Phoebe Joel

London Business School

“Lover of Mathematics, follower of Jesus with an interest in everything energy and human capital development.”

Hometown: Okitipupa, Ondo state, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: If I was not an engineer, I would have been a medical doctor

Undergraduate School and Major: Petroleum Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Petroleum Engineer, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria

What makes London such a great place to earn an MBA degree? Having lived all my life in Nigeria, I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the vibrant diversity of people and culture in London. There is more than enough to occupy me over the next two years. London is the business hub of the UK and extensively Europe. This affords me the opportunity to experiment and explore different job functions and industries. It is truly the land of opportunities.

London Business School is one of the most culturally and professionally diverse MBA programs in the world. How do you see these global perspectives enhancing the value of your business education over the next two years? Being part of a cohort of individuals from over 50 countries, as well as being part of a 6-nationality study group, means I will be graduating from London Business School with multifaceted global insights that will set me up for success. The opportunity to be a part of this diverse, international cohort increases my adaptability across markets and also enhances my international employability.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of London Business School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Program flexibility. The fluidity to customize my MBA program to enjoy all that it has to offer while exploring options before I finalize my next steps sealed my choice. The MBA curriculum allows me to focus on my core courses in the first year and join an exchange program in the US for a term in my second year, thereby experiencing the best of both worlds. There is also the great opportunity to take on different part-time internships during term time, exploring different functions and industries along with my summer internship.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at London Business School? The Energy and Environment Club. I am eagerly anticipating being a part of a diverse community focused on everything related to energy, sustainability and environment. I am looking forward to summits, treks, and events expanding my world beyond African oil and gas. This is going to be a home and comfort zone away from home, in the midst of every other thing business. I’m also keen to get involved with the events which are laid on for scholars. I’m a recipient of the Laidlaw Women’s Leadership Fund and it will be great to get to know my fellow scholars.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Hard to pick a specific highlight, but my favourite so far has been excelling in a new, fast-paced, and challenging workplace amid the COVID-19 lockdown and achieving outstanding recognition. I had to deliver models and forecasts vital to meeting the company’s production target vis-à-vis the country’s Oil and Gas demand, teaching myself how to use various technical software along the way. I learned the art of creating and building lasting and helpful connections, offering support and empathy in a trying time.

What do you hope to do after graduation? Corporate Strategy role in the energy industry.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into London Business School’s MBA program? This is your life story, own it and tell it well. London Business School wants you because you have all that uniqueness that is you. You just need to let them see that through your application. Do not be afraid to ask yourself the tough ‘Why’ questions. The answers would help you to know more about your uniqueness and how you would fit into your diverse cohort.

DON’T MISS: MEET LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2025