Paul Michael Cliff

Why did you choose an MBA at The University of Surrey?

I was looking to develop alternate executive development options in policing and decided the best way to test it would be to try it for myself! As a Surrey alumnus it was an obvious choice to consider, but I was really attracted by the ‘connected’ element of the programme. We have a formal academic partnership with the university so I had seen first-hand how Surrey Business School links its research to the real world! 
 

Did you find you could implement what you learnt in class on the weekends at work?

The course content has been incredibly useful. The organisational behaviour module was really useful for a project I was managing on our employee opinion survey. It gave me a number of different options to consider and really blended the academic theory with practical application. This has been true of the whole programme, with about a half dozen pieces of immediately applicable learning every weekend. 

What is the most useful skill you have learned during your time on the Surrey MBA programme so far?

I have been able to dramatically enhance my analytical ability with the range of business concepts and models that are not just taught - you really get the opportunity to practise using them!

What new opportunities have you gained being at Surrey?

The range of corporate professional development and networking opportunities has been truly mind blowing. The breadth and diversity of experience on both Executive MBA cohorts has been really surprising and the range of seminars and workshops available at the University is absolutely fantastic. There really is something for everyone.