Yoshihiro Hato
Full-time MBA, 2006
Country of origin: Japan
Employer: Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK
Before the Lancaster MBA, I worked in local government in Japan. I managed projects for university research administration and was also involved in the management of industry-university relations. The post had been newly created in order to meet the demands of the rapidly changing Japanese higher education system and I was keen to study management in depth.
I chose Lancaster for various reasons, including reputation, the size of the class and the length of the course. The size of the class was an important factor because I wanted to get to know the others on the course well, and I felt that this was more feasible in a class of about seventy. A one-year course was ideal, since I had already gained a Masters in Political Science and did not want to spend too much more time as a student.
The course’s balance of theory and practical application was just right. Above all, I really enjoyed the consultancy projects, especially the summer project, when I worked for the National Trust with my colleague, Terry Clarke.
It was a fulfilling year, experiencing and learning new skill sets, as well as interacting with colleagues in social and academic settings. On a personal note, it was also a momentous year for another reason, since I got married halfway through the course. As an MBA student, you always find time to do what you have to do!
After graduation, my job hunt was not necessarily simple, but with a Lancaster MBA, I had more than a few jobs to choose from both in Japan and the UK. I am currently managing some challenging projects at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK in Corporate Planning. I feel that my education and professional experience are being fully put to the test in this new job.
If I were to give one piece of advice to anybody thinking of doing the MBA at Lancaster, I would say: do it, but plan it well. For most people this will be the final degree that they do. So regard it as an investment for the future and make the most of it – even if this means less sleep than you are used to!
