The course challenged me to think critically, analyse tasks and develop a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset

Michael received the Bioscience Enterprise Studentship last academic year, which is made possible thanks to the vital funds raised during LucyGives 2022.

Beyond the financial face value of the award, the MBE (Masters in Bioscience Enterprise) Scholarship had a profound personal effect on me. It instilled a motivation to capitalise on this unique situation to ensure I made the most of the opportunities and resources at Cambridge particularly regarding starting my professional career. While I felt that the scholarship was in a way recognition for my achievements thus far, it also provided a subconscious sense of stability and reinforced my drive to get the most from the programme.

The academic quality and rigour of the course has been truly enriching, and the breadth of material covered has made it a well-rounded experience. What I found particularly useful was the variety of speakers conducting the lectures, who are not only experts in their field but also at the cutting edge both from a research and investment perspective. Overall, the course has built a strong foundation that fosters a holistic perspective and strategic mindset to address the complex challenges in the bioscience industry.

The opportunity to study at Cambridge has also had a significant impact on my professional development. The MBE is designed to provide students not just with the necessary knowledge but also key practical skills to excel in the bioscience industry. In this context, the emphasis on teamwork throughout the course has been a crucial element for me, especially since I gained valuable insight into the differences in people’s work styles and dynamics given the diverse nature of the cohort. The consulting project has been a particularly insightful project during the course, given the intrinsically multifaceted nature of the work drawing on various skill sets that are vital in a professional setting. The course has also provided ample networking opportunities and learning about the career paths of people being involved in the field has been inspiring. Together with the career resources provided by Cambridge, these professional development opportunities have not only enriched my university experience but have also positioned me well for future job prospects in the bioscience industry.

Beyond the academic and professional development opportunities, my engagement on the MBE course has also contributed to my personal growth. Throughout the programme, I have been challenged to think critically, analyse tasks and develop a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset. This was particularly reflected throughout the projects which helped me develop my leadership, communication and teamwork abilities. Most notably, numerous assignments required interacting with key opinion leaders and experts both in terms of interviewing and presenting back to them which was especially effective in strengthening my self-confidence. Similarly, working with fellow students from different backgrounds has been crucial to understand and learn from the varied approaches that can be taken to complete certain tasks. Interacting with other students from my college and in the wider Cambridge community was also highly influential in broadening my horizon and seeing everyone’s drive, passion and commitment nurtured a beneficial learning environment. Ultimately, the course has provided the framework to become a dynamic and adaptable professional within the bioscience industry with the necessary competencies to have a meaningful impact.

Lastly, the experiences and insights over the past months have been instrumental in shaping my career choices. When I first joined Cambridge, there were multiple career choices I had been deliberating mostly between a consulting/investment route or working directly at a bioscience start-up. The course has provided ample opportunities that have exposed me to these fields in greater depth both from a conceptual and practical standpoint. Personally, I have found the start-up field to be more enticing and rewarding, enabling me to integrate both my background in biochemistry as well as the business acumen furthered by the MBE course to make a meaningful contribution. The smaller team size also allows for greater autonomy and ownership of projects, enabling one to directly impact and shape the company’s success. Most importantly, however, the dynamic and fast-paced environment combined with working at the forefront of technological innovation is a highly rewarding prospect. Over the past years, I have been fascinated by the development of cellular regeneration technologies, a field that I am actively pursuing since it has immense potential to transform healthcare.

Being the recipient of the Bioscience Enterprise Scholarship is a great honour, and I am deeply grateful that this award was extended to me. Once again, I would like to extend my personal and sincere gratitude to the donors of this award. It has truly had a transformative impact on my Cambridge experience!

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