Hannah Doff-Ottens
Our students are the core of the MaastrichtMBA programme. Students with a broad diversity on nationality, age and even professional background. The insights and thoughts of our MBA students describe the true experience of MaastrichtMBA. This time we talked with our Dutch student Hannah Doff-Ottens. She works as Team Lead Innovation at Ikbenfrits, a company that provides mortgage advice by offering of an online dashboard and personal advice. Hannah joined our On-Campus track in February 2021.
FAST FACTS
- Nationality: Dutch
- Start programme: April 2021
- Entry age: 38 years
- Track: On-Campus – Responsible Leadership & Sustainability
- Company: Ikbenfrits
- Job title: Team Lead Innovation
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE AN MBA?
After working in South Africa and Africa for 8 years, I emigrated back to the Netherlands. When the dust settled, I was ready for a new challenge.
WHICH SKILLS DO YOU WANT TO REFINE DURING THE ON-CAMPUS TRACK?
Being a servant leader, bringing out the best in people by understanding their needs and abilities, and to help people develop and perform.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE FOR THE MAASTRICHTMBA PROGRAMME?
There were a number of reasons why I chose Maastricht over other MBA programmes. I like the approach of small classes and team assignments, learning about the theory and putting it into practice. Next to that, I am very excited that Design Thinking has been integrated into the modules. I have been practicing it for 20 years and am convinced of its benefits. The combination of Design Thinking and an MBA is quite unique and something I was specifically looking for.
Moreover, the way it is planned with four educational weeks per year and self-study in between also appealed to me. During these educational weeks you are completely zoned out from your work and when you go back to work you get new energy with many new ideas. And last but not least, Maastricht is a beautiful city, it’s great to have the modules there and explore the area.
AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE FOR THE RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP & SUSTAINABILITY ELECTIVE?
I think everyone will have to take responsibility for the climate challenges we face. This elective will help shape my ideas about how companies can take responsibility.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS ON-CAMPUS EXECUTIVE MBA?
I think it will be helpful in so many ways. It will broaden my knowledge base, it will give me the opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds, open my mind to different perspectives and creatively solve problems together.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF THE COURSE SO FAR?
It’s hard to choose between my great teammates, the Maastricht Women Business Network with interesting talks and the classmates and the knowledgeable teachers. I think it’s a combination of all of the above!
AND HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE THE MAASTRICHTMBA PROGRAMME AFTER THE CORONA BREAKOUT?
Maastricht listens to the wishes of the students and tries to accommodate those as much as possible. My first module was online because the circumstances did not permit otherwise. Still, I loved every minute of it.
ANY TIPS FOR SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT APPLYING FOR MAASTRICHTMBA?
Just go for it, don’t overthink. It’s an investment in yourself, a life changing event.