Konrad Marchlewski
1. What influenced your decision to pursue an MBA at PJAIT?
I learned about the MBA studies at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology from my co-workers who had completed the program and spoke very positively about the educational process at this University. After familiarizing myself with the course subjects and the instructors, I realized that the MBA 4IT studies represent a tremendous value in themselves, namely their unique subject matter – which is a definite distinguishing feature on the market.
In my work, IT tools are gaining importance day by day and often determine competitive advantage. Therefore, I aimed to acquire knowledge and specific tools that would enable me to communicate effectively with my colleagues and also with the market environment – the IT industry.
Currently, especially in the "COVID" period, the biggest challenge facing business is inevitable digitalization, which is why I wanted to acquire the right competencies, get to know specialists, tools, and solution architecture. To combine my business knowledge with what cutting-edge technology offers. Trends shaped by the consumer solutions market are moving into the B2B market. You have to keep your finger on the pulse...
2. How do you recall your time spent on the MBA for IT at PJAIT? What was most important to you during the studies themselves?
It was a wonderful time. A year of great inspiration, exploring new fields, and acquiring specific competencies that I directly applied in my professional activities. A fantastic program in terms of the relationships built – valuable and inspiring conversations with students and lecturers – which became a platform for the exchange of professional information as well as enduring, vibrant, collegial relationships. There were many fruitful and extremely engaging discussions that went beyond the curriculum.
3. Which areas of the curriculum covered during the MBA studies were most important to you and proved most useful in your professional life?
For me, the most significant topics during the MBA studies were those related to broadly understood Security and Project Management. I believe that every manager should go through such a curriculum because the studies comprehensively develop the skills needed to work in such a position. Classes in the area of soft skills were also interesting. Thanks to such classes, my public speeches, which are an inseparable activity at a certain level of professional development, are more conscious and effective.
4. How do you assess the cooperation between MBA students during classes and the contact between students and lecturers? Are the relationships that you managed to build important to you?
The relationships I managed to build during my studies with groupmates and lecturers are very important to me. As students, we formed a lasting and active connection, as we still meet today and discuss various professional topics and more. I had the opportunity to acquire knowledge in a very active group of students. There were often long discussions with lecturers that went beyond the curriculum and time frames. I am still in contact with some of the instructors, which I consider valuable. Currently, I am also developing these relationships in the area of professional cooperation.
The MBA faculty inspired us with their knowledge gained through professional experience. Our cooperation was based on partnership, the relationship of an adult experienced lecturer with an adult experienced student who is aware of why they are attending.
5. How have the MBA studies contributed to the development of your professional career?
Completing an MBA for the IT industry opens up new professional opportunities. Combining specialized, sector-specific knowledge with knowledge about IT tools and architecture provides new inspiration, a broader perspective, and insight into the future and incoming trends. I believe that such a holistic approach holds immense value on the market, in every sector.
Working with the IT sector, I noticed that it often lacks knowledge about how business operates. Frequently, the solutions offered are just the digitalization of already existing processes. On the other hand, this is the result of a lack of knowledge about technological possibilities on the part of "hard" business. Bridging these two worlds, going beyond what digitalization currently means so that digital projects can be a business driver, provide competitive advantage, scalability, reach, and respond to the needs of new, digital generations – that is worth investing in. In this context, MBA studies are an invaluable platform for inspiration.
6. What values, apart from the curriculum itself, were most important to you during the MBA studies?
I undertook the MBA studies to acquire knowledge and raise my qualifications. I found myself among great managers, often outstanding specialists. In the world of IT people, that defines position and authority, not the held title.
It was a situation where I had to admit that this area is still a challenge for me. I realized what a knowledge deficit I have. But at the same time, it is an opportunity, an openness to new career paths.
In the context of values, it is goal awareness, humility, and openness.
7. What advice could you give to prospective candidates for MBA studies?
I recommend familiarizing yourself with the curriculum and the list of lecturers offered in the MBA program for the IT industry. A person who wants to undertake such studies should be prepared for quite a high level of activity in the knowledge acquisition process. The expectations and goals of a potential candidate are also important in this context. Based on my own example, I believe they can also broaden the knowledge of people from outside the IT industry. It is worth emphasizing that during this year and the situation related to the epidemic, digitalization has gained value and proved crucial in the economy. Remote work, telemedicine, changing channels of communication with customers, managing distributed teams... A year ago these topics sounded a bit visionary, then they became reality. MBA studies at PJAIT provide the right vision of what the world of technology looks like and what its impact on the future will be, and most importantly, practical knowledge that can be used immediately.
