LJUBLJANA MBA Alumni Maria Dolomatova shared insights into why she selected the program and the significant impact it has had on her career trajectory. Currently thriving as a Head of marketing at Skyvia, Maria was a distinguished member of the LJUBLJANA MBA Class of 2023/2024.
What inspired you to pursue an MBA?
I was inspired to pursue MBA by another women. My dear friend Beth Horn, who holds an MBA degree, really inspired me to step onto this path – she took a role of mentor to me and she shared all the details about her studies and helped me define the criteria for the program and what outcomes I can expect from it. Being an amazing mom and a successful career woman, she became a role model for me and I’m forever grateful for her support.
How has earning an MBA transformed your career and personal growth?
The impact is seen across many areas of my professional life, from the job change that I took after the first year of MBA, to the broad understanding of the company ecosystem and business landscape. However, if I must choose one the most significant growth, it’s my growth as a manager. The MBA played an integral role in shaping my managerial competencies and helping me to become more self-aware, mature, structured in my approaches and to view management not as a role of controller, but as a role of a leader.
What key lessons or experiences from your MBA journey do you believe can empower more women to step into leadership roles?
I think that the business acumen and practical skills that you gain during the MBA are the same for everyone. However, studying for an MBA can give something more than that – it gives confidence. Completing module after module, learning highly complex subjects such as economics, finance, accounting, will give a strong feeling of achievement and success and will show you just how capable and brilliant you are.
And learning from talented and ambitious women with whom you’re going to share this journey, is another great experience on its own.
Can you share a moment during your MBA journey that was particularly transformative or empowering for you as a woman in business?
Ha! I can name three. I will never forget the thrill, the fear and the excitement of the first module which was the managerial course.
We spent all our days at the faculty, alternating between in-class work where we had to climb Everest, and challenging after class group projects. After the module was over, I was thinking “Can I do 2 years of that?”.
And the second moment was when I passed the managerial economics exam and my first thought was “Are you kidding? If I did that, I can do anything”.
The third moment was during the leadership course in Kranjska Gora. I remember sitting in the classroom and learning how true leadership is about humanity, ethics, kindness, and I thought “This is the kind of leader I want to become”. This is a goal which is truly worth working towards.
What advice would you give to other women considering this path?
I won’t say “You can do that”, because of course you can, and you know that.
I will say “Please, do that” instead.
Because on top of giving you professional growth and opportunities for career development, the MBA will give you an environment where you can meet skilled specialists from all kinds of fields who will become not just your network, but also your friends.
Because on top of everything else, the MBA journey will give you space to just be yourself – in the classroom you’re not a mom, you’re not an employee, your worries about work obligations and personal responsibilities are left behind the door, so you can simply be you and enjoy your learning experience.
Don’t let the fear or worries rob you off such an amazing journey.