportunity to soak up some of the 'Oxford experience'. In addition, it was very helpful that Oxford had already factored in the accommodation and meals and this made things so much easier in terms of logistics.”
Paul joined the Oxford Executive MBA in January 2008 and in August 2009, just before completing the programme, was promoted to a more senior role with the European Investment Bank, another EU institution. “This promotion was significant in terms of the new level that I would be working but, more importantly for me, because it was a departure from the type of work I was doing previously,” he says. “The director who interviewed me for the position certainly appreciated the fact that I had taken the initiative to undertake an MBA and especially the fact that it was at Oxford.”
The highlight of the programme for Paul was being part of a closely-knit class drawn from over 20 different countries. “Being able to mix with such a diverse group of people of different ages, nationalities, cultures and personalities adds a value to the programme that, in my view, is priceless,” he says. “This is where the classroom-based approach to the teaching is particularly ideal because it affords everyone the opportunity to experience points of view from such a wide range of individuals.”
Looking back on his EMBA experience, Paul says that the programme has benefited not just his academic understanding of different aspects of management but also his personal and professional development. He is now more self-confident and has clearer aspirations about what he wants to achieve in the future. “The entrepreneurial focus of the EMBA has served to heighten and crystallize my long-standing desire to start up a new venture and I believe it will help me to achieve that goal in the future.”
“I regard the EMBA as being much more than simply an academic experience,” Paul says in conclusion. “For me, it was a life-changing experience where I have learned and gained in ways that are beyond being merely academic. I have made some friends that will be friends for life and I have some memories that I will cherish for life. Quite simply, it was worth every penny and I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to invest the time and effort to study such a prestigious programme.”