Jesper Thijssen
Here at the MaastrichtMBA, we love our alumni and enjoy staying in touch! We recently caught up with class of 2016 alumni Jesper Thijssen and reminisced over his experience at the MaastrichtMBA.
FAST FACTS
- Name: Jesper Thijssen
- Started: September 2014
- Graduated: October 2016
- Nationality: Dutch
- Company: JTV Consulting
- Function: Owner / Sr. SAP IS-U Consultant
HI JESPER, WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MAASTRICHTMBA?
After working for almost 20 years in the same industry and in the same job, I found my career options to be rather limited. Working as a freelance ICT specialist, companies would hire me for my proven skills and expertise. This did not leave much room for further development or broadening my views. I thought that an executive MBA would provide me with a solid theoretical foundation, while learning from the experiences of my classmates at the same time. The modular setup of the MaastrichtMBA allowed me to combine work and study, and given the fact that I live near Maastricht, the choice for Maastricht University was an easy one.
DID THE PROGRAMME MEET ALL OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
I completed the programme in October 2016 and my expectations regarding the programme were all met. The theory offered during the different modules could be applied immediately when working on the different assignments. This showed the practical use of the courses offered and ensured a better understanding of the course materials. I also learned a lot from discussing cases with my fellow students, and it was very interesting to see how the different cultures present in the classroom interacted. And the best part, the MaastrichtMBA made learning fun! It was always a pleasure to meet up with my peers, prepare new modules, or work on assignments.
WERE THERE ANY SURPRISES?
The Leadership Development Trajectory was an unexpected bonus for me personally. While I was under the assumption that this trajectory was all about skills training and developing “a managerial attitude” it turned out to be nothing like that. The LDT made me think about myself, about what is important to me and about how I can influence things. Whereas it sounded fuzzy and intangible at first, it actually offered new perspectives and surprising insights. It also made me into a more relaxed and nicer person and colleague.