Ira Destiana (2017), Business Analyst
I joined the University of Aberdeen MBA having first studied an undergraduate Management degree (focusing on financial management) at Universitas Indonesia. In my undergraduate degree, we used business simulations, which made me curious about Excel and I started to utilize the application for analysing any financial cases.
My analysis skills further developed when in 2011 I started working as a Corporate Financial Analyst in an energy company in Jakarta. In this role, I specialized in developing a financial planning and budgeting tool for the company focussed on the downstream sector. Due to the company needs, in 2013 I moved to another business unit which focused this time on the upstream sector. Here my role was as System Control Analyst and I learned to understand how the systems work in the company to support its business process and report development.
In 2016 I had a big opportunity to pursue my graduate degree, and I signed up for the MBA at the University of Aberdeen. Because I was born and raised in an equatorial country, one of the things that excited me most about living in Aberdeen in the UK was to experience its four seasons. I joined the programme in September, so the late summer-early autumn vibe amazed me with its beauty; bright blue skies with vibrant green trees and plants that later changed colour. Taking classes in the New King building, I loved the look of the green leaves on the wall outside the building turning from green to brown and then yellow as autumn moved into summer.
Before I arrived in Aberdeen, I thought that most of my MBA classmates would be Aberdonian. In fact, there were so many nationalities across the University! I met students from Mexico, Nigeria, Germany, the USA, South Africa, China, Malaysia, India, and so many other nations. It was so exciting to learn a little bit about their cultures, traditions, and foods! I really enjoyed summer picnics with them in Seaton Park and at the beach.
Talking about the MBA programme, one of my favourite modules was Operation and Project Management. In the module, a part of the assessment was a group assignment. I was a part of a group of three joining my fellow Indonesian, Brian, and a Mexican, Felipe. We proposed to develop a wind power plant. The task was really challenging, as none of us had expertise in a wind energy sector. Working to develop the ideas we got closer day by day, as we learned in classes and also worked gathering and analysis the information needed in the library and preparing the group report. Even today, Brian, Felipe and I still have a good relationship.
From taking the MBA, I realized that having great technical skills in excel is not enough for me to grow and develop my career. I needed to learn more about business and businesses, especially those in energy industry; how the supply chain works and how to anticipate emerging futures. I also learned how to develop my interpersonal skills; how to work and communicate with others from different backgrounds, how to both lead and follow, and how to prioritise and manage my time to highlight just a few.
After graduating with my MBA, I went on to work as a Business Analyst in a leading private energy company in Indonesia. Without hesitation, I can say my Aberdeen MBA experience has helped me understand my role. It has undoubtedly also shaped my career journey in the company, and I am grateful for all of it.