Why do engineers take an MBA at Vlerick?

There are many reasons why engineers choose to take an MBA at Vlerick. Here are the top five…

Why do engineers take an MBA at Vlerick?

Every year, we’re delighted to welcome engineers and technical specialists to our Executive MBA, European Executive MBA, Online Executive MBA and Full-Time MBA programmes. They join professionals from around the world – and from diverse sectors and disciplines – to gain the hands-on business understanding, skills and experience they need to take the next leap in their career.

There are many reasons why engineers choose to take an MBA at Vlerick. Here are the top five…

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1. To develop a broader business skillset

Deep technical knowledge is of course essential for professionals in technical roles. But when technical experts want to move into decision-making roles, they look to broaden their business knowledge and learn the softer skills they need to inspire stakeholders.

So they come to Vlerick. Our MBA programmes dive deep into every area of business – from finance and strategy through to marketing and HR. They help participants gain a complete overview of how a business operates. And they help them develop high-level skills like leadership, negotiation and communication – opening up many opportunities for career progression.

From a background in engineering to senior leader

“In every aspect, the MBA helps you to be more rounded. You learn areas of business that you would not normally have contact with – and you get to understand how people from other backgrounds and sectors think and work.”
Heddy Bourghida
Group Transport Director, Vandemoortele Online Executive MBA alumnus

2. To gain a global perspective

Like many of our MBA participants, engineers come to Vlerick to gain an international perspective. They join cohorts of professionals from diverse cultures and backgrounds – and share ideas, experiences and best practice. They learn from international faculty members. And they experience global business in action through study trips, company visits and consultancy projects.

Our MBA programmes are designed to give engineers the global perspective they need to work across borders, thrive in international teams and embrace career opportunities in new countries – and for international organisations.

From a background in engineering to corporate leadership

“The company I work in now is very multicultural – so my experience of working with diverse cultures on my MBA has been invaluable. At Vlerick I learned to negotiate, lead and work in diverse teams, made up of people with different perspectives and approaches.”
Varun Agarwal
Agile Coach and Team Leader, Atlas Copco Full-Time MBA alumnus

3. To learn the language of business

Engineers are highly fluent in the language of their specialist subject. But to progress to senior decision-making roles, they need to learn how to communicate with – and persuade – non-specialists.

An MBA helps them to translate initiatives into terms that are broadly understood by the rest of the business. And they soon discover that an engineer who can communicate in terms of balance sheets and higher-level strategy is unstoppable.

From a background in engineering to project leadership

“I knew that I wanted to pair my technical skills with a more holistic understanding of business. I wanted to become a great leader with a view over finances, legal, marketing, and commercial. Someone who could understand broad business implications – and communicate them easily.”
Carlos Ramirez
Senior Project Manager, Garnier & Garnier Desarrollos Inmobiliarios Full-Time MBA alumnus

4. To become a more strategic player

A technical expert who remains strictly within the confines of their specialist area may find themselves limited to tactical implementation of projects. Which means engineers who are ambitious and want to become more involved in strategic work, need to be able to see the bigger picture.

At Vlerick, we push our MBA participants to consider the wider impact business decisions could have. We take them outside of their comfort zone – with hands-on projects and challenges that test their skills and thinking. And we develop their ability to think and act strategically – which opens doors to broader opportunities.

From a background in engineering to senior corporate leader

“I already had technical strength as an engineer. What Vlerick gave me was the complementary skills to become a complete leader. I could see further, I could consider more and I could think more strategically because of my Executive MBA. It allows you to have quicker understanding and conversations – an MBA speeds things up.”
Gust Desmedt
Head of Corporate Strategy and M&A, Brenntag Executive MBA alumnus

5. To change direction

For an engineer considering a career change, an MBA at Vlerick is a great place to start. We give participants insight into all areas of business – plus personal support and coaching. All of this gives engineers and technical specialists a safe space to explore where their passions lie – and develop the skills to pursue them. Their MBA at Vlerick gives them an inside view of different industries and disciplines. They visit companies, hear from guest speakers – and spend quality time with peers from different backgrounds.

Anyone who joins an MBA at Vlerick can be sure that they’ll leave with the mindset, wide network and confidence to take their next leap – whether that’s into a new role, new sector or a completely new industry.

From a background in engineering to entrepreneurship

“Without Vlerick, I would never have taken the leap to form my own company. When I started the MBA, I wanted to apply for senior roles in established organisations. But now I’ve founded a company that’s alive and kicking. It’s not the story I would have written at the start. But it’s been a super exciting journey and I have no regrets at all. Vlerick gave me the resources and courage to do it.”
Ward Servaes
Co-Founder and Director, moveUp – digital therapies Executive MBA alumnus
“One of the greatest opportunities I had at Vlerick was to learn about myself. The one-to-one coaching sessions were transformative for me. They gave me the tools to think about what I really wanted, who I am and what would fulfil me. They helped me to make a huge change in my life.”
Pierre-Antoine Couvreur
Co-Founder, Beelgium and BEEHUB Full-Time MBA alumnus

Are you an engineer who’s ready to take your next leap?

We’d love to talk to you about your ambitions – and how Vlerick could help you to achieve them. Book a call with us to find out more.


Get in touch!

Inge Thienpont

Inge Thienpont

Customer Relationship Manager – European, Executive and Online MBA