Warwick Business School - Alumni Technology Network
Mark Skilton, Warwick MBA class of 1992 is one of the Lead Ambassadors of Warwick Alumni Association and head of the Technology Professional Network
Mark Skilton, head of Warwick Business School's Technology Professional Network, talks ubiquitous computing and helping students land projects
By
Wed May 23 2012
Mark Skilton is the Global Technical Lead for Cloud Solutions and Portfolio Services at Big Four Consulting firm Capgemini, based in the UK. His career to date includes roles at companies as diverse as BSkyB and tech outsourcing firm CSC.
Warwick Business School has an interesting approach to clubs: they are integrated with the alumni association, so MBA students who join the Technology Professional Network will immediately start interacting and working alongside Warwick alumni who are in the technology world.
This makes for great connections with the post-MBA corporate world, top level speakers at the Network’s events and, of course, great access to job opportunities!
What is the name of your club? What does it do?
The Technology Professional Network (TPN) is aimed at Warwick Business School alumni who have an interest in technology. This can be IT, engineering or any application of technology in business. Technology pervades everything that we do, so the club was created to talk about the impact that technology has on business and society and how it’s applied in social and commercial settings. As a b-school, Warwick are always looking at ways that technology is building business.
TPN is mostly made up of alumni, but anyone can join. We run webinars (online seminars and lectures) on topics delivered by alumni or technical industry experts – and both current MBA students and alumni are welcome to join in. We welcome all students from the business school’s graduate programmes, but the bulk of the members are alumni.
WBS alumni association has 30,000 members worldwide. We have the largest presence on Linkedin of any b-school in the UK and Europe, and we have the sixth or seventh largest presence of any business school in the world!
What are your Club’s big initiatives this year?
We have launched a set of technology lectures, which take place virtually as webinars. We talk about topics such as advanced engineering in manufacturing services, how innovation works with technology and how it can be used in a start-up to make money on the internet (the latter being one of the most popular!).
One discussion taking place this evening is entitled ‘Cloud services for start-ups’ with Stuart Turner, Founder and Director of Sapien. This webinar will explore some online web services that every early stage business should be aware of. Not just Google Apps, Wordpress and VOIP but Syncplicity, Dropbox, Zoho, Mailchimp, Survey Monkey, Evernote, Xero, Podio, Lastpass and the rest. As a start-up today, it’s often easier and less expensive to use better services than your past employer.
We typically have 20 to 30 people join us for the webinars but they’re all recorded on video and posted up to the WBS clubs platform for those who are in different time zones or missed the live session!
Another big thing we plan to do is extend our network to alumni and students in China and India – we want to be better connected with them. The plan is to set up a board of leaders and core group members within these areas.
How many members do you have?
At the moment we’ve got 500 members and a board of five to ten people who are working in four key areas:
Practical uses of technology - How to apply the theoretical learning from university and business school.
Technology in action - Real examples of nano technology, advanced engineering and small start-up case studies, illustrating how they’re using technology to accelerate products and services!
Showcasing research from Warwick Business School, a world leader - providing a gateway to alumni and subject matter experts, plus getting access to what the business school has been working on!
Engage the market - with emerging markets such as China and India, also contacting industry directly, in particular targeting the top 500 companies in the world.
We don’t have any corporate sponsors at this stage, although we would like to in the future. However, we are keen to remain ‘tech neutral’, with no particular bias towards one type of technology.
My background is with Capgemini – I’m the IT Guy!…But I realise that tech is not just about bits and bytes, and it can be about hard machines. We encompass the large scale and the small scale – having that breadth is the power of the community.
Why (and when) would someone join the club?
Most members join when they’re studying and looking to engage with alumni. They see it as a great networking opportunity. Once they’ve graduated and have moved on we try to bring them back into the network to contribute as alumni. I graduated many years ago, but I see this as a great way to give something back.
The TPN has a number of different roles for different people, depending on what stage they’re at in their careers. Personally, I enjoy the academic sessions but we attend Freshers Week for new students and provide them with opportunities to meet alumni and companies.
Right now I've got an MBA student coming into Capgemini for a three-month dissertation project – a great opportunity created by the TPN.
What has been the biggest challenge for your club so far?
Bandwidth. We have a huge number of alumni: 30,000 in total (not just in the tech club).
Within TPN, we need to cover all technology bases. Tech is pervasive in the way we socialise, work, create our government policy, in countries’ economies, their political structure, the ‘Arab Spring’.
