Hayfa Salman
A passionate marketer specialized in healthcare and focused on wellness with love for yoga.
“Know the rules well so you can break them effectively.”
Q&A WITH HAYFA
Define your experience in the part-time MDGM in one word.
Enriching!
In what ways do you think program has changed your life professionally and personally?
Simply put, it disrupted my life even prior to COVID. Let’s call it the positive disruption that gets you out of your comfort zone at all levels. This program was my window of opportunity to step into the digital world and have a 360-degree overview about the near future we are racing forward to.
What was your favorite memory from your experience?
My favorite moments were those deep dives we took through the 16 months into the brains of e-commerce experts and digital marketers. The learning experience was enormous, and I could really expand my knowledge and understanding through learning from businesses’ and individuals’ success stories, failure lessons, and creative thinking.
Why did you choose to study this program at IE?
This IE Master’s program is one of the very few that provides a full curriculum for complete knowledge covering the essentials of Digital marketing and leading the way towards creating disruptive and transformative plans and tools.
What were some of the main challenges that you encountered on your way? How did your master program and IE help you through these challenges?
The full curriculum came at a high price for sure: TIME.
The first intake of this program was overloaded with courses covering all aspects of Marketing and Digital Marketing, leaving little time for other life activities! This left me with a big challenge trying to accommodate my full-time job and a full-time academic commitment. It was a challenge till the last day. Thanks to the program directors and my teachers, they tried their best to encourage and help me keep the strength and focus on the final target.
What is networking like in the part-time MDGM?
I would say networking is key in any master’s program, and this is still work in progress, especially for part-time students and with the social distancing, networking is a big challenge.
How was the experience of doing the master in a format that allows you to continue working while studying?
It is challenging and demanding but satisfying. Just beware this is not a short course that will tip into the surface of the subject and give you a certificate. It is an intense experience, so expect lots of knowledge shared by enthusiastic passionate professors who accept nothing less than full dedication and commitment from your side.
What advice would you give to students who are about to begin the program?
With digital disruption taking over many industries, there’s a huge need for passionate, ethical, and creative marketers, who are ready to learn the rules so they can break them like pros. Don’t be afraid to be the future leaders while embracing and maximizing your present opportunities. You will learn along the way how to balance your work and study life and find your way through the obstacles.