Harsh Thakur: From Healthcare to an MBA at Warwick

I completed my postgraduate degree in Biophysics at Panjab University before beginning a career in Pharmacovigilance. Over the next seven years, I worked my way from scientist to middle management, eventually becoming an Operations and Project Manager leading a team of around 150 scientists. During that time, I worked with organisations including Johnson & Johnson, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi, while also gaining experience in marketing, business development, auditing and quality control.

Although I had built a successful career, I realised I wanted to move away from execution and into strategic decision-making. I knew that transition wouldn't happen quickly based on my existing qualifications and experience alone, so an MBA became the natural next step to develop the commercial knowledge, leadership skills and strategic mindset I needed.

I always knew I wanted a one-year MBA, which narrowed my options straight away. The UK had always appealed to me, partly because I'd built strong friendships there through work, so it quickly became my preferred destination. Warwick Business School stood out for its excellent international reputation, the entrepreneurial focus of the programme, a highly diverse international cohort, and the professionalism of the admissions team — even during my interview, they offered genuine career advice regardless of whether I chose Warwick, which left a lasting impression.

I received a scholarship towards my tuition fees from Warwick Business School, and funded my accommodation and living expenses myself, with some support from my parents. My advice to future students is to ask universities about scholarship opportunities directly rather than assume the information will be obvious, and to also look into scholarships offered by your home country, such as Commonwealth Scholarships — these can provide significant financial support, but many have short application windows and are highly competitive, so planning ahead matters.

Getting an offer was only the first step. The GMAT, the application itself, and then turning an offer into a confirmed place each brought their own challenges.

The application process can feel stressful, but I actually enjoyed it once I'd got the GMAT out of the way. Writing my application essays became an unexpected opportunity for self-reflection — some questions pushed me to think deeply about experiences and setbacks that had shaped me personally and professionally, and putting that into words helped me understand my own motivations better. I also enjoyed speaking with admissions teams through information interviews, learning more about the schools and the people behind them.

Getting an offer is only one part of the journey. For international students, the visa process, accommodation search and financial planning can feel overwhelming all at once. My biggest piece of advice is to tackle everything one step at a time — dedicate separate days or weeks to each task, whether that's visa documents, accommodation or finances, rather than trying to do it all together. Breaking it into stages makes the whole process far less stressful.

The GMAT was by far the most challenging part of the journey. Coming from a non-traditional business background, it took me more than six months to prepare. The lesson I took from it is that everyone progresses at their own pace — some people prepare in a few months, others need much longer — and the key is understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, building a realistic study plan, and staying consistent. It's absolutely achievable with the right preparation. Returning to full-time study after years in employment was its own challenge too; I initially struggled to concentrate for long periods, but rebuilt those habits gradually with patience.

One of the biggest highlights of the MBA has been the people. The networking opportunities have been incredible, with events throughout the year connecting students with classmates, alumni and industry professionals. Studying alongside an international cohort has been just as valuable — learning from people with different backgrounds, cultures and experiences broadened my perspective in ways I didn't expect. The biggest surprise has been how much an MBA changes you personally: it's far more than another qualification, it's a journey that builds confidence, resilience and real-world leadership skills.

My advice to anyone considering an MBA is to be completely honest with yourself about why you want to do it. It's a significant investment of time, money and energy, so having a clear purpose matters — not least because you'll almost certainly be asked about it in admissions interviews. Once you've decided, don't keep postponing it: career progression, salary increases and material purchases can always wait, but the personal and professional development from an MBA stays with you for life. For international students specifically, it's worth knowing that many countries don't run a traditional campus placement system — the university will support you, but finding the right role depends heavily on your own networking, preparation and initiative.

The journey to an MBA is usually longer than people expect — from preparing for the GMAT to submitting applications, arranging visas and finally starting your first class, the whole process can take over a year, and there will almost certainly be moments where you question whether it's worth it. My advice is to stay focused on the bigger picture. With patience, preparation and perseverance, the experience can transform both your career and your confidence in ways you never imagined.