For MBA graduate Ashish Motwani, the AGSM alumni network at UNSW was just as crucial as technical ability when it came to securing his new role with online travel company, Expedia.
While working as a project management officer for a UK-based energy company, Ashish felt he needed to improve on his skills in order to move forward in his career.
“Having worked in the technology field for a few years and being a technology enthusiast, I felt that there was a gap in the knowledge I needed in order to get to the next level in my career,” he said.
“I was hitting the ceiling where I was working and saw that the management there had all completed their MBAs. That’s when I decided to get into a MBA program.”
Through an MBA with AGSM Ashish found the tools to think about problems in a methodological way. He credits his learnings with preparing him to tackle problems in any function of a business, equipping him to with the skills to analyse problems and find solutions.
While his MBA provided him with the skills and knowledge, Ashish found the solid AGSM alumni network extremely valuable, eventually helping him secure his current position with Expedia.
“There was an internship opportunity created by their Director of Customer Experience, Justin Lee, who’d completed his Executive MBA at AGSM three years ago.”
“The news was passed onto class and I applied. Rather than going through a formal cover letter and resume approach, we were asked to write a two-page essay on what customer experience means to us. That led to an interview and thankfully I was selected.”
Once Ashish’s six month internship came to and end he was offered a senior merchandiser role, requiring him to have an in-depth understanding of customer needs and how to sell product efficiently.
Ashish credits the supportive alumni network at AGSM with getting him his start in the industry, believing these types of associations are crucial for helping graduates access career opportunities.
“Getting through that first barrier is really important and something I feel only your network can do for you,” he said.
“It can really help if there’s someone looking out for you who believes that you have the capability but just need a chance to prove yourself. That does not happen if you’re applying for jobs on portals directly because you are just another resume-holder.”
“Your network is essentially what helps push you through. Then it’s up to you how you perform in interviews.”
