MBA is My Academic Validation – but Also a Personal Upgrade
“Don’t overthink it—if you’re considering enrolling in an MBA, do it as soon as possible. Any delay means you might miss an opportunity. An MBA isn’t just an investment for a higher salary; it’s a chance to learn, grow, and give yourself a new dimension.”
When Mislav Barišić, Sustainability Manager at Pevex, first heard about an MBA, he admits he wasn’t ready. “A colleague who had already completed an MBA invited me to join, but at the time, I was just taking on the role of director at a foreign company, and I wasn’t sure I could balance all my responsibilities. I needed a few more years of maturity – both professionally and personally.”
After five years in a director position, he felt the time was right. “I was at the peak of my career and wanted an environment where I could learn from people smarter than me. That was my key motivation. When you’re the smartest person in the room, it’s time to leave the room.”
Why COTRUGLI?
He didn’t deliberate for long. “Recommendations came from multiple sources, and I had previously negotiated with Henley Business School in Helsinki. However, due to changes in the company, that didn’t materialize. COTRUGLI in Zagreb was a logical and perfect choice.”
Impact on Career – and Life
Although he doesn’t associate the MBA with a specific career leap, Mislav emphasizes that the program gave him much more than just a line on his CV:
“An MBA is an important piece of the mosaic of my life. It’s not just about a career; it’s about personal development. I learned to think critically, question trends, and decisions. What the MBA gave me most was in my approach to people – empathy and understanding. Today, I see employees not just through their professional roles but as people with their own lives, emotions, and challenges.”
Biggest Challenges and Fondest Memories
“Studying while holding a director position and having a family wasn’t easy, but anything is possible when you’re motivated. I remember my female colleagues who gave birth during the program – so how could I say it was hard for me?” he says with a smile.
What stood out to him the most were the financial modules: “After years of managerial experience, finance suddenly ‘clicked’ for me. I realized how important timing and the phase of life you’re in are when entering an MBA.”
However, what he highlights most aren’t just the lectures: “The best memories are the socializing, the camaraderie, and the friendships. We were the last generation before the pandemic; we literally caught the last train. Those are moments I’ll always cherish.”
On Leadership and Dissatisfaction as a Driving Force
Mislav often reflects on the topic of leadership:
“A true leader is someone you’d want to hug even ten years later when you meet them. Someone who leaves a positive mark and makes you a better person. That’s real influence.”
When it comes to his personal career, he admits he doesn’t want to be satisfied:
“Satisfaction belongs in private life. In work, dissatisfaction pushes me forward. If you’re satisfied while the society around you isn’t – that’s selfish. That’s why I believe we need to have a greater impact on society, not just on our companies.”
Advice for Future Candidates
“Don’t overthink it—if you’re considering enrolling in an MBA, do it as soon as possible. Any delay means you might miss an opportunity. An MBA isn’t just an investment for a higher salary; it’s a chance to learn, grow, and give yourself a new dimension.”