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 Nora Nelson-Wiggins
General MBA, Liverpool John Moores University
University previously attended University of Liverpool, UK
Degree obtained Postgraduate Certificate in Software Technology
Country of origin Nigeria
Age 36 years
'An attraction of the MBA programme at LJMU was that it offered me considerable choice.'
Career history
Nora Nelson-Wiggins has over eight years of proven ability in strategic customer relationship/ account management, project management, business development, information gathering, building strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, and interfacing/liaising with external clients and third-party suppliers. She is adept in team development and highly proficient in negotiation, with strong presentation, oral and written communication skills.
Why an MBA?
I wanted to take an MBA to help me obtain a challenging role within a dynamic international environment. I wanted to work in an environment where there would be opportunities for advancement, and where I could draw on the skills built over eight years of customer-relationship management, project management, business analysis, consultancy, business development and technology experience.
Why Liverpool John Moores?
Finding an MBA that would help me develop those skills in a flexible way was important to me. I was impressed by the approach of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and, even though I was one of the first students on their full-time programme, was confident that they could help me develop my career. I was not wrong!
People want different things from an MBA. In addition to helping develop new skills, the course had to complement my personality. I am a confident, enthusiastic and highly motivated professional with a desire to learn new things. I am a hard worker and am also loyal and committed, and expected this from the LJMU staff and my colleagues on the programme. The staff did not let me down, and I was both pushed and supported to achieve my goals.
Studying
I studied in a small group that was truly multinational. The perspectives they provided were a valuable addition to my learning and I made some good friends. The School provided considerable support to international students through such things as English-language support and student welfare advisers. There was, in addition, a generally supportive environment and an informal atmosphere, which meant that academic staff were easily accessible when help was needed. The course was challenging and you needed to work hard, but the support to complete it was there and, as a member of a small class, you always felt like an individual, not just a name and number.
Flexibility
An attraction of the MBA programme at LJMU was that it offered me considerable choice. In particular, the flexible assessment methods allowed me to focus on issues that were relevant to me. Assessments were designed to give participants freedom in designing their own coursework, which added even more value to the programme. The extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff were able to help with the issues that I wanted to study, and the Learning Resource Centre provided research material from all over the globe. The staff, in particular in the Learning Resource Centre, were incredibly helpful and able to find a source of information to answer virtually every query.
This was especially useful when it came to the dissertation. As it represented a third of the course, it was clearly important, and was also a chance for me to showcase my existing and newly acquired skills. This was probably the best part of the course, as it allowed me virtually complete freedom to research the topics that I wanted to do. My academic supervisor was supportive, but this was my work and I was incredibly proud when I submitted it.
Next steps
After leaving LJMU, I worked as a consultant, then joined an information technology company. Now working for the largest airport management company in the world, I have an opportunity to put into practice the skills I developed at LJMU and which I am still developing.
Final thoughts
Would I recommend LJMU? Absolutely! I have visited since I graduated, and talked to later groups about my work and plans. I hope that has helped inspire them to achieve their dreams as I am realising mine.
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