In our ‘10 Questions’ series, KBS caught up with Debbie Kemp, Head of Employability and Placements, and Senior Lecturer in Retail and Enterprise who recently graduated with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
Describe yourself in three words…
Confident, Positive and Organised.
How did you come to realise you wanted to study an MBA?
I wanted to extend my knowledge across all areas of business.
Why did you choose to study for an MBA at KBS?
It has a great reputation and it’s local to me, making studying part-time easier to manage with work and home commitments.
What advice would you give to those thinking about studying while working full time?
The MBA at Kent University is structured to help part-time students manage work commitments around the teaching. This is achieved by studying a different subject in a week block. Assignments and exams were planned in advance which enabled me to manage my diary at busy times of the year.
How do you think an MBA will enhance your career/job?
An MBA qualification is highly regarded in all businesses around the world and within academia which will help me develop my career further.
What was the hardest part about studying and working?
At times it was mentally exhausting, particularly when revising for exams which I hadn’t done for many years, but you could recover in the summer! You need a very supportive network of family and friends to encourage you and keep you motivated over the years of study.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
10 years is a long time! Enjoying a great career, watching my children graduate, walking my dog on the beach and travelling to places in the world I have not yet have visited with my very supportive husband.
What is the most valuable thing you learnt from your MBA?
The connections and friendships with other businessmen and women on the course have been one of the things I most value. Peer to peer learning was actively encouraged and the debates we had added to my overall knowledge.
Do you have a mentor or role model who has inspired you?
My father inspired me to always enjoy learning and to challenge myself to achieve at the highest level.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am excited to be taking up a Non-Executive Director role for Demelza House Hospice which is a great local Kent charity and I hope to share my knowledge in Retail Management having previously worked for M&S for 15 years.
If you would like to be featured in our ’10 Questions’ series, please get in touch with a member of the Marketing team kbsmarketing@kent.ac.uk