SBS Blog > The Strathclyde MBA: only connect by Taranjot Chopra

The Strathclyde MBA: only connect

By Taranjot Chopra - Posted on 8 March 2023

Taranjot Chopra is a full time MBA student and recently attended the Scottish MBA Conference. Here, he talks about his experience of the event and the impact it had.

As an MBA student, I was excited to attend the Scottish MBA Conference and gain some new insights into the UK business world along with fellow MBA folks from Edinburgh and Glasgow business schools. But to be honest, I was also looking forward to socializing with the chance to network with some of my fellow future business leaders.

This day was a bit overwhelming - so many people, myriad workshops, and ample opportunities to learn. It was an enlightening experience to attend sessions on commercial and operations in the first half and consulting in the second, and I have to say, they were impeccable in delivering insights about their respective industries. Additionally, I took some memos and after brainstorming ideas made a list of all the potential approaches I could pursue in the future.

But let's talk about the real MVP of the conference - the people. They were extraordinary - broods coming from various backgrounds, industries, and experiences. I had the chance to speak to a couple of people with whom I was able to exchange ideas, widen my knowledge and make new connections.

The endnote speaker Rory Lawson - former Rugby International and Executive Leadership Coach - was awe-inspiring, to say the least. As soon as he started speaking, I realised that a “never give up” attitude is the key to living life and making the best out of it in the worst situations. I also would like to take this opportunity to mention some of my peer’s insights in regard to this conference which are listed below to show what others thought:

“The Scottish MBA 2023 Conference was a great eye-opener and learning opportunity. I obtained a better knowledge of the business landscape by hearing from industry leaders. I appreciated the opportunity to network with peers, alumni, and potential employers. I learned about the most recent company sustainability initiatives, strategies, and technologies in this ever-changing world.

“One of the greatest learnings that struck me the most was from Rory Lawson. He has the most well-detailed approaches to life. He ended the whole MBA conference on a high and outstanding note. Rory shared so many incredible and meaningful life experiences that I needed to hear for my own journey. I left the conference with a positive feeling, especially how I needed to find my Hinterland which I believe will be the start of something great in my life.

“Thanks to Jane, Susan, Camila, Julie, Leslie, and the remaining MBA team for such a special experience.” - Kome

“I had the pleasure of attending the Scottish MBA conference, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. The event provided a fantastic opportunity to forge meaningful connections, gain industry insights, and learn from the valuable experiences of esteemed panelists.

“What impressed me the most about the conference was its focus on sustainability, networking, and practical advice. The inspiring talks particularly struck me by Fran Van Dijk and Rory Lawson, who shared their stories of overcoming adversity and succeeding despite setbacks.

“One of the most valuable takeaways from the conference was learning how to turn failures into opportunities for growth and discovering passion in the face of challenges. I left the event feeling empowered and motivated to apply these insights to my professional journey.” - Tapasya

And how could I forget the networking? I definitely felt like I was back in undergrad again and everyone trying to out-network each other. I was able to interact with people from various walks of life and to my surprise made a few new friends, which is always a bonus.

All in all, the MBA conference was definitely a worthwhile experience. I learned a lot, ate a lot, and had a great time. I can't wait to see what the next one has in store for us!