Kamila Pendyk
1. What influenced you to pursue an MBA at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology?
Exploring new areas of professional development, I became fascinated with the broader IT market and new technologies. I began self-education in this area, and then sought modern, interesting and adapted to current market requirements studies or courses. I had a need to expand, to organize my knowledge in this area based on past experience and with an awareness of future professional challenges. I started working as a Project Manager and the activities of this position, only solidified my need to gain comprehensive knowledge of the IT industry. While searching for various educational opportunities, I came across an offer from the Polish-Japanese Academy of Computer Technology and an MBA for the IT industry, then decided that this would be the right place to start a structured education process.
2. How do you recall your time at MBA 4 IT at PJAIT? What was the most significant thing for you during the studies themselves?
It was a very important time for me. I had the opportunity to meet extremely interesting people - students and faculty. New lasting relationships were formed among people with similar opportunities, passions and professional plans for the future. The classes with top-notch lecturers, conducted in an interesting way, adapted to the current challenges of the market, contributed a lot to my competence. From negotiation skills with the absolutely phenomenal Paul Tkaczyk, to hard skills of managing a multi-level budget and making difficult decisions based on the IT industry. All in all - my time as an MBA student at PJAIT was very inspiring for me.
3. What areas from the curriculum covered during your MBA studies were the most relevant and useful to you in your professional life?
The most important area from the training program for me was project management and IT teams. I was keen to truly develop my competence in this direction. In terms of content, the most valuable for me was the knowledge of project management methodologies, as well as comparing methodologies based on multi-level management.
4. How do you assess the cooperation of MBA students during the course and the contact between the student and the lecturer. Are the relationships that have been established important to you?
It was a very different learning experience compared to those of earlier years, because the student-lecturer relationship at the MBA program at PJAIT is largely based on partnership. Each lecturer imparted his or her knowledge in an extremely interesting way - collaborating, interacting, asking questions, taking interest. Students were free to ask questions on the fly. We were a very active and demanding group. The relationship between us was based on absolute cooperation. We met outside of class and discussed together. Through our studies, we formed a close-knit team of really close people, and this is an invaluable value that pays off to this day.
5. How did your MBA study contribute to your career development?
In my case, my studies at PJAIT had a huge impact on my career development. After completing my MBA for the IT industry, I got a job at the Ministry of Digitization as Minister Counselor. The prerequisite for the job at the Ministry of Digitization was a degree in IT field studies, so actually the MBA was a shot in the arm, thanks to it I am working in the job of my dreams.
6. What values, beyond the curriculum itself, were most important to you during the MBA itself?
Above all, interpersonal contacts, that was the real value of these studies, we were able to form a close-knit group that went beyond the educational program in its activities.
7. What tips could you give to potential MBA candidates?
The MBA program at PJAIT has something unique about it - it is firmly rooted in the IT industry. The student has the opportunity to learn about many aspects that relate directly to ready-made tools for work. If someone is planning his or her career with management in the IT industry, MBA studies are an absolute MUST HAVE. A diploma from the Polish-Japanese Academy of Computer Technology is really welcomed by recruiting employers.
