Broadening Horizons with a Global Executive MBA

With seven years of experience in the petrochemical industry, Phongrada Kosaiyakanon (MBA 2021) saw an opportunity to grow in her career by gaining a deeper understanding of finance and broadening her business knowledge.

Her search for the right MBA program led her to the University of Washington Foster School of Business Global Executive MBA program in Seattle. The combination of a strong finance curriculum, a one-year format, an international perspective, and high rankings made it a perfect fit. “The one-year format was perfect for me. It allowed me to advance my career without stepping away from my professional journey for too long,” she says.

While the timing of Kosaiyakanon’s enrollment in Foster’s Global Executive MBA program was ideal for her career goals, it brought unique challenges as it coincided with the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite initially attending classes remotely due to travel restrictions, she embraced the experience of learning and connecting with classmates virtually and in person.

A world of perspectives

The international nature of the Global Executive MBA program became one of the most critical aspects of Kosaiyakanon’s experience. Collaborating with peers from diverse industries and cultural backgrounds expanded her understanding of global challenges.

“The program offered a truly international perspective that allowed me to analyze and address business topics from a broader lens,” she says. She appreciates how the curriculum’s emphasis on international business prepared her for leadership roles in an interconnected world.

Today, Kosaiyakanon is a financial analyst at Amazon, supporting global stores. The insights she gained from Foster—particularly in financial modeling and business consulting projects—have become essential tools in her work.

Learning across disciplines

Kosaiyakanon sought a holistic MBA education that included more than just finance. “I wanted to not only focus on finance, but I also wanted to know about supply chain management, tools for big data, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and entrepreneurial marketing,” she explains. “The Global Executive MBA program built a robust foundation in business and finance, equipping me with skills that continue to shape the way I work.”

To her, a course on modeling with spreadsheets stood out. Taught by Foster Professor Mark Hillier, the class challenged her to think critically and build foundational skills for her career. “We learned to build models in Excel and understand the underlying logic. He had good explanations of what we needed to understand. We learned to set up a model in Excel, and I learned the logic behind the model. It was a difficult class, but it helped me learn how to set up a model in the real world.”

Hands-on opportunities were a key part of her learning experience. While at Foster, she completed an internship with venture capital projects and participated in a consultancy class where she refined her problem-solving skills. These projects allowed her to apply classroom knowledge to the workplace.

Advice for future Global Executive MBA students

For those considering the program, Kosaiyakanon has practical advice: “I recommend that new students connect with others and take advantage of opportunities to collaborate across other Foster MBA programs. The one-year program is intense and passes quickly, so it’s important to maximize every learning experience. Take full advantage of this unique and enriching journey.”

She encourages students to seek learning opportunities beyond their core program: “If you want to study something and you’re not sure whether your program offers that, reach out to your program.”

She shares her own experience: “I enrolled in an elective class from the Full-Time MBA program that caught my interest, even though it wasn’t part of the Global Executive MBA program. By reaching out to the program coordinator, I was able to join and enhance my learning beyond the core curriculum. Seeking opportunities outside your program can add valuable dimensions to your education.”

While the Global Executive MBA program requires focus and dedication, Kosaiyakanon offers a final piece of advice about maximizing the benefits of the one-year program: “Don’t forget to explore Seattle, too. It’s important to find a little balance.”

Learn more about the Global Executive MBA here.