Jakob Lindner

Imperial College Business School

“Ex-military tech-savvy problem solver who is mission-driven and open to new ideas.”

Age: 37

Hometown: Lüneburg, Germany

Fun fact about yourself: I did a 12 hour run on 1km course, the start was at midnight.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Economics Bachelor at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany

Where are you currently working? I’m working as a freelance consultant. However, I initially began my MBA while working as a Programme Manager at the AI unicorn ‘Helsing’ and I’m currently transitioning to full-time consulting at a large consulting firm (offer received).

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I am most proud of is my role in founding and scaling the German Armed Forces Cyber Innovation Hub. As the right-hand man to the CEO, I navigated the complex government environment to establish this first-of-its-kind innovation unit in Germany and grow it from an initial team of four to thirty members. This initiative not only demonstrated my leadership skills and strategic thinking in a challenging bureaucratic landscape, but also significantly advanced the digital transformation within the military.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose to study the Global Online MBA at Imperial College Business School because it offers an optimal combination of strategic subjects and technology. The programme’s strong focus on technology-centric business strategies, coupled with a comprehensive curriculum covering entrepreneurship and international business, fits perfectly with my professional goals.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favourite part of being in an online MBA programme has been engaging with the diverse cohort, which consisted of professionals from various industries and backgrounds. The vibrant discussions during group projects have enriched the learning experience, as we have each brought unique perspectives and insights to the table.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? The most surprising aspect of the online learning environment has been how close you become to classmates, despite working together online for 80% of the time. Through consistent virtual meetings, group projects, and discussions, I have been able to form meaningful connections and make lasting friendships.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The programme at Imperial has been mixture of online and face-to-face courses. The onsite courses are more intensive than my undergraduate courses, and the overall experience has been much more interactive.

Compared to my undergraduate programme, the assignments and case studies were directly applicable to real-world business problems, which made the learning process more relevant and engaging. I have particularly appreciated the project-based assignments, which has given me valuable insights and practical skills for my career.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Be disciplined and manage your time effectively. Balancing an online MBA programme with work and personal commitments can be a challenge, but a structured schedule and clear goals can help you stay on track. Take advantage of your group’s diverse backgrounds by actively participating in group discussions and collaborations. In short, network, network, network – but get the job done.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? My online MBA studies have significantly improved my skills as a freelance consultant and as a former Programme Manager at Helsing, particularly in strategic areas. In addition to fundamental elements such as corporate finance and accounting, the deep understanding of business analytics and international business has been beneficial. In today’s data-driven environment, the ability to handle data directly is essential, and the insights gained from studying international business have been invaluable for developing effective go-to-market strategies.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? During my online MBA programme, I switched to freelance consulting work, which allowed me to add value to various projects in a very flexible way. This experience also positioned me well for a full-time position with a large consulting firm, with several offers for consulting positions lined up after my MBA. I consider this a significant promotion as it reflects my readiness to enter strategic consulting at a higher level and use the learnings from my MBA to drive impactful change.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? I opted for an online MBA programme to advance my career and accommodate my work schedule. The flexibility allowed me to manage my role as a programme manager at an AI startup and later transition into freelance consulting. The format of the programme also allowed me to directly apply what I learned in class to real-world projects, which improved my professional skills and brought immediate benefits to my work

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 20-30 hours per week

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My goal is to become a partner in a consulting firm where I can use my expertise to drive transformative change and make a significant contribution across multiple industries. Alternatively, a senior position in a dynamic organisation would give me the opportunity to maximise the value of my skills by developing strategies, streamlining operations, and contributing to sustainable growth.

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