INTERVIEWER: Tell us a little about yourself.
EMILY KAY: I am a part of the Professional MBA program which means I work full time and then I am in school in the evenings. I am in my second year of the program, so I will graduate at the end of the summer. Before joining my MBA and working at Huntsman Cancer Institute, I earned another Masters in International Affairs. So when I saw the course listing it seemed to bridge my interest in International Affairs and the current MBA program I am enrolled in.
INTERVIEWER: What made you decide to register for the ENTP5800/6800 course that travels to Ghana?
EK: I am also working on a certificate in sustainability – this course is focused on sustainable business practices. I am hoping to apply the course to the certificate program. The social impact aspect of the course and a way to weave more into my business degree was enticing to me. I liked the idea we got to travel. The opportunity to go somewhere I have never been and earn credit for it seemed like a chance I did not want to forgo.
INTERVIEWER: Tell us a little about the prep work you did before heading to Ghana for the business consultation portion.
EK: We read a couple of books as well as helpful articles on business consultation and a much longer book on how to go in as a consultant and have an impact. What your role should be and how to capitalize on those experiences.
We read Prosperity Paradox which had an interesting lens on how to approach entrepreneurship and business in global developing countries and how business plays a role to move them into the global economy and bringing greater development. For me, these were interesting materials to shape what the experience on the ground may be like. This is what a consultant can be, this is how you do it, and then getting to do it on the ground was amazing.
Having an International Affairs background and getting to look at it from a business background was very interesting to me.
The materials helped with the motivation behind why we were doing this and why did we think our perspectives could be helpful.
On the ground, I worked with Gloria Rego Investments – a western good grocery store and drinking water packaging plant – complex business and decided to focus on the water packaging plant portion. It was amazing to talk to everyone on the ground and learn about their experiences and what were the challenges, looking at local competitors, and the local context. I left knowing more about water packaging and processing in Ghana.
These experiences are organic and mold into what you want the course to be. If you looking at a case study versus getting to shape the experience or transform it. It gives you control over your experience.
INTERVIEWER: Tell me more about the company you got to work with.
EK: Gloria Rego Investments, which is owned by Gloria Rego who lives in the UK and is from Ghana. She supports the community by starting this store, she sends the inventory, and when they don’t meet quotas she makes sure no one is let go. She will send investments. At first, we were excited about the western goods portion, but uniquely they have this water packaging plant that could help with name recognition and drive customers there. How could we make this a whole name brand incorporated? Located in Kpong, close to Ensign Global College. After talking to people in the community and at Ensign Global, no one had ever heard of them. They just needed more name recognition and signage.
INTERVIEWER: What was the most rewarding portion of the course and travel?
EK: For me, there were two things I will take away in the long term. First, having the opportunity to get to know my classmates better. I made a lot of close friends from the experience. Getting to talk to people on campus and at Gloria Rego. We formed a lot of close relationships that were super valuable during this time. Having the experience to spend a week trying to hone relationships with different people was amazing.
And the opportunity to go to Ghana. It was a place that was not necessarily on my list, and I had never traveled to Africa before. I went somewhere new and engaging with it on an intimate level was amazing. For me, it was a huge benefit of how hands-on the class was and brought everything we learned into perspective.
INTERVIEWER: Why do you think other students should take part in this course or other courses that have student experiences in West Africa?
EK: I am a big proponent of travel. It helps you understand what the world looks like, what your home country looks like, and how you fit in from a global perspective. I don’t know if everyone necessarily prioritizes it, but it makes such a difference.
We employed lots of what I had learned in MBA program in the consulting experience. We focused on their marketing plan which was an actual use of my marketing course. We had just finished competitive strategy, so we talked a lot about the competitive edge and unique opportunity for this business. A fruition of all the things I had been learning in a week-long experience.
It was also a glimpse as to what life as a consultant might look like. Real-life experience is super valuable.
This is an opportunity to meet classmates in a unique way and form ties with people you would not normally come in contact with. We had people from PMBA, MBA, and undergraduate students. Lots of people who have since invited me to work events or chatted about future careers and job searches. They have been able to serve as connections in a professional way.
INTERVIEWER: What was the most fun/exciting highlight of the trip?
EK: I enjoyed so much of the trip. There was not a part of it that I did not like. It was pretty hot, beyond the weather which I could not control. Loved the safari and seeing the African elephants. The eco-resort was amazing. We had worked so hard on our consultation projects, so it was nice to have that break and enjoy where we are.
INTERVIEWER: Final thoughts:
EK: This trip to Ghana was an experience that is unique and to a place that people do not normally go to. I encourage students to consider this as an option that has lots to add.