Janine N. Rinninsland

Warwick Business School

“FASHION = PASSION. I believe success is a mix of different approaches. Courage and charm.”

Age: 28

Hometown: Tuebingen, Germany

Fun Fact About Yourself: Hobbledehoy afraid of spiders.

Undergraduate School and Degree: SRH University / B.A. in International Management

Where are you currently working? Mey Group, Creative Buyer

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Leadership responsibility at a young age with two-digit million Euro budget and employee responsibility. With the help of the MBA, I have increased my market value, and have just been headhunted for a specialist position in a newly- created job.

I believe life is full of solutions. You just have to think about your options and sometimes have to get out of your seemingly smooth work environment and beyond your comfort zone. It makes you stronger and sharpens your senses. I am proud of this improvement of my professional career because I love to be creative and like to combine it with my expertise in procurement. A happy life is a component of a family life and your profession trying to give over 1000% every day. Enjoy your life. For me, fashion is my passion. Everyone needs lingerie and day and nightwear. We offer the possibility to create a textile with a focus on sustainability, which is harmless to your skin and the environment. I am proud to be a professional with the know-how in procurement and lingerie.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? Warwick has an amazing reputation – confirmed by the Financial Times ranking it 2019. No.1 in the world for the online MBA program.

I enjoy the flexible online program, which has allowed me to work full-time as a manager and follow my maxim of lifelong learning. The online learning environment is a good place for innovation and academic research and different teaching methods. Beside this, WBS offers a good mix of different modules. For my electives, I decided to attend some international modules (e.g. Business   Sustainability in Vancouver, Canada, and Strategic Advantage in Boston, USA, Service Design Thinking in Helsinki, Finland). These various modules helped me to see projects and tasks from another perspective. I enjoyed the face-to-face learning environment with students from all over the world and a mix of professors from different renowned business schools.

WBS also offers additional programs:

1.) Careers advice – This helped me to focus on the next step in my career. In particular, Sarah, from the careers team, has provided assistance with her great expertise and competence.

2.) Mentoring program – My mentor, Mike, can support me in every professional situation. He is working in the pharmacy industry and has working experience over several years. The view from Mike from the perspective of another industry with a high competence is a great support for me.

3.) Individual coaching online session with 360° Feedback.

4.) Inspiring guest speakers in lessons.

Just to mention some reasons why I specifically chose WBS for my executive education.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part was the mix of online modules and face-to-face programs. Although you have to take approximately up to one week off from work to fly to the UK or globally to a module (depending on your time-consuming projects at work), I really enjoy the flexibility of the MBA program and all the networking experience with a collaborative community who share my goals. I like to get inspired and motivated. WBS also improved my networking skills and pushed my self-confidence to the next level – a good level.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I was surprised at how good networking works, even online. I created a huge international network of contacts over different industries, which also helped me to improve my important soft skills and the awareness of my strengths and weaknesses by reflecting repeatedly. Step out of your comfort zone. Right now.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I did my B.A. degree as a distance learning program. (We just had a view in-class lessons for the modules held on Friday to Saturday). This is why, in most cases, my B.A. and MBA experience is the same. The major difference is, the MBA is more international and we discuss broader views with case studies, which helps fulfill my expectations.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program?

Set your goal.

Believe in yourself.

Have a growth mindset.

Don´t go with less…and never forget to live your private life. This really helps you to be in balance with working, learning, and enjoying time with your closest friends. For me, time management is one of the important things about an online MBA program.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? Definitely the 24h Accounting and Finance Management module examination. This should prepare us for the future by working in different time zones and give us the possibility to start with the exam whenever we want within this 24h. In the end, it was a nightmare exam.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I was promoted to the head of the department with my previous employer, and have recently been headhunted by another international working company. I am improving and upgrading myself to “Janine 4.0”, as I used to say about myself because the MBA has greatly widened my horizons.

If you had to do it all over again, would you? Why? Yes, ja, sí. I would definitely do the MBA program again. Maybe I would change one of my modules because it would fit better to my personal growth and career. I recommend this program to everyone who wants to improve and upgrade their personal mindset, the ability to analyze and question their professional and to some extent their private life as well. Reflection is a powerful tool for managers in the current century where soft skills are becoming more important.

Why? The learning experience and personal development are priceless. The cherry on the cake: an international network and furthermore friendships all over the world.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My maxim and long-term career goal is to improve my personal skills to be adaptable, qualified and flexible in any kind of situation. My recipe for this goal:

Lifelong learning, self-improvement, and happiness in what you do. My wish is to convey the positive side of sustainable production and eco-effective working in a fair and social environment. I do believe in the power of words. What you say and think, you can do. This can change everything. Positive thinking. Think different. Be honest.

#do what you love and love what you do

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