23/12/2022
Are you looking for a master’s program that will give you cutting-edge digital skills as well as practical experience and in-depth insights into today’s fast-paced business world? We spoke to a graduate of the Master in Digital Business & Innovation to get an insider’s view. Find out how this innovative program boosted Maxine’s career and what it could do for you!
The world of business is changing fast—so how do you ensure that you’ve chosen a master’s degree which will prepare you for both the business and technical aspects of your chosen career path? Hear what Maxine Meyers, Master in Digital Business & Innovation alum, has to say about this innovative program and how it’s shaped her professional career.
What is the Master in Digital Business & Innovation?
The Master in Digital Business & Innovation is a career-focused program with a real-world approach. You’ll gain expertise in digital technologies and business models, as well as insight into how to use tech to innovate. Hands-on, practical projects with our corporate partners allow you to experience the world of work in the classroom—and you’ll learn from our expert faculty, who bring both academic excellence and industry know-how to the program.
Why choose the Master in Digital Business & Innovation?
We’re living in a digital era—and those businesses which cannot adapt will fall behind. Employers are increasingly looking for that rare breed: people who are both tech experts and business innovators. As a Master in Digital Business & Innovation graduate, you’ll have this valuable skill set under your belt.
I wanted to make sure that my master’s degree and my academic decisions were in line with my career aspirations, and this program really acted as a bridge between business and technology.
With a bachelor’s degree in business, Maxine had already undertaken internships in consulting, specifically in the area of digital transformation, which she enjoyed. “I wanted to pursue a career in this sector—consulting—but with a twist of technology and with a digital aspect,” she explains. An additional bonus was that the Master in Digital Business & Innovation doesn’t require prior coding experience or in-depth tech knowledge: all the vital tech skills are covered in the program.
Another important factor for Maxine was the realization that businesses now are embracing the digital shift not just for efficiency reasons such as process and supply chain optimization, but also from a broader social perspective. Digitization plays an important part in sustainability: ”With data, you can save so much waste,” Maxine points out. At IE University, sustainability is one of our core values, which is why we offer the optional IE Certificate on Foundations of Sustainability as part of the Master in Digital Business & Innovation.
What’s it like to study the Master in Digital Business & Innovation at IE University?
What makes the Master in Digital Business & Innovation unique is the way in which it bridges the gap between technology and business, reflecting how the two now merge in almost every industry. Maxine was particularly impressed by the seamless integration of both topics in all her classes.
The program also places a strong emphasis on practical tasks, which Maxine found helpful both in terms of content and in developing valuable skills. Projects involving case studies and presentations provide a setting that Maxine describes as “very close to the real world.” She cites the Business Models course, in which students work in teams to come up with innovative solutions for a hypothetical client, culminating in the presentation of a ten-minute pitch, as being particularly useful.
It completely changed my perception of business. I just can’t not include the digital aspect in my business logic and my way of thinking.
The Master in Digital Business & Innovation includes a capstone project, which Maxine describes as “inspiring.” Her team even contemplated turning their project—a health tech data platform—into a startup! Working in a diverse team also gave Maxine valuable experience in managing communication between people with technical experience and those with business backgrounds.
Maxine encourages other students to make full use of IE University’s expert faculty, who are all experienced industry professionals in addition to their academic credentials. “Their background and the network they can offer is really helpful,” she says.
What can the Master in Digital Business & Innovation do for your career?
As the Master in Digital Business & Innovation is a career-oriented program, it’s no surprise that 100% of alumni are employed within six months of graduation. While Maxine has landed a top job as a strategy consultant with Siemens Advanta Consulting, other graduates are now working for leading companies such as Google, Citibank, Telefónica and more.
There’s a huge demand for people with this background at the moment and I think IE University is managing to prepare students for corporate life really well.
Graduates of the Master in Digital Business & Innovation can expect to take up roles such as tech strategist, business intelligence manager, digital innovation manager or tech consultant. Check out the latest career report to see some of our graduates’ profiles and discover the opportunities this ground-breaking program could open up for you.
