Patryk Koprowski

1. What influenced you to pursue an MBA at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology?

I was able to gather information about MBA studies and determined that these are studies that allow people like me (i.e., those set on the expert path) to communicate more efficiently and understand business requirements so that my actions contribute significantly to the global success of the company. I gained such knowledge about this type of study not only from the Internet, but also from friends who had completed a similar faculty. This led me to make the decision to enroll in an MBA for the IT industry at PJAIT, I believe that this University has a very good offer for its potential candidates.  

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?

I realize that one of the added values of an MBA is the establishment of new professional relationships. Indeed, this is an important element, and I appreciated how many people I had interesting conversations with, during which we were able to exchange our various experiences. Technically very important for me was the approach to the very definition of certain issues. When I say manner, I mean the presentation of certain educational material in the form of a diagram or description, and this is something you don't see too often in the engineering world, and I liked that in these studies.  

3. What areas from the curriculum covered during the MBA program were most relevant and useful to you in your professional life?

It is not easy to illustrate, but certainly the ability to understand the perspective of the other party who receives my work, so actually the key to the success of my professional activities, is not to do art for art's sake, but art for the person who needs it. In addition, I am able to ask myself how an issue can be used in business in a constructive way, which I very rarely did before my studies. Of value to me were the classes with lecturers who presented their areas of knowledge in an extremely interesting way, such instructors are: Katarzyna Olszyńska, Paweł Tkaczyk, Krzysztof Górlicki or Adam Bodnar. These are the names, after learning their way of lecturing, certain important topics broadened my perspective, became more arranged and sub-defined, these are meetings you do not forget!

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?

We formed very good relationships in the group at MBA! I met very interesting, nice and charismatic people who interacted easily. Our interactions were characterized by great openness in communication. I did not observe anyone in our group shying away from presenting their point of view - we were very direct in our communication. I, for my part, did not feel any embarrassment during my studies about speaking my mind, my opinion. I knew that I could present it in the forum and that my colleagues would accept it calmly, so this gave great freedom and made the atmosphere during the classes really comfortable. Contact with the Lecturers was equally satisfactory. The presenters conveyed their knowledge in an interesting way, supported by their professional experience, which was very valuable to us, and they were happy to answer questions.

5. What values, beyond the curriculum itself, were most important to you during the MBA itself?

I don't see values directly flowing out of MBA studies. These values flow out later in various areas of not only professional but private life. Thanks to my MBA studies, I changed my approach to many relationships with people around me i.e. colleagues at work and relationships at home. Another value was understanding what was going on around me - seeing an issue from several perspectives. 

6. What tips could you give to potential MBA candidates?

It is worth the attempt! MBA candidates for the IT industry at PJAIT should be open to absorbing a good dose of theoretical and practical knowledge. This is not a typical degree program, it's more than that, I would really look for a different name here than the term "degree program." Having never been a manager, executive or director, I went to an MBA program and felt very comfortable there. It was interesting for me to observe directors, presidents and vice presidents who, when studying with me, often emphasized that in their professional activities the roadblocks were not processes but people - that is, communication issues, understanding is the expectation from different people to understand them being a good manager.