Here at MYP, we often hear stories about career pivots, personal growth and taking bold steps forward. Few journeys capture that spirit quite like Tom’s.
Tom has recently begun studying the MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), but his route to the programme has been anything but traditional. From pursuing a career in football to navigating injury, reinventing himself in the property world and now launching his own business ambitions, Tom’s story is one of resilience, curiosity and the courage to start again.
For anyone considering an MBA but unsure whether it is the right step, Tom’s journey offers a powerful perspective.
A life built around football
For most of his early life, Tom’s focus was simple: football. He started playing at just five years old and quickly developed into a highly competitive player. By his teenage years, football was more than a hobby, it was the path he believed his future would follow.
Tom played at a strong level throughout his youth across numerous sports, including competing as a Manchester championship runner for several years. At 19, he had already spent time around the professional football environment, playing semi-professionally for teams like FC United and representing Manchester FA at county level. He also had trials with clubs including Leicester City, West Ham United and Sheffield United.
Like many young athletes chasing a professional career, football became his entire focus.
“I pushed football heavily from the age of 12,” Tom explained. “At that point I genuinely believed I would become a professional footballer.”
But sport can be unpredictable. A serious injury to his right leg, damaging his LCL, forced him to reconsider his path.
Reinventing life after football
With his football ambitions suddenly interrupted, Tom had to rethink his future. Inspired by family members who worked in property, he decided to explore the industry and initially began training as a quantity surveyor. After a year in the role, he realised it wasn’t quite the right fit. Rather than settling, he pivoted again. Tom enrolled at the University of Salford and switched his focus to real estate, completing a degree in the subject. Just as he had done with football, he approached his studies with the same discipline and intensity.
“That competitive mindset I had in sport, I applied it to my career,” he said.
After graduating, Tom went on to work in commercial valuation at CBRE and later qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. Alongside this, his interest in sport never completely disappeared, he even qualified as a personal trainer on the side.
But despite building a strong professional foundation, something still felt missing.
Searching for something bigger
Throughout his career, Tom knew he was entrepreneurial at heart. He had ideas for businesses and a desire to build something of his own, but he often felt he lacked the connections, network and team to turn those ideas into reality at a high standard to achieve constant growth.
“I always wanted to do something entrepreneurial,” he said. “But I didn’t necessarily have the right network or business community around me to make it happen.”
At the same time, Tom felt increasingly drawn to working with people who shared a similar mindset.
“I wanted to meet like-minded people,” he explained. “People who were thinking outside the typical 9-to-5.”
This search for a broader perspective eventually led him to explore the idea of an MBA.
Discovering the MBA through MYP
Tom first came across the MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School through Manchester Young Professionals events. After attending sessions hosted by AMBS, he began to learn more about the programme, its structure and the opportunities it could offer.
At one of these events he also met Alice, an MBA student whose journey inspired him to explore the programme further.
“The events gave me the chance to understand what the MBA was really about and what it could lead to,” Tom said.
For Tom, the appeal was clear. The MBA offered the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of business, gain exposure to international perspectives and connect with ambitious individuals from a wide range of industries.
Choosing the full-time MBA
One of the key decisions Tom had to make was whether to study the MBA full-time or part-time. While many professionals choose the part-time route alongside their job, Tom knew he wanted something different.
“I didn’t want to stay in the 9-to-5 while studying,” he explained. “I wanted to fully immerse myself in the experience and figure out what my real passion is.”
The full-time MBA gave him exactly that opportunity. A chance to step away from routine, explore new ideas and commit completely to his next chapter.
The reality of the MBA experience
Like many students entering an MBA programme, Tom admits he initially underestimated the intensity of the experience.
“I was quite naive going in and didn’t realise just how busy it would be.”
What surprised him most was the level of collaboration and the amount of group work involved.
“You’re constantly multitasking, working with different people and managing multiple projects at once. It’s challenging, but in a really good way.”
For Tom, this environment has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the programme so far. The age range of students on the MBA programme is 23-39, with the average age being 29 and holds students from over 20 nationalities. Working alongside these talented individuals from different industries and backgrounds has broadened his perspective and strengthened the skills he hopes to use in future ventures.
Funding an MBA
One concern many prospective students have is how to fund an MBA. Tom acknowledges that it requires planning and commitment, but he emphasises that there are more options available than people might think.
He secured scholarship support from the business school and separately on merit, received a scholarship from the Masood family. He had also been saving towards the programme beforehand.
“AMBS offers a range of scholarships, from partial funding to full scholarships,” he said.
Applicants can also present their ideas and ambitions to potential donors, which can open up additional funding opportunities. For Tom, the key message is simple, do not assume the MBA is financially out of reach.
A new chapter
Now that he has begun the MBA, Tom is already seeing the benefits of stepping outside his comfort zone. The programme is helping him refine his business thinking, expand his network and explore new entrepreneurial opportunities. In fact, he is currently working on something exciting that he plans to announce later this year.
For someone who has reinvented himself multiple times, the MBA represents another step forward in a journey defined by growth and curiosity.
Advice for anyone considering an MBA
For those who may feel uncertain about their career direction, Tom has a clear message.
“Use the fire you have in your belly to reinvent yourself,” he said.
Throughout his life, he has reinvented himself several times. From footballer, to property professional, to now MBA student and entrepreneur.
His advice for anyone considering an MBA?
“Go for it. Don’t overthink it. It’s already been life-changing.”
Thinking about your own next step?
Tom’s journey is a reminder that careers are rarely linear. Sometimes the most important moments come from taking a step back, learning something new and surrounding yourself with people who challenge the way you think.
For those looking to expand their skills, grow their network and explore new possibilities, the MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School offers exactly that kind of environment.
And as Tom’s story shows, it might just be the catalyst for your next chapter. Follow along to see what Tom gets up to during his time at AMBS and how he navigates his MBA.
Learning more about an MBA
If you would like to find out more about an MBA at Manchester Alliance Business School, please read more in the brochures below.
If you would like to speak to someone about the MBA, please contact:
Charlotte Xie
Senior Marketing & Recruitment Officer, Alliance Manchester Business School
charlotte.xie@manchester.ac.uk
