Saying yes to opportunities: how to grow in the Full-time MBA

Quitting a stable job to return to full-time education is a leap of courage. For Full-time MBA (FTMBA) student Mehmet Kiraz (Class of 2027), applying to ESMT Berlin was just such a leap – one that is paying off every day.

In this blog, Mehmet outlines how the BMW Change Maker Fellowship made this leap possible and offers his encouragement for students thinking about their own scholarship opportunities.

Mehmet also takes us through some ESMT highlights, from his Sustainability in Practice project with Deutsche Telekom, to his cohort's group trip to Paris. Above all, he explains how opening yourself up to FTMBA opportunities means accessing "learning [that] doesn't stop when class ends." 

Hi Mehmet, please introduce yourself

Hi, I am Mehmet Kiraz. I was born and raised in Izmir, Türkiye. I am a mechanical engineer with a background in robotics and software, and I have spent several years in Germany working on industrial robots and self-driving cars.

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring Berlin’s food scene, staying active through sports, reading self-development books, travelling and learning new languages on Duolingo (trying to keep my streak alive).

Why did you choose ESMT and what drew you to the Full-time MBA (FTMBA) program in particular?

"I noticed a level of enthusiasm that felt authentic rather than rehearsed."

I chose ESMT because it felt like the right fit for the kind of MBA experience I was looking for: practical, international, and closely connected to the real challenges shaping business today. What stood out most was the school's clear focus on leadership, innovation, and the future of business, which are the themes that directly aligned with where I want to take my career next.

The FTMBA appealed to me because I wanted a fully immersive experience, surrounded by people from genuinely different backgrounds and perspectives. Attending two Open House events confirmed this: speaking with current students and members of the ESMT community, I noticed a level of enthusiasm that felt authentic rather than rehearsed. Those conversations gave me confidence that ESMT was not just a strong program on paper, but a community I could see myself learning and growing in.

You were awarded the BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship. Could you tell us a bit about this fellowship and what it changed for you? 

The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship was more than financial support for me. It was the moment this MBA stopped being an idea and became real. Before receiving it, I was still overthinking whether leaving a stable job for an uncertain path made sense. The fellowship changed that: it showed me this was not just my personal ambition, but a path someone else believed in too. It shifted my mindset. Instead of seeing the MBA as a risk, I began seeing it as a real opportunity to grow, challenge myself, and prepare for the leadership role I want in the future. 

It also gave me a sense of responsibility to fully commit to the experience at ESMT. More personally, it gave me a clear signal that my background in technology and my future potential were worth investing in. That gave me the courage to finally take a step I might otherwise have kept postponing. 

My advice would be to start early and take real time to think about your own story. Don't just list what you've done. Instead, explain why this opportunity matters to you and why it feels like the right next step. Be genuine in how you present yourself; authenticity comes through more than a polished narrative ever could.

And maybe most importantly, don't talk yourself out of applying. Many people hesitate because they feel they are not quite ready or not good enough. But sometimes you just have to go for it, just do it!

Yours is the most global current cohort at ESMT: 91% have an international background. What is it like working with such a diverse class?

"It is often in those unscripted moments that you learn the most, and not just about business, but about how people around the world approach the same problems from different frames."

It is a fantastic experience. Working with such a diverse class makes every discussion richer, because people bring different perspectives shaped by their cultures, industries, and personal experiences. Even when we do not agree, those moments of disagreement end up being the most valuable part of the conversation. They push you to think more critically, question your own assumptions, and see the same problem from angles you might never have considered on your own.

What I also really enjoy is that the learning does not stop when class ends. Some of the best exchanges happen informally, over lunch or after a session, when conversations become more personal, and people open up about their backgrounds, career paths, and the challenges they have faced. It is often in those unscripted moments that you learn the most, and not just about business, but about how people around the world approach the same problems from different frames. 

Our FTMBA program offers a Sustainability in Practice (SIP) summer option, in which teams of four to six students spend six weeks addressing real ESG challenges for corporate, nonprofit, or startup partners. Guided by an experienced sustainability coach and with a project budget, students apply their finance, strategy, and operations training to a live engagement rather than a classroom exercise. The project concludes with a formal presentation and report delivered to the partner organization, converting academic learning into practical impact.

Did you have any previous experience in sustainability or consulting? 

