Natalie Krieger

Here at the MaastrichtMBA, we love our alumni and enjoy staying in touch! We recently caught up with class of 2018 alumna Natalie Krieger and reminisced over her experience at MaastrichtMBA and her current life. Read more to see what she is doing with all of that potential!

Fast Facts

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?

I already have a Master degree in Political Science but wanted to expand my knowledge in the field of business development and economic consulting. My last full-time study experience is already a while back, so I really felt it was time to learn something new and to open my mind to new ideas.

Why did you decide to pursue an executive MBA at the MaastrichtMBA?

I liked the good module structure of the MaastrichtMBA – one needs to be on-campus four weeks per year and not every other week as in many other MBA programs. The School of Business and Economics of the Maastricht University has a good reputation and offers exciting, hands-on modules on Entrepreneurship and Business Development that I was really interested in. Last but not least, Maastricht is a beautiful student town with a great campus life and it’s very close to my home town Cologne!

How have you benefitted from your MBA degree?

I was extremely happy to relieve the student spirit and the sense of community during the on-campus weeks. I gained a lot of knowledge in a new field and was also able to look at my previous work experience from a different angle. Of course, it goes without saying that the MBA programme gives you a great chance to expand your professional network and to find new, like-minded friends.

What advice do you have for anyone considering an Executive MBA at MaastrichtMBA?

Think how you can make the most of the programmes modules. Why would you want to learn this particular content? How could this knowledge bring you further in your professional and private life?

What should applicants consider when they decide to do an MBA?

The preparation for modules and the after-module “homework” with assignments and case studies can be time consuming, so make sure that you actually have time to study.

How do employers benefit from employees with an MBA degree?

An MBA degree is perfect for professionals who want to gain more in-depth knowledge on business administration but would also like to learn how to become a better employer, team member, and leader. We did not only learn how to estimate a company’s development and create a new product or business idea, but also received a huge number of tools to improve our conflict solving, team player, and leadership skills.

What stands out from your MaastrichtMBA experience?

I found it very interesting to see that one can forget how to learn: it was not easy for me to again put on a student cap and find discipline to write home assignments or my MBA thesis. Similarly, I had to learn new skills to become a better team player during group assignments. The good part of this experience is that all MBA students are very motivated to make the most of their learning and support each other along the way.

What has been the most enjoyable part of the MaastrichtMBA programme?

I really enjoyed the most components of the MaastrichtMBA programme. To name a few, I loved creating new business ideas during the Entrepreneurship module. Our secluded Leading Strategic Change week in Orshof brought many new insights, and just as many bowls of wonderful soup.

 

At Shanghai School of Management, we had a unique, pre-Covid chance to be able to be a part of student life for a week and to get a glimpse at Chinese business development during the International week module. The sessions with a professional development coach during the Leadership Development Trajectory were always a highlight for me.

 

The most enjoyable experience still was probably the first day of a new module in Maastricht where all students and the team of MaastrichtMBA programme greeted each other again, full of joy and anticipation for an intense but extremely rewarding study week.

Natalie Krieger
Hairway GmbH
Partner / Owner