From engineer to strategist: Ovie Okon-Ojigbo’s MBA journey
Transitioning careers can be a daunting task, but it worked for Ovie Okon-Ojigbo.
Ovie studied a Full-time MBA at AMBS, which holds the key to achieving a 'triple jump' - switching industry, function, and location. He shares how he achieved this, going from engineering in the energy sector to financial services.
Student profile
Name: Ovie Okon-Ojigbo
Nationality: Nigeria
Job title: Strategic Planning Manager
Making the triple jump
Ovie's goal from the start was clear, he wanted to pivot into a new industry, take on a different role, and relocate.
Through working with our Postgraduate Careers team and taking networking opportunities, he identified key areas of interest, built industry connections, and gradually expanded his network.
This structured approach helped him secure a crucial internship, which ended up being a stepping stone to his current role.
Reflecting on his journey, Ovie shares, "it was a great achievement to see all my efforts in learning about organisations, networking, and identifying areas where I could add value pay off. That was the biggest sense of accomplishment for me, knowing that my value was recognised."
Career support: a game changer
The Postgraduate Careers Service (PCS) played a vital role in shaping Ovie's job search strategy. From CV enhancement and interview coaching to tailored industry insights, the PCS team provided hands-on guidance throughout the process.
Ovie also found immense value in the MBA network. The programme's strong alumni and peer network opened doors to new opportunities, helping him navigate the transition with confidence.
PCS helped me refine my CV, create a target list of industries and companies, and supported me through every stage, from cover letters, coffee chats, interview prep, and even negotiating my final contract.
Building a stronger professional story
The MBA's consultancy projects and coursework were instrumental in preparing Ovie for interviews. His diverse experiences, which included feasibility studies for electric vehicles, licensing strategies for healthcare products, and sales improvement plans for well-being services, provided a compelling narrative during job interviews.
"These projects, combined with my classes, especially Mergers and Acquisitions gave me a broad knowledge base to draw from in interviews and real-world applications," he adds.
The internship that made it happen
Ovie secured an internship at American Express, where he currently works full-time. The experience not only gave him exposure to the company's collaborative culture and internal mobility but also allowed him to demonstrate his impact through high-value projects.
"The PCS team helped me land the internship, and during my time there, I was able to deliver results while also aligning with the company culture. That played a key role in securing my full-time role," he reflects.
Stay proactive, seek help when needed, and take full advantage of the MBA’s resources at Alliance Manchester Business School.
Advice for future MBA students
For those looking to secure an internship and break into new industries, Ovie offers key insights:
- Identify your interests early and seek guidance from career services
- Build a target list of companies and understand their culture
- Network actively before applications begin to gain industry insights
He also stresses that you leverage the career services for refining cover letters, essays, and CVs.
Chosen electives
During the programme our MBA students have the opportunity to customise their MBA to suit their personal goals and interests through electives, with the opportunity to study across our global centres in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore.
Students on the Manchester MBA can choose specialist electives tailored to their interests, career goals or to explore new fields of interest Approximately 20+ electives are offered on the programme at any one-time.
While at Alliance Manchester Business School, Ovie undertook the following electives:
Platform Ecosystem Strategy
Discover how digital technology reshapes strategy, from traditional approaches to innovative platform ecosystems, preparing you to lead in a world where digital platforms redefine competitive advantage.
Information Systems & Digital Strategies
This elective covers strategic management of multinational corporations, emphasising resources, capabilities, and cultural impacts on competitiveness to tackle real-world international management challenges.
Ask about the Full-time MBA
Our team will give you all the information you need to apply.
Next article