Why I chose to become a student again: curiosity as a compass in the Executive MBA

There is a perception that once you reach a certain stage in your career, formal learning becomes less important. For me, the opposite has always been true.

When people hear that I recently completed the Executive MBA (EMBA) at ESMT Berlin, they often ask, "Why would you go back to school at this stage of your career?"

It's a fair question.

After more than twenty years building a career across the logistics industry, living and working in Ireland, London, Australia, Singapore, and now Dubai, I wasn't pursuing a promotion, a title, or the next rung on the corporate ladder.

I was pursuing growth.

A journey driven by curiosity

Looking back, my decision to pursue an Executive MBA was not a new ambition. It had been on my personal "to do" list for many years.

I explored programs while living in Sydney and later Singapore, but the timing never quite aligned. When I moved to Dubai and stepped into my current role leading Sales & Marketing across the Middle East and Africa, the opportunity finally presented itself.

The motivation was simple. It had been a long time since I had studied formally, and I wanted to challenge myself. I wanted to know whether I still had the curiosity, discipline, and resilience to step back into the classroom and learn in a completely different way.

That desire to learn has been a constant throughout my life.

I often reflect on being a teenager in Ireland and feeling a strong pull towards the world beyond my hometown. I knew I wanted to travel, experience different cultures, and continue learning. I didn't have a detailed roadmap, but that curiosity became my compass and has guided many of the decisions I have made throughout my life and career.

Balancing leadership, family, and study

“DHL was incredibly supportive throughout the program. The company has a strong track record of investing in people and leadership development, and I am fortunate to be one of many DHL leaders who have completed the ESMT Executive MBA over the years.”

Pursuing an EMBA while leading a regional business was one of the most rewarding challenges I have taken on. It was also one of the hardest.

At the time, I was leading commercial teams across the Middle East and Africa, managing extensive travel, customer commitments, and the realities of running a business in a dynamic region. At the same time, I was balancing family life as a mother to a teenager and trying to carve out the headspace needed to study.

There were plenty of trade-offs.

Assignments were completed between flights. Study deadlines competed with business priorities. There were moments when I genuinely wondered how everything would fit together.

There were also moments when I couldn't see the finish line. The years seemed to merge into one long cycle of travel, work, study, and family commitments. Looking back, I realize just how much resilience the experience demanded, not only from me, but from the people around me.

What made the difference was the support around me.

My husband, son, friends, colleagues, fellow classmates, and leadership team all played an important role in helping me complete the journey.

DHL was incredibly supportive throughout the program. The company has a strong track record of investing in people and leadership development, and I am fortunate to be one of many DHL leaders who have completed the ESMT Executive MBA over the years.

That support reinforced something I have always admired about DHL: a genuine belief that learning never stops.

Learning across the world

“Exposure to different perspectives makes us better leaders. The more we understand different cultures, viewpoints, and ways of working, the more effective we become at connecting people and solving complex problems.”

One of the highlights of the Executive MBA was the opportunity to learn in different environments around the world.

While Berlin became a second home, the program also took us to places including Lisbon, Cape Town, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

Each destination left a different impression.

Shanghai challenged my thinking around innovation, resilience, and long-term strategic planning. Understanding China's economic transformation and witnessing innovation at scale reinforced the importance of anticipating change rather than simply reacting to it.

Tokyo offered a very different perspective. The focus on precision, relationships, culture, and continuous improvement was fascinating. Unfortunately, our final international module coincided with heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, meaning I was balancing learning with supporting customers and teams through a period of uncertainty and disruption.

I remember arriving in Japan knowing that while I was physically present for the module, part of my mind remained with my customers, colleagues, and teams across the region. That experience taught me something important about leadership. Life rarely creates perfect conditions for growth. Often our greatest learning happens in the middle of uncertainty, when we are required to adapt, pivot, and be fully present wherever we are needed most.

Cape Town and Lisbon brought their own lessons on diversity, entrepreneurship, inclusion, and leadership.

Collectively, these experiences reinforced something I have learned throughout my career: exposure to different perspectives makes us better leaders. The more we understand different cultures, viewpoints, and ways of working, the more effective we become at connecting people and solving complex problems. 

While the curriculum was exceptional, some of my greatest takeaways came from the people.

The diversity of the cohort was incredible. Participants came from different industries, backgrounds, functions, and countries. The classroom discussions were often just as valuable as the lectures themselves.

I left with new ideas, lifelong friendships, and a broader perspective on leadership.

There was also something special about the ESMT experience itself.

Every visit to Berlin felt like stepping into a community. The professors challenged us to think differently, but it was also the environment that stood out. Whether it was conversations between classes, reconnecting with classmates, or simply being greeted by familiar faces on campus, there was a genuine sense of belonging.

In a world that often moves at an incredible pace, ESMT gave me something I didn't realize I needed: space to reflect.

Why the DHL and ESMT relationship matters

“What I particularly value is the way both organizations help bring industry and academia closer together.”

My experience feels especially meaningful because of the long-standing relationship between DHL and ESMT.

DHL was one of the founding companies behind ESMT, reflecting a shared commitment to leadership, education, and lifelong learning. Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand how strongly DHL supports the development of its people through mentoring, leadership programs, international opportunities, and further education.

What I particularly value is the way both organizations help bring industry and academia closer together.

Business brings practical challenges and real-world complexity. Academic institutions bring fresh thinking, research, and the ability to challenge assumptions. When those worlds come together, innovation happens.

Seeing ESMT students work on projects and internships with DHL is a great example of that partnership in action. It creates opportunities for students to gain real-world experience while enabling organizations to benefit from fresh perspectives and new ideas.

To me, that is what lifelong learning looks like in practice.

“I started this journey wanting to challenge myself academically. I finished it with a renewed appreciation for curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning.”

If there is one lesson I will take away from the Executive MBA, it is that leadership is not just about growing businesses.

It is about growing people.

Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from mentoring talent, helping people discover their potential, and creating opportunities for others to succeed. Watching someone develop confidence, overcome obstacles, and achieve things they never thought possible is incredibly rewarding.

As I have progressed through my career, I have realized that my greatest sense of achievement does not come from revenue targets or business results. It comes from seeing people grow. Whether it is a young graduate taking their first leadership role, a colleague discovering confidence they didn't know they had, or someone overcoming barriers to achieve their ambitions, those are the moments that stay with me.

The EMBA reinforced that belief.

For anyone considering the journey, my advice is simple: be clear about your "why", commit fully to the experience, and embrace the process.

The qualification is important, but what stays with you long after graduation are the relationships, perspectives, experiences, and personal growth that happen along the way.

I started this journey wanting to challenge myself academically. I finished it with a renewed appreciation for curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning.

As I often tell my team:

Dream. Dare. Deliver.

Because the moment we stop learning is the moment we stop growing.

Thank you, Mary!

Mary Oxley is the Vice President Sales & Marketing, DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa. If you feel inspired by her story and her take on the importance of mentorship and lifelong learning, you can follow her on LinkedIn for further insights.