From engineering to business: My MBA journey

My decision to pursue an MBA started during my engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics. As part of my programme, I chose a business and entrepreneurship module, almost out of curiosity. I expected it to be a side subject, but instead I completely fell in love with how businesses are built, how ideas become real ventures and how strategy shapes outcomes.  

That module made me realise that, while I enjoyed the technical side of engineering, my real passion was understanding people, markets and organisations. Choosing an MBA felt like the natural next step – a way to build on my analytical engineering mindset while moving fully into the world of business. 

Why I chose an MBA in London 

Moving to London for my MBA was a deliberate decision to challenge myself in a global, competitive environment. London’s diversity, pace and opportunities make it a perfect place to learn not just from lecturers, but from classmates, professionals and the city itself.  

As an international student, I wanted exposure to different cultures, work styles and business practices, because I know that modern careers rarely stay in one country or one industry. Middlesex appealed to me because of its strong focus on practical learning, support for international students and the chance to work on real projects with real clients. 

Joining a student society

Joining the Enactus Society at Middlesex has been another turning point in my MBA experience. Enactus is all about using entrepreneurial action to create social impact, and that mission spoke directly to the spark that started during my undergraduate course. 

Through Enactus, I’ve had the chance to work with students from different backgrounds on projects that aim to solve real community problems using sustainable, business-based solutions. It has been a great way to develop leadership, teamwork and project management skills in a practical setting. 

Being part of Enactus has also shown me how business can be a force for good, not just generate profit - something that strongly influences how I think about my future career. 

The OrigenX consultancy project 

My consultancy project with OrigenX focused on improving their digital communication with stakeholders, and it was the first time I felt like I was working as a consultant rather than just a student. 

The experience challenged me to balance two different expectations. The client wanted clear and practical recommendations they could implement, while my academic supervisors expected deeper analysis and strong theoretical understanding. At times it felt like I was working on two things at once – creating a professional report for a real business while also completing an academic project for my MBA. Learning how to manage that balance became one of the most valuable parts of the experience. 

I had to take ideas from the classroom, such as digital marketing strategies, stakeholder mapping and change management concepts, and turn them into solutions that would work in a real organisation. At the same time, I needed to think critically about why those recommendations made sense and how they connected to research and best practice. 

I became more comfortable with ambiguity, because neither clients nor communities come with a marking scheme, they come with problems and constraints. Working as a fresher in consultancy terms, I learned how to ask the right questions, manage expectations and accept constructive criticism without taking it personally. 

There were moments when it felt challenging, but working through that process helped me build resilience and confidence, and gave me a much clearer understanding of how theory connects to real business situations. 

Looking ahead in my career 

Looking back, I can see how each step led me here. Discovering entrepreneurship during my engineering degree sparked my interest in business, choosing an MBA helped me explore that passion further, and joining Enactus allowed me to apply it to real social challenges. Working with OrigenX then gave me the chance to experience what consultancy looks like in practice. 

One of the biggest lessons from my MBA has been learning how to balance theory with real-world expectations. At first this felt challenging, but it’s exactly the kind of balance that most careers require. Through my studies, projects and extracurricular activities, I’ve gained practical experience that links academic learning with real impact. 

As I prepare for a future in consultancy and HR-focused roles, I now have the confidence to step into professional environments, work with different stakeholders and tackle complex challenges. Studying an MBA in London hasn’t just given me a qualification – it has helped me grow personally and professionally, and prepared me for the next stage of my career. 

About the author

Raveena Pillay is an MBA student specialising in consultancy, HR and digital business. She originally trained as an Electrical and Electronics Engineer at the National Institute of Technology Trichy in India, where an entrepreneurship module first sparked her passion for business. Since then, Raveena has been interested in combining analytical thinking with people-focused problem-solving, which led her to pursue an MBA in London. She is actively involved with the Enactus society and is using her entrepreneurial action to create social impact.