I am a chemical engineer working in the bio-pharmaceutical sector. My work involves the development of life-saving medicines for human as well as animal healthcare, and I have had the opportunity to work in India, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Why Harvard Business school online
As a chemical engineer by education with some diverse experience in technology, I always wanted to improve my business and management skills and vocabulary in order to advance my career. I was attracted to Harvard Business School Online because of the virtual, digital content from world-class Harvard Business School faculty, signature case studies, and the opportunity to learn with a diverse group of students. Now, one year later, I have successfully completed two HBS Online Courses: CORe and Management Essentials.
What I learned
Between the two courses I have taken, three concepts have stood out at as being particularly impactful in my career and life.
1. Economic return
In the complexity of today's world, no one gets approval to spend money unless you can demonstrate an economic return. As an engineer without any type of financial background, I lacked this skill prior to taking CORe. My HBS Online experience taught me to master the vocabulary and concepts of business management. Learning about return on investment, break-even, internal rate of return, and discounted cash flows were particularly important in being able to make a business case for my projects to management.
2. The power of social learning
Reflecting on my own work as well as that of my classmates was an essential skill I learned and enjoyed during CORe and Management Essentials. There were approximately 700 students between my two courses (including Harvard MBAs, entrepreneurs, mid-career professionals, and lifelong learners), and each individual had different perspectives toward business management issues. I am happy to still be connected and interacting with them even after finishing the courses.
3. Hypothesis testing and forecasting
Hypothesis testing was a key takeaway from Business Analytics, and it has become my favorite process improvement strategy. Additionally, I learned forecasting using regression analysis, which has enabled me to translate soft benefits into hard numbers. Both of these key skills have improved my work since my HBS Online experience.
Learning business fundamentals in CORe and management through the process lens in Management Essentials has been a transformative experience. I look forward to continuing to use learnings from the courses to effectively manage conflicts, create effective strategies that achieve results, and make better business decisions that will benefit my organization.
Do you want to broaden your business knowledge? Explore our online course catalog and find out how programs like CORe and Management Essentials can help you accelerate your career.