Six paths, one program: Career journeys of Global Online MBA alumni

Career shifts rarely happen in a single leap. They take shape through moments: applying new skills for the first time, making a connection that opens an unexpected door, finding the confidence to take on bigger challenges. 

For many of our students and alumni, the Global Online MBA (GOMBA) at ESMT Berlin is where those moments align, creating the bridge from where they are to where they want to go–sometimes even before graduation. 

Some of our graduates have stepped into entirely new industries. Others have uncovered opportunities in different countries, while many have redefined what’s possible in their current roles. Here, we share six different paths shaped by one shared experience, demonstrating how the Global Online MBA can lead to career transformation in many forms. 

Bringing global experience home 

After years working abroad, Justina Geneviciute set her sights on driving sustainable growth in Lithuania. The program gave her the skills, confidence, and strategic mindset to channel her international experience into a leadership role advancing green investment at home.  

She has also stayed connected to ESMT as a Teaching Assistant for the Global Online MBA Negotiations course with Prof. Martin Schweinsberg, helping students navigate strategies, styles, and cross-cultural challenges. 

Justina Geneviciute (left) at the 2025 Annual Alumni Meeting

“GOMBA was the turning point in my career journey. Surrounded by a truly global cohort, I was challenged to rethink my assumptions and adapt to new ways of working. The hands-on curriculum—especially the “Sales and Marketing in the Digital World” module—gave me practical skills that I could immediately apply. The focus on customer-centric marketing, data-driven decision making, and collaborating with international teams prepared me to step confidently into new industries and leadership roles.

What made GOMBA unique was its empowering environment. The program didn’t just teach management concepts—it fostered my growth as a change agent. Through team projects and real-world case studies, I learned how to unite diverse perspectives, communicate with impact, and lead transformational initiatives. This experience directly paved my path to joining Invest Lithuania, where I now drive green investment and innovation. GOMBA gave me the toolkit and mindset to turn bold career changes into real-world success.” 

– Justina Geneviciute (Lithuania), from Business Development Manager, Global Markets at EVBox in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Senior Investment Advisor at Invest Lithuania in Vilnius, Lithuania. 

Breaking into a new industry with confidence 

When Stefan Dinkel joined Cadis midway through his MBA, it was more than a career move; it was his entry point into the tech world. The program gave him the chance to gain hands-on industry experience, develop a thesis around a live business challenge, and strengthen his credentials for a confident move to Salesforce soon after. 

“The GOMBA at ESMT helped me make a major career shift: from a leadership role in operations at UPS in Munich into the world of tech and SaaS in Dublin. During the program, I moved into a more strategic, customer-focused role and joined Cadis, in Munich, where I had my first real SaaS experience. There, I worked on improving customer experience and even developed my master thesis on a company-wide NPS strategy that connected directly to my day-to-day work. 

The combination of practical application, leadership development, and strong peer support gave me the confidence to take the next leap: joining Salesforce in Dublin. Now, I work with German SMBs to drive digital transformation with CRM and automation, and I can clearly see how the GOMBA laid the foundation for every step.” 

– Stefan Dinkel (Germany), from Enterprise Account Manager at cadis® TMS in Munich, Germany to Account Executive at Salesforce in Dublin, Ireland 

Navigating career change amid major life changes 

Maternity leave, a relocation to Germany, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine—these were the realities Yuliia Rastsvietaieva navigated while completing her MBA. The program’s flexibility allowed her to weave study into unpredictable days, deepen her market knowledge, and build the network that would support her transition into consulting. 

“I pursued my MBA at a pivotal moment when I recognized the necessity for change in my career trajectory. The MBA program served as a powerful catalyst for my personal and professional transformation, enabling me to advance my career in the consulting field at Jacobs GmbH after graduation. 

The advantages of the online and flexible structure of the GOMBA program at ESMT allowed me to effectively balance my maternity leave while adapting to life in Germany amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The curriculum was not merely theoretical; it was a comprehensive program enriched with real-world business cases that equipped me to navigate both the German and international markets. This experience facilitated direct connections with professors who are seasoned in developing and implementing innovative business solutions in our VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world.  

Additionally, I had the opportunity to engage openly with my peers about the business challenges we faced, as well as our personal experiences and achievements. I highly recommend the GOMBA program to those seeking new horizons in their careers and the opportunity to build a global network of contacts.” 

– Yuliia Rastsvietaieva (Ukraine), from Environmental Manager at Danone in Kyiv, Ukraine to Environmental Consultant at Jabos in Würzburg, Germany 

Turning expertise into strategic leadership

For Agnaldo J. Nemecek Junior, the Global Online MBA was the lever that transformed more than a decade in audit and risk management into a strategic leadership role. With new frameworks and tools, he moved from reviewing systems to designing them, stepping into Siemens Energy’s wind power division to shape operational strategy. 

