Enquire to study in the UK 
After studying abroad during her undergraduate years, Lillian Claire Appling (Claire, as she prefers to be known) always knew she wanted to do it again. The ideal opportunity arose when she discovered the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNC Wilmington). “I always loved working transportation and jobs that took me around to different manufacturing facilities, so ideally, the programme would have a component that allowed me to further study supply chain principles,” says Claire. “After continuing to look through programmes, I stumbled across the International MBA programme at UNCW and every aspect — opportunity to focus on International Logistics and Supply Chain Management, study abroad, no GMAT, price, being able to remain in my home state — made it too good to be true.”
The programme is delivered by the Cameron School of Business (CSB). Established in 1979, the business school has prepared leaders for the dynamic nature of business for over 40 years. The IMBA is part of the International Business School Alliance (IBSA) Dual Degree Master’s Programme. Backed by a reputation of excellence, it leverages the importance of flexible structures and hones in on the benefit of diverse opportunities.
Lillian Claire Appling specialised in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management while pursuing her IMBA. Source: University of North Carolina Wilmington
What sets this MBA programme apart is that students graduate with two degrees from two universities in two countries. The best part? Everything can be completed in no more than 18 months. Claire, who specialised in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management during the IMBA programme, spent a semester at Hochschule Bremen, City University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
Here, she got the chance to do something new outside the classroom. “Not directly related to my studies, but I did work at a football pub near the Weser stadium in Bremen while I studied there,” she shares. “This opportunity taught me conflict resolution in a German context with subpar German language skills but, most importantly, helped me afford to live in Bremen while finishing my studies without taking out more loans.”
Kody Dodson graduated with a Master of Science Global Business and IMBA. Source: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Kody Dodson, another IMBA graduate, reaped just as much cross-cultural experience. “I was able to travel to Sweden where I was able to visit different organisations and understand different aspects of the business and culture,” she says. “This programme really helps you to understand your field, how to tailor how you are communicating to different audiences and understanding cultural differences are important in the workplace.”
Classes are taught by experts in their field, who ensure students build a solid foundation in marketing, finance, and strategy, as well as gain in-depth knowledge on their chosen specialisation. “International Leadership taught me negotiation strategies that I literally use every day in my job now,” Claire shares. “We role-play negotiation settings and it is probably the most useful aspect of any course I have ever taken in terms of breadth and depth of application. I also taught my family the skills I learned and now they use things like ‘BATNA’ in their lives.”
Peter Jakubo specialised in Finance and Investments while pursuing his IMBA. Source: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Peter Jakubo, an IMBA Finance and Investments graduate from Slovakia, agrees. He particularly enjoyed his classes about real estate, where there were “lots of interceptions with our day-to-day life and great set of skills to use when purchasing our private real estate.” “[During] guest lectures and Business Week, [we] got to know senior representatives of multinational companies.”
These practical learning experiences will serve them well as they leave UNCW. An average of 94% of CBS graduates gain placements within six months of graduation, including graduate school enrollment. Claire landed a job as a business analyst at Castle Branch in Wilmington. Later, she would work as a Product Manager at e2open, a supply chain software company in Texas.
The IMBA graduate credits her success to her master’s specialisation. “Having these degrees focused on International Logistics and Supply Chain was my differentiator and ultimately what helped me get across the finish line and land this job that I’ve now been at for over two years. I use principles from most of my classes daily in this position,” she shares.
Graduates also benefit from a large and growing alumni network. It is not only a chance to reconnect with old friends but also a great way to gain access to thriving graduates with years of experience in a range of sectors — an initiative Jakubo is eager to be a part of. “I would like to keep being an active member of the Alumni Association,” he says.
To find out more about the International MBA Programme, watch this video or join the programme’s LinkedIn group.
Follow the Cameron School of Business on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Vimeo
