Ömür Sert

“Passionate about creating positive impact, growth, and uplifting others to make a meaningful difference”

Program: MBA

Hometown: Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Fun Fact About Yourself: When I was younger, I was really eager to join a badminton club. However, life took an unexpected turn, and I ended up trying (Muay Thai) Kickboxing instead. It turned out to be a good fit, and I’ve been passionately practicing it ever since. Together with my wife, we are actually planning to go on a Muay Thai camp in Thailand next year.

Undergraduate School and Major: Undergraduate School Avans University of Applied Sciences in Breda, the Netherlands. Major: Bachelor of Commerce, Business Economics & Marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
Currently: Microsoft, Senior ISV Partner Development Manager.

What were some of the key motivating factors behind pursuing your MBA, and why did this seem like the right time for you?

My father always told me, “You can achieve anything you want in life, if you just put in the work.” This has made growth and learning central to my life. Pursuing an MBA is driven by my desire to unlock my full potential and become the best version of myself.

Now is the perfect time in my career to pursue an MBA. I am currently pushing the boundaries of my role, aiming to expand my leadership, management, and strategic skills in preparation for the next step. The MBA is rapidly accelerating my business acumen, skills, and knowledge.

Besides, I am getting the business perspectives of other people working in several industries from all over the world. The insights, skills, and inspiration I gain allow me to make an immediate, positive impact on the business and achieve my objectives and personal ambitions.

When you think of your school, what is the first word that comes to mind and why?

The first word that comes to mind is Growth.

School is the perfect place to learn something new every day or week. By continuously gaining new knowledge, you become better than you were yesterday, steadily progressing toward the best version of yourself.

What are one or two key aspects of this MBA program that stood out among the others, and why were they so important to you?

Modern and flexible. Having worked for more than 10 years in the tech industry, I love the fact that Quantic has chosen a technology-driven approach. Quantic is disrupting the MBA market, and research has shown that they teach faster and more effectively than traditional lecture-based instruction. Its modern, tech-centric format allows for learning at your own pace without the need to travel or spend time in a traditional classroom. I love it!

What course were you/are you most interested in taking coming into the program and why?

The courses I was most interested in taking were Strategy and Strategic Leadership. To build a strong foundation in these areas and apply this knowledge directly to positively influence our business. Additionally, I want to develop the skills needed to identify business opportunities, recommend effective courses of action, and address both current and future strategic challenges. Ultimately, my goal is to use these newly acquired leadership skills and insights to drive better business outcomes and contribute meaningfully to our organization’s success.

What club, activity, or experience at the school have you most enjoyed so far, and why?

I really enjoyed the group projects so far. It’s a great opportunity to connect and learn from other people from different countries and industries, and really learn from their diverse perspectives.

What do you consider the biggest accomplishment in your career so far?

Next to my daily job, I am also a mentor and Ambassador at the Global Mentor Initiative. The Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI) is a non-profit organization that connects young professionals in underdeveloped countries with experienced mentors worldwide, who guide them through a structured program.

As a mentor for the Global Mentor Initiative, I had the privilege of helping students for example from Jamaica, Lebanon, and Ghana. During the program, I witnessed the growth of the mentees both professionally and personally and its really inspiring!

This experience showed the power of mentorship. As an Ambassador, I organized initiatives and activities to raise awareness, and successfully recruited many mentors. I consider this one of my most significant impacts, knowing that others are also mentoring students in underserved countries so they can achieve more. This experience has shown me that by dedicating just a little time from your agenda ,you can make big impact/difference in someone else’s life.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to other prospective MBAs? Why?

The book that has had the biggest impact on my life is still The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. It provides a guide to get more success over your life and career. I also recommend watching the documentary Arnold on Netflix. His achievements and succes in three different careers , makes him a true example that you can achieve anything in life if you set your mind to it.=

What are two things you have learned at your school that have surprised you so far – one academic and one non-academic?

Academic: One of the most surprising and enlightening aspects of my MBA at Quantic has been the extensive theory of positive leadership. I was amazed by how comprehensive this theory is and the substantial evidence supporting the benefits of human-centered leadership for organizational success. It confirmed my understanding of effective leadership and its impact on both employee well-being and organizational performance.

Non-Academic: On a non-academic level, I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the MBA students . Quantic brings together students from all over the world, representing various ages and stages in their careers. This diversity has shown me that learning is a lifelong journey, no matter where you are in life and your career.

What advice would you give to help prospective MBA gain admission into the MBA program?

First be proactive. Be Proactive doesn’t just mean taking more initiative; it means recognizing that, as human beings, we are responsible for our own lives and careers. This involves focusing your energy and actions on the things you can control, which includes your Circle of Influence. Additionally, always begin with the end in mind. This means starting with a clear understanding of your destination. Knowing where you want to go helps you better understand your current position and ensures that the steps you take are always in the right direction. These principles form the foundation of the first two habits from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. If you have the time, I highly recommend reading the entire book.