My EMBA Journey: From the Technical to the Strategic Side of Business
-Abhishek Gautam, EMBA 2024
Over the past decade, my career has been deeply rooted in the railway industry. I started with hands-on engineering work, making sure trains ran smoothly, and maintenance processes were efficient. Leading teams, finding ways to cut costs, and handling high-pressure projects became routine. As I gained experience, I started thinking beyond just the technical side. I wanted to understand how businesses make strategic decisions and how I could contribute beyond engineering. This curiosity and desire to grow led me to pursue an Executive MBA (EMBA) at SP Jain Global School of Global Management, Singapore Campus, in Dec 2022.
Investing in Myself: Why I Chose SP Jain Global’s EMBA
When I arrived in Singapore in 2015, my career focused on gaining international experience and contributing to the railway sector. Over time, I realised that this global business hub provides an ideal personal and professional growth environment. Pursuing a master’s degree was the natural next step in my career. Just when I was ready, SP Jain Global reached out, making my decision to invest in myself through the EMBA program easy. Pursuing an EMBA wasn’t just about earning another degree—it was about gaining practical knowledge, real-world application, and simulation-based studies with an affordability factor that could align with my career goals. SP Jain Global offered a perfect blend, making it the right choice.
Growing Personally, Advancing Professionally
On a personal front, I became more confident in expressing my ideas, articulating thoughts clearly and speaking with conviction. Balancing work, studies, and personal life was challenging, but it taught me discipline, time management, and focus. Professionally, the program expanded my understanding of essential business areas like business development, financial planning, and strategic management. It transformed how I approach challenges, enabling me to think more solution-oriented and long-term—whether making crucial decisions at work or in life.
How It Shaped My Career and Leadership
A few months before starting the EMBA, I was promoted to a leadership role as a Train Maintenance & Engineering Division Manager, responsible for leading a team of over 50 staff. To my benefit, the operations module sharpened my skills and helped me tackle workplace challenges strategically, fulfilling the job requirements. In parallel, the leadership modules transformed my management style, shifting my focus to a people-first approach centred on open communication, team empowerment and empathy.
Learning Beyond Books: The Peer Advantage
Experienced cohorts were professionals from IT, banking, sales, healthcare, insurance, oil & gas, and shipping industries. Hearing their experiences and working with them on various projects challenged my assumptions and helped me think differently. Being physically present in class promoted engaging discussions and spontaneous idea-sharing, which differs greatly from a virtual environment. Group discussions were particularly effective—debating different viewpoints, solving case studies together, and learning from each other’s successes and mistakes added depth to the learning process. These face-to-face interactions made the material more relatable and helped build lasting relationships with my peers, which I truly value.
Balancing Act: Work, Studies, and Life
Balancing a demanding job, intensive coursework, and personal responsibilities was no easy feat. After long workdays and weekends dedicated to classroom sessions, late nights were spent on case studies. It was challenging, but that’s the essence of an EMBA—preparing you to handle more and do better.
Looking back, those long hours and early mornings were worth it. The most rewarding part was applying what I learned in class to my work and seeing immediate, tangible results.
Memorable Moments & Learnings
Specific experiences stand out—the Global Strategy Immersion Project (GSIP) tested our team’s efforts to solve real-world challenges while launching a business in a new market, offering practical insights into business management studies. Finance-related modules gave me a fresh learning experience, and the applied strategic research in rail sustainability enhanced my research methodology skills. From personal effectiveness (first module) to integrative decision-making (last module), every experience left a lasting impression.
The last day at the Singapore campus in June 2024 was emotional and unforgettable. Bidding farewell to classmates, professors, and the familiar surroundings brought a bittersweet mix of emotions. It signified the completion of an intense and rewarding 18-month journey while marking the beginning of lasting connections and friendships.
Final Thoughts
Choosing SP Jain Global’s EMBA was among my best decisions. The journey, though demanding, was filled with growth, challenges, and invaluable connections. If I were to compare the journey to anything, I’d say it’s like participating in an Obstacle Course Race—demanding, full of challenges, and requiring resilience, teamwork, and mental strength. There are moments when you question yourself, but pushing through each hurdle brings a sense of accomplishment that makes the entire experience worthwhile. My advice for anyone considering this path is simple: it’s a challenging journey, but the rewards—both in and out of the classroom—are more than worth it. Looking back, I am grateful for the experience, the people I met, and the lessons that will guide me for years.
