Jun Shimoda

“Driven by curiosity for career growth and culinary exploration, with 400 restaurant visits in Japan”

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Fun Fact About Yourself: One fun fact about me is that I’m a passionate fan of Japanese saunas. I love the unique sauna culture there, especially the outdoor rotenburo (open-air baths) and the refreshing plunge into cold water afterward—it’s my ultimate way to relax and recharge.

Undergraduate School and Major: Chuo University, Law
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Accenture, Manager

What makes Manchester such a great place to earn an MBA degree?

Why Europe and the UK? In my experience working in both American and Japanese companies, I have observed distinct cultural approaches: American companies tend to be highly individualistic and results-oriented, while Japanese corporations emphasize collectivism and hierarchy. I believe that pursuing an MBA in a European environment will enable me to explore new perspectives and values, broadening my global outlook. Additionally, Europe’s diverse cultural landscape offers invaluable exposure to international business practices. The UK, in particular, stands out as a natural choice due to its strong academic reputation and the opportunity to strengthen my English-speaking skills in a professional setting.

Why Manchester? After evaluating several MBA programs in Europe, Manchester emerged as the ideal choice for several compelling reasons. As a self-funded student, the program offers value for money without compromising academic quality or career opportunities. Additionally, the city of Manchester strikes an ideal balance between vibrancy and livability, making it a highly suitable environment for my personal circumstances, particularly as my family would potentially reside there with me.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Alliance Manchester’s MBA curriculum and programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? 

The combination of theoretical aspects and practical approaches is a key factor in my decision-making process. While my primary goal is to develop a broad spectrum of business acumen beyond my current expertise, my past experiences have shown me the value of an output-based approach to learning. I have found that actively applying knowledge to solve real-world issues provides far greater insight than simply studying theoretical frameworks.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most at Alliance Manchester? 

The elective course, designed for students to select based on their career aspirations and personal preferences, has been one of the most captivating lectures I have attended. It brings together both full-time MBA students and part-time global MBA participants to explore Human Resource Management through diverse perspectives. By combining theoretical frameworks with personal experiences, participants engage in insightful discussions and collaborate intensively during the three-day session.

Alliance Manchester is known for its hands-on consultancy projects. Tell us a little bit about a project you worked on? What did you learn that will make you a better professional?

The first project I undertook was the Social Impact Project, where the client provided a comprehensive range of services in health and social care. Unlike my previous experience as a consultant, where colleagues often had substantial expertise in their respective fields, this team lacked prior experience in this domain. Despite this, two critical factors emerged as key drivers of the project’s success, offering valuable lessons for me.

First, the ability to define critical business questions and hypotheses, coupled with an agile testing approach, highlighted the essence of effective consulting. This methodology, reinforced by professors through lecture-based insights and frameworks, reminded me of the core principles consultants should embody.

Second, the diverse composition of our team—students with varied backgrounds, industries, and roles—was pivotal in maximizing our collective potential. Through mutual respect and collaboration, we leveraged each member’s strengths and addressed individual weaknesses, enabling us to achieve optimal results.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

Upon joining the consulting firm, my performance and approach earned high praise from the client, fostering trust and driving their decision to secure our next business offering. The contributions to this project led to my rapid promotion to manager, achieved within just one year.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in Alliance Manchester’s MBA program so far:

In addition to attending a diverse range of lectures and engaging in club activities, participating in the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) and advancing to the final round was an invaluable experience. This accomplishment significantly enhanced my practical understanding of venture capital and remains one of my most notable achievements.