Six Months On: How the MBA Helped Tom Find Direction Again
Six months ago, we shared Tom’s story. After years of chasing a professional football career, rebuilding in the property industry and qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor, Tom joined the MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) looking for something more. He wanted to rediscover his passion, surround himself with like-minded people and gain the skills and confidence to build something of his own.
Now, six months into the programme, we caught up with him to see what’s changed. Here’s what he had to say.
Looking back: Becoming comfortable with uncertainty
When we first spoke, Tom admitted he was searching for a new direction after leaving behind the identity that football had given him for so many years.
Looking back now, the biggest change hasn’t been his career. It’s been his mindset.
“I’ve come out of my shell a lot more. I’m far less worried about what other people think when you change direction. I’ve become comfortable with uncertainty and comfortable being uncomfortable. That’s where the growth happens.”
That mindset shift has changed how he approaches opportunities, challenges and even failure. The MBA has given him this opportunity to change perspectives.
When asked what advice he’d give himself on day one of the MBA, his answer was surprisingly simple.
“I’d tell myself to enjoy the process more and not be so hard on myself. Don’t just focus on the end outcome because you miss everything you’re learning along the way.”
It’s a lesson that many ambitious professionals can probably relate to!
Personal development: Building confidence beyond the classroom
One of the biggest changes Tom has noticed has been in his confidence. Public speaking, something that once felt daunting, now feels far more natural. Since starting the MBA, he’s found himself speaking at conferences about his own business and presenting with a level of confidence he didn’t think he had.
“I definitely feel more capable now. Speaking in front of people doesn’t feel anywhere near as intimidating as it did at the beginning.”
The programme has also helped him reconnect with what matters most. Football once defined success for Tom, but today, success looks very different.
Rather than chasing one identity, Tom says the MBA has helped him realign with his values, rediscover his passions and gain much more clarity around the life and career he wants to build.
Professional growth: Learning to control your own narrative
When asked about the biggest lessons from the MBA so far, Tom didn’t immediately mention finance, strategy or operations. Instead, he spoke about something much more personal.
“The biggest lesson has been understanding the importance of your own narrative. How you see yourself, how you communicate your story and how other people perceive your business all matter”.
A large part of this has come from the programme’s strategy module, taught by Professor Reza, which explores strategic thinking through real-world business case studies backed by research.
Rather than simply learning business theory, Tom says the course has challenged him to think differently about leadership, storytelling and how successful organisations position themselves.
It’s a lesson that has influenced not only his studies but also how he presents himself professionally.
Turning ideas into reality
When we first interviewed Tom, he told us he had plenty of business ideas but felt he lacked the network and knowledge to bring them to life. Six months later, that’s beginning to change. One of the biggest advantages of studying at AMBS has been access to its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, accelerator programmes and regular networking events, Tom has been able to test ideas, receive feedback from experienced founders and lecturers, and connect with professionals who have already built successful businesses.
“The university community is incredible if you tap into it. I’ve been able to bounce ideas off industry professionals, access mentors and have conversations I simply wouldn’t have had before.”
The MBA has also changed how he thinks about building a business. A lesson from his strategy classes has stayed with him throughout the programme.
“One thing that’s really stuck with me is that the best businesses stay close to their communities and where innovation happens. That’s why I want to stay connected to the university because that’s where great conversations and opportunities happen.”
Alongside the MBA, Tom has also completed the Venture Builder Programme, where he’s developed his own business idea, Chew Chew, while learning how to build a business model, create a go-to-market strategy, attract customers and pitch confidently to investors.
More than networking
Meeting like-minded people was one of the biggest reasons Tom chose the MBA. It’s safe to say it has exceeded his expectations. Studying alongside people from different industries, countries and cultures has fundamentally changed how he communicates and collaborates.
“It’s helped me understand different cultures, different mindsets and different ways of thinking. I can have much better conversations with people from all over the world than I could before.”
Some of the biggest lessons haven’t come from lecturers at all. Instead, they’ve come from classmates. During one presentation, fellow students encouraged Tom to put his script away and simply be himself.
That advice completely changed how he presents.
“You can’t learn that from a textbook. Sometimes you just have to experience it.”
The reality of the MBA
While Tom describes the experience as transformational, he’s also honest about the challenges.
“I question myself every day.”
Rather than seeing uncertainty as something negative, he now views it as part of the journey. Staying true to his values and trusting his instincts has become one of his biggest personal lessons.
He also believes many people underestimate just how demanding an MBA can be. The workload is significant, requiring students to balance multiple projects, presentations, consultancy work and deadlines simultaneously. But it’s this challenge that drives growth. What surprised him most wasn’t the workload itself. It was the community.
“I didn’t expect to make so many lifelong friends. Everyone is going through the same experience together, so you celebrate the highs and support each other through the difficult moments.”
Looking ahead
One of the biggest surprises since starting the MBA has been the opportunities that have emerged.
Tom recently secured a technology consulting internship at Infosys, opening the door to an industry he had never previously considered. Working within technology has also given him exposure to AI and emerging innovation, broadening his perspective even further.
Alongside this, he’s continuing to develop his own business idea, supported by everything he’s learned throughout the programme.
For someone who joined the MBA looking for direction, he now feels far clearer about where he’s heading.
Advice & misconceptions for anyone considering an MBA
When asked about the biggest misconception surrounding MBA programmes in the UK, Tom believes many people simply assume they’re inaccessible.
“People often think they can’t afford it or that you need to know the right people. That’s just not true.”
He points to the range of scholarships available through Alliance Manchester Business School, alongside other funding opportunities that make the programme much more accessible than many people realise.
So, has it all been worth it?
For Tom, the answer is immediate.
“Absolutely. It’s allowed me to completely change direction and go after what I really want. I’ve explored opportunities I never thought I’d have and I’ve grown more than I expected.”
A journey that’s only just beginning
Six months ago, Tom joined the MBA searching for clarity. Today, he’s more confident, more connected and more certain of the future he wants to create.
His story is a reminder that an MBA isn’t simply about gaining business knowledge. It’s about developing the confidence to embrace change, challenge your thinking and unlock opportunities you may never have considered before.
As Tom puts it, the real transformation doesn’t happen when you graduate. It starts the moment you decide to take the leap.
If you would like to find out more about the MBA programme, please follow the links below or email Charlotte Xie, Senior Marketing & Recruitment Officer at Alliance Manchester Business School.
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