Asking for help has made me stronger

I was thrown a curveball when I found out I was pregnant in 2022, at the end of Stage 3 of my MBA. My immediate concern was that I would not be able to continue with my studies with a baby on the way, but thanks to my programme manager’s guidance and Henley’s flexibility I was able to submit all my assignments and, most importantly, my research proposal on time.

I am so proud that I was able to graduate at the same time as the rest of my cohort, under the circumstances, but that would not have been possible without the support of my family, the greater Henley community and my classmates who, despite their own study pressures, checked up on me regularly.

Attending the graduation ceremony at Greenlands, Henley UK’s campus was one of the best experiences of my life. During orientation at very beginning of the MBA we were shown a photo of a previous cohort receiving their degrees at Henley UK, and I knew then that I wanted to do the same thing with my cohort. It was the first affirmation I wrote down after enrolling at Henley, and having my dream come true was unbelievable.

Being a Henley graduate has made me more visible. The school’s reputation and accreditation are unmatched, and the Henley way of studying has boosted my confidence and given me access to more opportunities than I ever had before.

But more than that, doing the MBA was a journey of self-discovery and the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me forever. One of the most enduring lessons learned is that life presents us with endless possibilities, and we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to, both professionally and personally. I learned so much about myself; my resilience was tested, and I was able to explore my strengths and weaknesses.

The tools we were given – especially in personal mastery – in particular really helped me juggle it all. Continuous reflection and knowing when to ask for help or to delegate was something I applied at home, on campus and at work. In my role at ITOO Special Risks (Pty) Ltd, an underwriting agency for the Hollard Group of companies, I head up the Professional Indemnity Product, leading a team of six colleagues. There I relied on my team, at home I leaned on my community, and at Henley I either worked with a tutor or asked my programme manager for guidance.

In hindsight I know that asking for help has made me stronger. If I had one piece of advice for MBAs starting out on their journey that would be it. Lean on your programme managers and use the resources available to you. They know what it takes to complete the MBA, and they are there to guide and support you. The tutors are also excellent, as are the subject professors, read and understand assignment briefs, because they are key components for success.