Tasneem joined the University of York’s School for Business and Society to study the MSc in International Business, Leadership and Management online. With a background in English Literature and Linguistics, she wanted to pivot her career towards business and management, a field she had never studied before. Studying part-time online gave her the flexibility to continue working while developing the skills and confidence to build a new professional path.

Why did you choose to study the MSc in International Business, Leadership and Management at York?

Joining the School for Business and Society at the University of York wasn’t simply a continuation of my academic path; it was a transformative chapter that reshaped my career, thinking and aspirations. Coming from a background in English Literature and Linguistics, I stepped into the world of business and management with no prior exposure. I still remember that moment vividly — beginning with my first module, which opened the door to a new discipline, a new language and a new way of seeing the world.

What did you gain from the course?

Through the MSc, I developed three core capacities that continue to serve me every day: a critical approach to problem-solving, the ability to communicate with clarity and impact, and, most significantly, a deeper insight into my own professional development.

The programme’s structure allowed me to explore business from multiple angles, including strategy, people management, marketing, global business ethics and operations. Each phase deepened both my knowledge and my confidence.

What was the highlight of your studies?

My Independent Research Project was a turning point. I conducted a comparative study of leadership development programmes in two leading tech incubators in the Middle East — research that not only bridged my academic interests with my regional context, but also shaped the direction of my career.

What have you gone on to do since graduating?

After graduating, I went on to build my own start-up, an education technology venture that is both personal and transformative. I also led strategic projects in leading MENA organisations, and today I serve as a Project Manager at a company building the Arab world’s first mental wellness ecosystem using behavioural science, cognitive behavioural therapy and culturally contextualised digital tools.

Alongside my professional work, I continue to pursue research focused on how global market forces, leadership and structural power dynamics shape entrepreneurship, knowledge production and regional innovation in the Middle East.

How has the course influenced your outlook?

The ethical, socially responsible and international themes that underpin the York programme continue to guide my choices. I believe these elements, embedded in every module, prepared me not just to navigate complex systems but to challenge them when needed, and to build solutions that are both innovative and compassionate.

My journey at York not only gave me a solid foundation, but also opened doors to the professional network I had always aspired to access. More importantly, it enabled me to bridge the gap between scholarship and practice, between regional challenges and global frameworks — a connection I remain committed to exploring as both an entrepreneur and an emerging scholar.