She now plans to begin an MBA program to broaden her already international experiences and gain new ways of thinking.
She spoke to BusinessBecause about her career, her plans for the future and her desire for easier access to educational facilities in Africa.
What interested you about Italian studies and photography?
After finishing my postgraduate degree in business science at the University of Cape Town I was accepted into a unique international study abroad program called Semester at Sea.
My year was structured around this and as it began in June, I decided to indulge my passion for food and photography in Florence. My family is from Italy and I had always wished to spend time living in the country, both to learn the language and connect with where my relatives had come from.
What has your career progression at Quirk been like?
I started out in the graduate program in the Cape Town office. This provided a foundation for understanding the various digital disciplines in the business.
At the end of this program I was offered a position as an analyst. With an increasing focus on using data to inform business decisions, I worked across campaigns to ensure the results informed planning for our clients.
A year later, I moved to our London office and worked in a similar capacity. This role had not existed previously, so I have helped to establish and grow our in-house data offering.
Since 2013 I have worked as a consultant, with a focus on data, and user experience planning and design, and have been directly managing a team. This year I was selected for a leadership development program – Future Giants.
What kinds of projects do you work on at Quirk?
They are related to digital consultancy and capability building and delivery. I work with our clients to define and articulate the role of digital across their business, not just as a marketing function.
The work is exciting, as it is across industries and markets.
Why do you wish to begin an MBA program?
I hope to deepen my business knowledge in an environment in which I am learning from individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives. It will provide me with a practical orientation in problem solving in a global context, and will build my network of future business leaders.
What makes you stand out as a candidate?
I grew up in South Africa but have lived and worked across Africa and in Europe, plus have studied at an American university. This has allowed me to develop the skills to adapt to different environments.
Although I have worked with global brands, my experience has provided exposure to a market with huge growth opportunity. Experience in emerging markets is extremely valuable.
I have a solid foundation in digital, with a focus on data. In recent years these have been a priority for businesses.
How will you fund the MBA?
I have put money aside on a regular basis. I will use these savings to fund part of the cost, supported by loans to cover the remainder.
Which business schools will you apply to?
I am considering Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, IE Business School, London Business School, Hult International Business School and Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.
What are the most important factors for you in choosing these business schools?
I am looking for a school that has a diverse cohort of students, as well as a global focus. I visited a number of business school campuses and information sessions, providing me the opportunity to meet staff, students and alumni and understand more about the culture, philosophy and learning environment at the school – all key factors influencing my decision.
The final criterion is the school’s focus on social innovation and entrepreneurship, specifically as part of the course work.
How do you plan to balance GMAT or GRE studies with your current work?
It has certainly proved challenging. I set weekly goals, including goals for the sections I need to complete for the week, or how much time I allocate to studying. I share the goals with a friend.
The GMAT prep applications on my iPad have proved very useful, as I can work through the practice questions on my commute [to work].
What are your future career goals, and how do you plan to leverage an MBA to achieve them?
Education is the key to Africa achieving greater economic success. I would like to use my foundation in digital and the skills I [will] acquire during my MBA to develop a dynamic approach to facilitating easy access to this vital need in Africa.
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