What motivated you to start the Pharma MBA at this stage of your career, especially while working full-time?
The idea of doing an MBA actually first came to me during my main studies. Back then, I realized that in the long run I’d probably see myself more in a commercial or cross-functional role than in a traditional research position. That also made me question whether pursuing a PhD would really be the right path for me. A doctorate is very common in the sciences, of course, but in the end it’s still a strong specialization in research. At the same time, I became increasingly aware that my studies had been missing one important perspective: business. I knew a lot about neurons, proteins, and viral infections, but very little about strategic management, corporate strategy, or organizational behavior. I remember thinking how interesting it would be if there were some kind of specialization for business-oriented roles in the industry. Well, there is: an MBA. Since MBA programs typically require professional experience, I deliberately chose to first enter the workforce and pursue the degree at a later stage.
The first semester of an MBA can be intense. How did you experience the transition back into academic life?
Ooof… mainly as exhausting! (laughs) I had completely forgotten what it feels like to live by the rhythm of a semester. I had basically erased terms like “exam period” from my memory. And honestly, I hadn’t missed cafeteria food either. And doing all of this on top of a full-time job? Why would anybody do this to themselves?! There were definitely moments where I asked myself this question. (laughs) But jokes aside, academically I got back into it surprisingly quickly. It feels good to step outside your own bubble. To do something for the first time, embrace the challenge, and really work through the material until it finally clicks. At the same time, it was incredibly motivating to be surrounded by such talented people from all corners of the industry. In a way, that also felt very familiar.
Looking back at the past months, was there a specific moment when you realized you had made the right decision to join the program?
It honestly wasn’t one single moment, but rather a lot of smaller ones: Meeting the cohort for the first time during orientation days. Sitting in the first finance lecture and thinking: this is exactly the perspective I’ve been missing. Then the marketing and sales lectures, which immediately felt like home turf for me. But also every time I sat outside on campus with my study group, with a coffee in my hand, planning the next steps together. Those are the moments that repeatedly remind me that this was the right decision.
Which course or topic challenged you the most so far, and what did you take away from it for your professional role?
Coming from a scientific background and later moving into marketing and sales, I was already used to navigating different perspectives and cultures. That’s probably why I found the subjects outside my previous focus area especially interesting, particularly finance, leadership, and strategy-related topics. In general, though, I think MBA programs shouldn’t be judged by individual courses alone. What really matters is the breadth they provide and how much they encourage you to engage with new ways of thinking, new challenges, and entirely different skill sets. Because at the end of the day, companies are complex organisms. Different gears need to work together, processes need to align, and functions have to collaborate effectively. And throughout all of that, you can never lose sight of the people involved, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, where the patient ultimately has to remain at the center of everything. That’s exactly why looking beyond your own discipline is, to me, one of the most important things an MBA should teach.
How has learning alongside professionals from different backgrounds shaped your thinking?
Even though many of us share a scientific background, the Pharma MBA cohort itself is incredibly diverse. People come from all areas of the industry, from HR and marketing to manufacturing and quality management. It’s genuinely exciting to have all of those perspectives in one room. You quickly realize how many different strengths people bring to the table, and how much only becomes possible because of that diversity. At the same time, you also develop a much deeper understanding of the challenges other functions are dealing with. Honestly, I think companies could benefit from creating more spaces like this. In day-to-day business, we still tend to work in silos far too often. That makes it even more important to think beyond functional boundaries.
Looking back on the first semester, what surprised you most – either about the program, your cohort, or about yourself?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it surprised me, but early on I did notice quite clearly that the gender balance within the cohort is still rather uneven, with roughly two men for every woman. I know the business school is actively working on creating a more balanced ratio over time. At the same time, this obviously reflects a broader structural issue that affects many programs and industries. That’s why it’s important that all of us continue to actively support these efforts.
As you move into the next phase of the program, what are you particularly looking forward to?
The program evolves with every semester. The next phase will focus much more strongly on the pharmaceutical value chain, followed by electives and eventually the master’s thesis. I’m especially looking forward to the electives and the thesis because they’ll offer a chance to dive deeper into specific topics and connect different parts of the program in a more focused way. But of course, I’m also looking forward to finishing the program itself. Reaching that point where everything finally comes together and you can actually hold the outcome of the entire MBA journey in your hands… that’s got to be a pretty great moment.