Growing up in a small town in Lithuania, I was a girl who dreamed big – and I still do. However, I could never have imagined that my journey would take me around the world and eventually lead me to Oxford and to becoming the entrepreneur I am today. In this blog, I’d like to share a little more about that journey and how the Oxford Executive MBA has shaped my life in the most significant and wonderful ways.
I was raised in Lithuania during the Soviet Union era by a single mother and my grandmother. Both worked really hard but struggled to make ends meet. While spending time with my grandmother during her night shifts at a furniture factory, I understood, through the stories I read and the struggles they faced, that this was not the life I envisaged for myself. However, I didn’t fully grasp the gravity of their situation until I turned 18. With my mother and grandmother now out of work, I felt compelled to take action.
Overcoming setbacks
I cut my university studies short, borrowed money from a relative, and purchased a one-way ticket to New York. I spent a year working as an au pair. After a brief return to Lithuania, where I completed my second year at university, I came back to the US, working seven days a week while finishing my degree in the evenings. I supported my family while pursuing my education. At a very young age, amid challenges and setbacks, I learned through hard work that I am responsible for my own happiness and the path I choose to follow.
After earning my master’s degree, it was pure persistence and determination that landed me a job as an education counselor with the US Department of Defense. Later, I joined Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as an executive assistant to support one of the senior leaders and teams, giving me access to the most fascinating and intellectual group in the organization. Over 14 years at BCG, I transitioned from an executive assistant to a client-facing role as a director of learning and development.
However, despite this transformational career path, I was searching for a role that would have a genuine impact on me personally. Once again, BCG’s leadership supported me, which ultimately led me to the Oxford Executive MBA.
I could never have imagined that my journey would take me around the world and eventually lead me to Oxford and to becoming the entrepreneur I am today.
A transformative experience
My two-year journey on the program has been intellectually stimulating, rewarding, reflective, and, at times, challenging. It has proven transformative in ways I could never have imagined. Of course, you learn all the essential business tools from the best but it’s the people who make this experience truly special.
You are taught by incredible professors but you’re also learning alongside your classmates, who include business leaders, professional athletes, and senior government advisors – all gathered in one classroom. This diversity brings a vast range of perspectives.
During the program, you have the space and time to reflect on what you want out of life. Our class discussions, though sometimes challenging, helped shape both my professional outlook and personal aspirations. Ultimately, you develop a group of trusted advisors who are there to support you. Your fellow students become an extension of your own family.
Following my dreams
At the end of the program, I returned to BCG and was promoted. However, I felt something was missing. I was looking for a new sense of meaning. That’s when I began to consider how I could take what I loved the most and was great at – and continue to innovate and make it my own. I spoke with my closest friends and colleagues, and after 48 hours, I decided that it was now or never. That’s when Spark to Connect was born. My company offers youth summer programs that empower teenagers to follow their dreams, learn and get inspired. We’re now running programs in the UK, Europe and the US.
Setting up Spark to Connect required a huge leap of faith, risk and the support of people I trust and love the most. I’d never run a business before, and the Executive MBA allowed me to deepen my understanding of essential business topics. My experiences at Oxford gave me the courage, confidence and knowledge to follow my dreams. I would never have made that leap from employee to entrepreneur without the Executive MBA and the support from the teaching faculty and my fellow students.
My experiences at Oxford gave me the courage, confidence and knowledge to follow my dreams.
Reflecting on my journey
Looking back now, I see that hard work is not enough. Education, a curiosity for learning, resilience and the people you surround yourself with are key to your success. Little did I know back then that Oxford Executive MBA would become a pivotal part of that journey.
Find out more about the Oxford Executive MBA.
