The MBA That Changed Me, Not Just My Career
“You need to know what you want and whether you’re ready to invest the time and effort. COTRUGLI requires group work and active participation. If you’re not ready to share knowledge and engage, you won’t get the most out of it.”
For Nataša, the COTRUGLI MBA was a turning point – both professionally and personally. “At the beginning, COTRUGLI gave my career the right boost. My goal was to learn the aspects of business I was lacking and that were holding me back from advancing, such as finance. And that goal was achieved.” Although she was already a marketing director, she felt she lacked the true status and responsibility of a director-level role. “I hoped COTRUGLI would help me reach that level—and that’s exactly what happened. Beyond that, I started exploring my own desires, my lifestyle, and how my professional life fits into it.”
A Turning Point That Opened New Doors
She particularly remembers the lectures on personal development and business communication. “Professor Marijo Bos and Mike George left a deep impression on me, as did Professor Esteban Brenes. Those three courses had the greatest impact on me.” The change came gradually: after completing her MBA, she left the corporate world and ventured into private business, focusing her plans on developing people. “I feel like I’ve come full circle.”
From Corporate to Entrepreneurship
Her decision to enroll at COTRUGLI was based on a careful analysis of pros and cons. “I had a young child, my husband took on part of the load, and the lectures were held on weekends and close to home. That allowed me to balance family, work, and school. The course offerings and the quality of the professors were also very important.”
What she valued most about the MBA was the people. “The greatest asset is the network and relationships. I stayed closest with my teammates from the final project, and even after ten years, we’re still in touch.”
Balancing responsibilities was challenging but manageable. “The key is honesty and support from family, colleagues, and employees. It was interesting to see how some of my team members at work grew and took on more responsibilities because I gave them the space to develop.”
The MBA encouraged her to leave the corporate world and start her own business. “Before the MBA, I never even considered entrepreneurship. But through the experience and the support of my husband, who was already an entrepreneur, I realized that was the direction I wanted to take.”
A New Leadership Style and Lessons That Last
The MBA also changed her leadership style. “Today, I make decisions differently, and I lead my team with more empathy and openness.” However, she doesn’t rule out returning to the corporate world. “I would never say never, but for now, I want to create something of my own. The problem is that in Croatia, corporations discriminate based on age, especially against women, and that’s a significant barrier.”
At the start of her career, her first boss, a psychologist by profession, was instrumental. “He showed me how psychology can be applied in marketing, and that shaped my entire career. Thanks to him, psychology became both a passion and a tool in my work.”
To young professionals just starting, she offers simple advice: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, express your opinion, or challenge the status quo. The worst thing that can happen is realizing you’re not in the right place. And that’s a lesson in itself.”
For her, a successful leader is someone who knows how to listen to themselves and others, is empathetic, and communicates openly. “It’s important to maintain relationships through alumni events, conferences, and gatherings. That’s the oil that keeps the engine of your career running.”
To those considering an MBA, she says: “You need to know what you want and whether you’re ready to invest the time and effort. COTRUGLI requires group work and active participation. If you’re not ready to share knowledge and engage, you won’t get the most out of it.”