Stories of graduates: Helena Urbánková

My name is Helena Urbánková, and I currently work as a Project Manager at IMS Prague. My professional journey has been significantly shaped by international experience. In total, I spent eight years outside the Czech Republic, during which I worked and studied in Denmark, Dubai, and Berlin.

From the age of fifteen, I have been active in the hospitality industry. After graduating from a hotel secondary school, I continued with a bachelor’s degree in International Management in Denmark. It was my time abroad that truly gave me space for professional growth. In Dubai, I gradually progressed from an intern to the position of Event Executive; later, I worked in sales in Berlin. In both of these destinations, I was employed under the Marriott brand. After returning to the Czech Republic, I decided to change direction and move away from the hospitality industry; however, events, sales, and working with people have remained a natural part of my career.

I have been in my current role for a relatively short time, which is precisely why I truly enjoy learning new things and getting to know a new environment, projects, and suppliers. At the same time, I appreciate the opportunity to be back in the Czech Republic. Organization, working with people, and creating meaningful projects have long been key priorities for me. I enjoy moments when we can work together to create something that exceeds expectations as the English phrase goes, “make it beyond expectations”. Building connections is also very important to me, as I believe that personal relationships often open up new opportunities and bring valuable know-how.

In my previous job, I gradually began to feel that I was missing further professional development. Education is important to me, which is why I seriously started considering pursuing an MBA. I had fairly clear criteria. I was looking for a school with a strong reputation, recognition, accreditation, and high-quality graduate references. ESBM appealed to me not only because of its excellent price-to-quality ratio, but also due to the option of self-study and flexible time planning, which was essential for me. Another important factor was studying in English, as I was accustomed to studying and working in this language, and most of my professional terminology is primarily in English.

Pursuing an MBA has provided me not only with new professional knowledge but also with greater discipline and the ability to manage my time effectively. Through the self-study format, I realized that I am capable of taking full responsibility for my education and working on myself systematically. At the same time, I have personally proven that it is possible to study and work simultaneously, as long as one has a clear goal and internal motivation.

I was able to apply the knowledge gained from my studies continuously in practice, particularly during strategic meetings and in better understanding client behavior and thinking. The MBA helped me gain greater insight and a broader managerial perspective. Another significant benefit for me was realizing that I can pursue management in general, not just within a single specific industry.

I regard studying at ESBM as a high-quality and flexible program, ideal for people who want to continue their education while managing their own time. I appreciate the excellent price-to-quality ratio, the school’s strong reputation, and its accreditations, which are still not a given in the Czech context.