5 Minutes with MBA Graduate Alex Zapantis

MBA Graduate Alex Zapantis shares how the AIB monthly learning model helped him to complete the MBA in just over 12 months.

How did you find the programme structure of the AIB MBA?

I think one thing that attracted me to the AIB programme was that each subject lasted a month, so you knew that within the month you would start a subject, learn the subject and finish the subject. It made it quite easy to break the programme down into bite sized components that you could manage, so I managed on a monthly timeframe. I think that was material in helping me to manage the studies. I think also that because it’s an online programme, it allowed you to study from anywhere at any time, and that provided additional flexibility in terms of being able to manage your time. The biggest challenge for me was time management throughout this process.

How did your colleagues react to you completing the MBA in just over twelve months?

People were generally surprised that you could complete the course in twelve months. It was only when they understood the intensity of the course, that unlike a normal university course where you’re at university for two semesters or thirteen weeks each, so you’re only actually studying twenty-six weeks of the year. The AIB course is straight through, no breaks. That’s why you can get through the material in a compressed timeline.

Do you feel that the MBA programme has attributed to your success so far?

Definitely. It has given me more confidence and opened my eyes to some other possibilities that I wouldn’t have otherwise considered had I not done the MBA. Professionally, it’s certainly better armed me to perform at a higher level in my current role and I think it has put me in a good place in terms of advancement as well. I’m in the mining industry and it is currently down-turned and a lot of good people are leaving the industry and my company. With the MBA, my company has decided to retain me. I think education generally is enabling in whatever field and endeavour. You need to have the right education, and these days formal education is highly valued, so I think the MBA definitely has helped.

What were your perceptions of say the quality?

The quality was excellent. The notes that we were provided with gave us an excellent framework in terms of understanding what the content of subject was, and the textbooks and papers that were recommended provided excellent reading. The access to the online library I think was brilliant.

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This article has been constructed by Megan Baker from an AIB interview. The very best has been done to accurately reflect the thoughts and opinions of the participant.