As I sit on my balcony this Sunday, October 20th, enjoying the warm autumn sun, I find myself compelled to reflect on my Pharma MBA journey at Goethe Business School so far. With two semesters behind me and the third just beginning, I am filled with a sense of gratitude, pride, and excitement. Gratitude for the learning and experiences I have gained, pride in overcoming challenges, and excitement knowing that there is only half a year of coursework remaining.
Looking Back: The Challenges and Triumphs of the First Semester
The first semester was undoubtedly the toughest. It wasn't just about the intensity of the curriculum, but also the adjustment to the new rhythm of balancing full-time work, personal life, and demanding studies. The dark, cold winter days certainly didn’t help, but the real challenge was finding my footing in this new academic environment. The weight of expectations – both from myself and from the various facets of life – was significant. Managing a full-time job, dedicating energy to my studies, and maintaining relationships with family and friends were overwhelming at times. However, I remained focused on my goals and kept pushing forward.
One of the most demanding courses was Corporate Finance. Unlike my typical daily work tasks, COFI pushed me into a new realm, filled with complex financial theories and models that initially felt abstract and difficult to grasp. I recall long lectures in a brightly lit classroom while outside, the winter darkness set in, and the only glimpse of beauty was the occasional pink hue of the clouds as the sun set – a reminder of the moments I was missing while immersed in learning. What made this challenge more bearable – and ultimately transformative – was the camaraderie we built as a class and as challenging as it was, we all knew what we were striving for and remained motivated, and all efforts paid off.
Another hurdle in the first semester was the need to quickly form and navigate group dynamics. Teamwork is an essential part of the program, and within just a few weeks, we had to prepare for our first presentations. Despite the pressure, we managed to establish regular team meetings, often late in the evenings after work. By the end of the semester, our team had found its rhythm, making the collaboration in the second semester smoother and more effective. We had identified each other's strengths and this understanding allowed us to work more efficiently, communicating openly and directly. Despite all the challenges, I look back on the first semester with a positive outlook. It was filled with many "firsts" – new knowledge and fresh perspectives in courses such as Managerial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Organizational Behavior, Ethics in Business, and Strategic Management and Corporate Development. These courses shared common themes: teamwork, the acquisition of new insights, and the ability to adopt a broader, more strategic perspective. Most importantly, they provided an opportunity for personal growth and self-awareness.
The Second Semester: Gaining Momentum
The second semester brought a deeper focus on core business competencies in the pharmaceutical industry, and more specialized subjects were introduced, such as:
- Pharmaceutical Value Chain
- Foundations of Patent and Pharmaceutical Law
- High-Performance Teams
- Innovation and Pricing Management
Again, in each of these courses, active participation was key. Whether through presentations, real-world case studies, or examples from our own professional projects, the emphasis was on applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges!
Looking Ahead: The Third Semester and Beyond
As I enter the third semester, I am excited to deepen my knowledge in several areas, particularly:
- Marketing & Sales
- Research & Development & Medical Affairs
- Market Access & Health Economics
- Intrapreneurship & Business Development
These four courses, selected from six available options, will shape my final semester here in Frankfurt. Only eight more weekends are to be spent on campus, to be exact. Once again, winter is approaching, and while the workload will be intense, I am already certain of one valuable outcome of this MBA journey: the incredible people I’ve met. Friendships have formed, and working alongside these talented individuals has made the learning experience both enjoyable and rewarding. Looking ahead, I am also eager to begin preparing for my Master’s thesis. We have already started exploring potential topics, and the excitement of diving into this final phase of the program is building up. Here’s to the challenges, the learning, and the exciting journey that still lies ahead!