– Definitely boosted my career

– Everything I hoped and believed I would get from the Executive MBA programme has happened. It has more than met my expectations, says Lucy Jakupi-Haugen.

The Norwegian branch of the international IT company, Cognizant, is located in Lysaker Park in Bærum. Its aim is to assist other companies and businesses with modernisation – so there is no reason to lag behind in technological advancements.

– We constantly need to enhance our skills and stay up to date on trends, says the Global Director for Mergers and Acquisitions at Cognizant and former Executive MBA student.

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Renowned Executive MBA degree or study programme

Continuing education at BI was crucial for Jakupi-Haugen’s career. It was not the job with Cognizant that led her to Norway, but love. As she has a Norwegian husband, it was natural to make the move to Norway, closer to his family.

– I had a good career in Canada, where I worked in the HR department for a consultancy company for engineers and lectured at Ryerson University. However, when I moved to Norway, I felt the need to start afresh.

She wanted to further her education at a school that was renowned not only in Norway, but internationally as well.

Risen through the ranks

Jakupi-Haugen hoped that the renowned leadership programme at BI Norwegian Business School would give her career a boost. And it did. Immediately after starting her studies in 2017, she landed a position with Cognizant.

– When I got the job at Cognizant, the recruiter was impressed that I had started a degree programme at BI, as this is a highly reputable programme among executives, says Jakupi-Haugen.

After completing her studies in 2018, she rose through the ranks at Cognizant.

– Executive MBA studies have definitely given my career a boost. I rose quickly from a leadership role in Norway to a position with responsibilities for the Nordic and Baltic regions.

She is now the Global Director for Mergers and Acquisitions.

– We had a separate course on this area in the programme, so this helped me get the position, she explains.

Excellent opportunity 

Another reason she chose to go back to school was her interest in a business specialisation.

– I wanted to develop expertise in the business side of HR. I also wanted to build my career and try new things. The Executive MBA programme at BI was therefore an excellent opportunity in every respect. Becoming part of a community here in Norway was important to me.

Must practise what I teach

She says that her education from BI Executive has enabled her to manage daily challenges, especially in terms of strategy and innovation. Jakupi-Haugen believes that continued education as an adult is the key to a successful career, in addition to inquisitiveness and the willingness to learn.

– I encourage the teams at Cognizant to stay on top of all advancements and to continue to develop themselves. And of course, I have to practise what I teach, so this applies to me as well!