Ubiquity is starting to be a buzz work…’ubiquitous computing’ - tech being everywhere - that’s the way the world is evolving. But there are consequences for sustainability and effects on the planet. This is extremely important for future generations.
The club infographic below, a technology globe/sphere, illustrates some of the types of technology in today's society, and it's pervasive nature!
To find the Technology Professional Network on LinkedIn click here and for information on other Warwick Business School Alumni groups check out the official Warwick alumni portal here.
I loved Warwick business school.
The staff is supportive, my academic tutor was key in my development throughout the 3 years and you have to meet with her/him every term. Most professors are helpful and would happily offer support if needed. You also have office hours and can contact professors by email and through the forum.
In general, WBS instills in you the willingness to learn and the resilience needed for you for whatever career you choose.
Very international community which broadens your horizon and makes you more open minded and self aware. You will most certainly make friends and memories for life. I recommend that you get outside of your comfort zone and try new activities with your friends!
WBS also has a great reputation and offers careers opportunities, and careers support throughout the degree.
There is the opportunity to do a year abroad to further develop on a personal level. I wasn’t able to do this due to Covid but I would have loved to do it during normal circumstances! Would definitely recommend this.
Although Warwick is not a city university, the campus vibe has a lot of advantages, especially at an undergraduate level. You are always around familiar faces, and in a student environment. Moreover, Birmingham is only 20 mins away from Leamington spa and London is only one hour away! Perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway!
Student
Verified
1/12/2022
On Campus
Life at Warwick Business School
Pursuing my master's degree at WBS has been a game-changer in my life. With high-quality education, interaction with students from across the world, amazing campus life and much more. I was able to learn about business, finance, project management and strategy all in one course: MSc in Management at WBS. Besides the top-notch education from the best professors, I also enjoyed being a part of fun societies and participating in fun activities such as scavenger hunts and so much more.
The school also organises many company visits and interactions which help students get a head start at finding a job. As my course came to an end, I also have a good full-time job placement in my hands.
Overall, my experience at WBS was a great one.
Asad
Verified
27/06/2022
Blended
Outstanding
The Warwick Business School was like a dream come to life for me. The University ranking speaks for itself, from top-tier facilities to some of the best professors I had to honour to study with I fell in love with my course. Interactions with people from all over the world gave me a newfound confidence in myself.
Career prospects after graduating are endless due to the contacts of the universities and the success rate for previous students, it does open a lot of doors for students in various career fields. The campus life is quite good as well with a lot of student groups and clubs, and extra circular activities to engage students at all times. Loved my experience.
Wenrui
Verified
19/05/2022
On Campus
A good business school
It is a very cutting-edge, career-oriented business school, all courses are very practical, and the college does a very good job of career service. From the hardware and facilities to the staff, the student experience is at the core of the school and student satisfaction is taken very seriously. I understand that many universities in the UK are relatively traditional and can occasionally be rigid in terms of rules and regulations, and although WBS has a relatively short history, this makes it more innovative and dynamic, which is essential for a business school. The downside is that because it is on the outskirts of Coventry, it is a long bus ride to the city centre, not to mention the difference in experience from a big city like London.
Hrithik
Verified
2/09/2020
On Campus
Campus
The people, campus, staff. It’s a very enjoyable environment and it’s particularly good for learning and playing sports. The people there are extremely friendly and welcoming and it’s very easy to make friends
Student
Verified
3/08/2020
What I Like About Warwick
I’ve personally liked my experience at Warwick so far because of the amazing people I’ve gotten to meet and how many opportunities we students are provided with to learn and grow.
Within Warwick, I’m part of the Business School, a learning haven comprised of well-structured modules and extremely helpful people
All in all, a great place to be :)
Student
Verified
27/07/2020
Campus Life
One thing that stood out for me was the campus life, you felt like part of a community. The social aspects of the student union and on-campus accommodation meant you can easily get together and enjoy with friends. Additionally, I felt the course provided a variety of subjects allowing me to enhance my knowledge, from Marketing to Law and Finance. Overall I would most definitely recommend this university to friends and family.
Student
Verified
6/07/2020
Excellence self catered
The campus is very welcoming and Modern. There are many opportunities at Warwick but it is up to the student how do they want to make the most out of it and the staff at the school will definitely helo as much as possible. The location and the ranking have been amazing.
Bakytzhan
Verified
4/07/2020
Warwick business school
Warwick business school is one of the best universities around the globe with a solid base of economic and business studies. Moreover, students get a chance to study in a diverse and warm environment with professional stuff which tries to provide the best opportunities for career development. One of the memorable features of the university are great events which sometimes take a place in one of the landmarks of the London city, the Shard building.