Agnaldo J. Nemecek Junior (left) at the Global Experience Week in July 2024

“The MBA program was truly a transformative journey for me. With a background in accounting and more than a decade of experience in internal audit and risk management, starting at PwC and later taking on roles at Delivery Hero in Berlin and a Carnival Corporation in Italy, I felt it was time for the next big step. 

After years of developing internal controls and audit functions, I realized I wanted to broaden my impact and move into a more strategic role. That’s when the MBA became the natural next move. It gave me the chance to reflect, reset, and prepare for what came next. Soon after, I transitioned from Italy back to Germany, stepping into a new industry and joining Siemens Energy Wind Power as a senior manager on the operations team, focusing on strategy and future footprint planning.

What made this transition so successful was how the MBA equipped me with the right frameworks, tools, and business knowledge to build on top of my existing career experience. It wasn’t just about theory, it was about applying everything I learned to real challenges. The program gave me the confidence and capability to make a bold move: changing countries, companies, and even the focus of my work. It allowed me to bring together my past experiences with a fresh, strategic mindset, and I’m genuinely grateful for how the MBA opened doors and enabled me to take this major leap forward in my career.”

– Agnaldo J. Nemecek Junior (Brazil), from Risk Advisory & Assurance Manager at Carnival Corporation in Genoa, Italy to Senior Strategy Manager at Siemens Energy in Hamburg, Germany  

Broadening perspective and redefining leadership 

Sometimes the most powerful shift is in perspective. Years in Cairo’s health insurance sector had sharpened Michael Seruig’s technical expertise, but the program reshaped how he approached complex problems, challenged how he saw himself as a leader, and gave him the confidence to take on a new role in a different country. 

“Joining the GOMBA program was like stepping through a door I hadn’t realized was open. Coming from the health insurance industry, my world was structured around compliance, policy nuances, and risk mitigation—solid foundations, but often inward-looking. The program didn’t just teach me to think strategically; it dismantled and rebuilt how I engaged with the world.  

I was nudged out of my comfort zone by classmates from radically different industries, which sparked a new curiosity in global systems and digital business models. It was no longer about optimizing within existing frameworks; it became about designing better ones. 

More profoundly, the GOMBA experience rewired how I saw myself. It forced me to articulate not just what I did, but why I did it—questioning old patterns and assumptions. I went from being a cautious operator to an adaptive thinker, someone unafraid to challenge norms and ask bold questions.  

Whether navigating cross-cultural negotiation sessions or late-night strategy debates, I felt my identity shift from “healthcare specialist” to “global contributor.” That transformation isn’t just professional, it’s personal. The program helped me craft a voice that’s more thoughtful, expansive, and unapologetically authentic.” 

– Michael Seruig (Egypt), from Medical Advisor at Medmark in Cairo, Egypt to Operations Manager at Allianz Partners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

Creating new opportunities from within 

Not every transformation means changing companies. For Shirley Lam, the MBA was a way to strengthen her leadership skills in step with her organization’s evolving needs. The program’s flexibility and practical focus enabled her to apply new approaches immediately, expand her influence, and advance her career—all while staying in a company she valued. 

Shirley Lam (middle, bottom) at the Global Experience Week in July 2024

“The experience with ESMT is truly invaluable. I appreciate its focus on both business and people, particularly in remote work environments, where collaboration is essential and requires significant effort to build cross-cultural and cross-functional connections. 

The GOMBA program stands out for its diverse student cohort, mirroring the dynamics of a global company. The knowledge gained is practical and immediately applicable, reinforcing real-world experiences. Topics such as AI, virtual teams, and agile leadership are thoughtfully addressed, emphasizing how to position yourself effectively and ensure both your voice and those of your team are heard. 

I value the program’s flexibility, which accommodates the schedules of full-time employees, allowing them to balance professional commitments with continuous learning. This has enabled me to demonstrate my dedication to growth and has opened new opportunities within my company.” 

– Shirley Lam (Hong Kong), from Digital Marketing Communications Lead, Neurovascular APAC to Associate Manager, Digital Marketing Communications, APAC, Neurovascular at Stryker (remote) 

ESMT Berlin: Where ambition meets the right environment 

Across industries, countries, and career stages, our alumni prove that transformation doesn’t follow a single path. Some made bold moves into unfamiliar territory, others built on existing strengths, and many started reshaping their careers before they even graduated. 

What unites them is the way they used the Global Online MBA experience—not just as an academic program, but as a launchpad for change. The combination of flexibility, practical application, and a truly global network enabled them to turn aspiration into achievement. And for future students, these stories are a reminder that with the right environment, the career you imagine can become the career you build.