I chose the SIP option because I wanted to work on something practical, even though I did not have a formal background in consulting or sustainability. For me, it was a great opportunity to step into a new area, learn through a real project, and apply an MBA mindset to a topic that truly matters.

It also appealed to me because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I saw it as a chance to develop new skills, work with people who bring different perspectives, and understand sustainability from a business point of view, rather than only from theory.

Who else was on your team? Did you have any support or mentorship?

I worked on the project with my fellow MBA classmates, Jane Michel, Meca Shi, and Tammy Sokari. It was a very collaborative team, and having classmates from different backgrounds made the experience richer and more dynamic.

We received a strong and valuable mentorship from Joanna Radeke who is the Director of the ESMT Institute for Sustainable Transformation and Director of Sustainability at ESMT Berlin. In addition, we had valuable support and guidance from the company, which helped us stay aligned with their needs and made the project feel both real and practical.

What company did your team work with, and in general terms, what was your project about?

"We explored how Deutsche Telekom could turn decommissioned network equipment from a disposal and compliance burden into a strategic asset, using reduce, reuse, and recycle pathways."

Our team worked with Deutsche Telekom on a project focused on designing a circular business model for monetizing end-of-life network equipment. In broad terms, we explored how Deutsche Telekom could turn decommissioned network equipment from a disposal and compliance burden into a strategic asset, using reduce, reuse, and recycle pathways.

Were you able to leverage any learnings from the FTMBA in your SIP project? Did any particular classes or workshops stick with you?

Yes, definitely! The SIP project was a great place to apply what we learned in the FTMBA, especially the mix of strategic thinking, structured problem-solving, financial modelling, and turning analysis into actionable recommendations.

A few things stood out. The strategy and corporate finance mindset were essential, since we had to evaluate where value was created, what was commercially viable, and how different circular pathways compared against each other. The readings and class discussions on leadership, teamwork, and organizational behavior also proved valuable, since the project was not only about building a strong business case, but also about implementation and securing buy-in across the organization. 

Yes, ESMT’s extracurricular life is very active and strongly community driven. Beyond class, there are clubs, fireside chats, hackathons, venture meets, sports (e.g. ESMT Olympics), and social impact activities, which makes it feel like students can engage both professionally and socially.

For me, the Class Representative role has been the most meaningful extracurricular so far. It has given me the chance to help connect the class, gather feedback, and represent student perspectives in a constructive way, which has been a valuable leadership experience outside the classroom.

I am also especially excited about the initiative I am exploring with my classmate Ting Han through the Geopolitics and Business Club. It is a great space to examine how global political shifts affect business decisions, and I see it as an opportunity to create something relevant, engaging, and discussion driven for the wider ESMT community.

What has been your favorite ESMT memory so far? 

My favorite ESMT memory so far is the MBA Tournament (MBAT) in Paris. It was one of those weekends where almost the entire cohort was completely united, cheering for ESMT nonstop, moving from event to event, and losing our voices along the way. What made it especially memorable was seeing how close we already were as a class and how that bond became even stronger in a new setting. We were tired, a bit chaotic, and having a lot of fun, which made the whole experience feel very real.

It felt like more than a competition. It felt like a shared experience that brought the cohort even closer together. 

What is your favorite place on campus? How about in Berlin?

My favorite place on campus is the ESMT garden, especially on sunny days when I can sit there with a book and relax for a while. It feels calm and is a nice break from the intensity of MBA life.

In Berlin, my favorite place is my neighborhood, especially walking up to Viktoriapark. It’s a great spot to clear my head, enjoy the city, and get a bit of nature without leaving Berlin.

Do you have any advice for future students considering a FTMBA at ESMT? How would you encourage your pre-MBA self?

"Some of the most valuable parts are unexpected conversations, friendships, and the moments outside the classroom."

I would tell future students to come in with an open mind and be ready to make the most of both the academic and personal sides of the experience. The MBA goes by quickly, so it helps to be proactive, join events, talk to people outside your usual circle, and say yes to opportunities that stretch you.

To my pre-MBA self, I would say: trust the process and enjoy it! It is easy to focus only on recruiting, grades, or the next milestone, but some of the most valuable parts are unexpected conversations, friendships, and the moments outside the classroom.

Thank you, Mehmet!

If you have been inspired by this blog, and would like to hear more from Mehmet, you can follow him on LinkedIn