Student
Verified
12/08/2023
On Campus
BSc Management with Marketing
I loved Warwick business school.
The staff is supportive, my academic tutor was key in my development throughout the 3 years and you have to meet with her/him every term. Most professors are helpful and would happily offer support if needed. You also have office hours and can contact professors by email and through the forum.
In general, WBS instills in you the willingness to learn and the resilience needed for you for whatever career you choose.
Very international community which broadens your horizon and makes you more open minded and self aware. You will most certainly make friends and memories for life. I recommend that you get outside of your comfort zone and try new activities with your friends!
WBS also has a great reputation and offers careers opportunities, and careers support throughout the degree.
There is the opportunity to do a year abroad to further develop on a personal level. I wasn’t able to do this due to Covid but I would have loved to do it during normal circumstances! Would definitely recommend this.
Although Warwick is not a city university, the campus vibe has a lot of advantages, especially at an undergraduate level. You are always around familiar faces, and in a student environment. Moreover, Birmingham is only 20 mins away from Leamington spa and London is only one hour away! Perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway!
Student
Verified
1/12/2022
On Campus
Life at Warwick Business School
Pursuing my master's degree at WBS has been a game-changer in my life. With high-quality education, interaction with students from across the world, amazing campus life and much more. I was able to learn about business, finance, project management and strategy all in one course: MSc in Management at WBS. Besides the top-notch education from the best professors, I also enjoyed being a part of fun societies and participating in fun activities such as scavenger hunts and so much more.
The school also organises many company visits and interactions which help students get a head start at finding a job. As my course came to an end, I also have a good full-time job placement in my hands.
Overall, my experience at WBS was a great one.
Asad
Verified
27/06/2022
Blended
Outstanding
The Warwick Business School was like a dream come to life for me. The University ranking speaks for itself, from top-tier facilities to some of the best professors I had to honour to study with I fell in love with my course. Interactions with people from all over the world gave me a newfound confidence in myself.
Career prospects after graduating are endless due to the contacts of the universities and the success rate for previous students, it does open a lot of doors for students in various career fields. The campus life is quite good as well with a lot of student groups and clubs, and extra circular activities to engage students at all times. Loved my experience.
Wenrui
Verified
19/05/2022
On Campus
A good business school
It is a very cutting-edge, career-oriented business school, all courses are very practical, and the college does a very good job of career service. From the hardware and facilities to the staff, the student experience is at the core of the school and student satisfaction is taken very seriously. I understand that many universities in the UK are relatively traditional and can occasionally be rigid in terms of rules and regulations, and although WBS has a relatively short history, this makes it more innovative and dynamic, which is essential for a business school. The downside is that because it is on the outskirts of Coventry, it is a long bus ride to the city centre, not to mention the difference in experience from a big city like London.
Hrithik
Verified
2/09/2020
On Campus
Campus
The people, campus, staff. It’s a very enjoyable environment and it’s particularly good for learning and playing sports. The people there are extremely friendly and welcoming and it’s very easy to make friends
Student
Verified
3/08/2020
What I Like About Warwick
I’ve personally liked my experience at Warwick so far because of the amazing people I’ve gotten to meet and how many opportunities we students are provided with to learn and grow.
Within Warwick, I’m part of the Business School, a learning haven comprised of well-structured modules and extremely helpful people
All in all, a great place to be :)
Student
Verified
27/07/2020
Campus Life
One thing that stood out for me was the campus life, you felt like part of a community. The social aspects of the student union and on-campus accommodation meant you can easily get together and enjoy with friends. Additionally, I felt the course provided a variety of subjects allowing me to enhance my knowledge, from Marketing to Law and Finance. Overall I would most definitely recommend this university to friends and family.
Student
Verified
6/07/2020
Excellence self catered
The campus is very welcoming and Modern. There are many opportunities at Warwick but it is up to the student how do they want to make the most out of it and the staff at the school will definitely helo as much as possible. The location and the ranking have been amazing.
Bakytzhan
Verified
4/07/2020
Warwick business school
Warwick business school is one of the best universities around the globe with a solid base of economic and business studies. Moreover, students get a chance to study in a diverse and warm environment with professional stuff which tries to provide the best opportunities for career development. One of the memorable features of the university are great events which sometimes take a place in one of the landmarks of the London city, the Shard building.
