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Ryan Krein

Profession
Master of Business Administration alum
College
Central Saint Martins
Person Type
Alumni
Ryan Krein

Biography

Ryan Krein is from Johannesburg, South Africa and graduated from Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Interview

Why did you choose to study the MBA at Central Saint Martins Birkbeck?

Intelligent systems and machines continue to redefine the world in which we live and work.  This requires ever changing and new skill sets.  At the same time, the political influences always at play mean that we live in uncertain times.

Based on past experience, I see it as my duty to future proof myself.  I believed (and still do) that the practical, strategic and creative thinking skills developed through the course of an MBA would serve me well, whether these skills are set to the task of growing the family business, or in a new and unrelated venture.

After researching the MBA market, the CSM Birkbeck MBA was the only programme that resonated deeply with me.  It appeared to be truly the only MBA in the market that both offers and delivers a multi-disciplinary methodology.  The “human” skills covered in the programme are of great importance to me and made this MBA programme by far the most attractive in the market.

What was the interesting project you’ve worked on?

That is a difficult question to answer.  All of the projects that I worked on piqued different areas of interest and allowed for the acquisition of new learnings and skills.

In fact, upon reflection, one of the most personally challenging projects resulted in the greatest learnings for me and provided me with the opportunity to write a really interesting, reflective paper.  Many of the projects pushed me outside of my comfort zone and required me to think critically and creatively.  They also provided the  opportunity to work in diverse teams, master new technologies, and delve into unfamiliar subject matter, I was constantly expanding my knowledge and acquiring new skills. The opportunity to grow both professionally and personally was truly remarkable.

What have you gone on to do since graduating?

In addition to continuing my role within our family business, I partnered with a small team to co-found a socially minded B4B business through which we are working to address an issue that has long plagued the fashion industry, namely the exploitation and vulnerability of workers in the supply chain.

What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?

What you get out of the course will be directly proportional to what you put in.  Keep an open mind and be brave in exploring the opportunities and challenges presented to you.

What has been the highlight of your experience on the course?

Despite the fact that we had to transition from a hybrid, but mostly in-person, experience to a fully online experience part of the way through the course, the network that I was able to build and the friends I made are truly invaluable.

What are your career aspirations?

I love what I do, and I hope to be able to continue doing this for as long as possible. I hope to take the businesses that I am involved in to the greatest heights possible.

What is the most important thing you learnt on the course?

Throughout the course, amidst the plethora of knowledge and insights I acquired, I must say that the most profound and invaluable lesson I garnered was a more profound understanding of myself. While the course undoubtedly provided me with a wealth of subject-specific information, it was in the journey of self-discovery that I found the greatest significance.

Engaging in a process of self-reflection, introspection, and exploration, I embarked upon a transformative odyssey that revealed to me the depths of my own character, capabilities, and aspirations. Through the various challenges and opportunities presented in the course, I was prompted to confront my strengths and weaknesses, confront my limitations, and embrace my true potential.

Links

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Central Saint Martins

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 7444

Address

1 Granary Square
King's Cross
London
N1C 4AA