Negar Aram

What is a fun fact or something unexpected about you?

I'm a daredevil, ready to leap from a plane without a second thought, but when it comes to entering a place with even just suspected cockroach presence, I will run away and hide!

Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today both on a professional and personal level?

My personal journey has been shaped by series of unique personal, cultural, and professional experiences. Rooting from Iran but calling the UK my home. At a very young age (16), I moved to the UK alone, overcoming many barriers by myself. 

I have always worked and studied at the same time and my first ever job was at McDonald’s where I worked to be able to buy a laptop to support my studies. I have done civil and structural engineering at the University of Leeds, and once I finished I was quickly employed by SLB (formerly known as Schlumberger). The rest is history.

Venturing beyond the UK, I've had the chance to live and work in places like the Republic of Congo, Brazil, the US, Trinidad & Tobago, Romania, and the UAE. As a field engineer in predominantly male-dominated settings, I've harnessed my knack for offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.

My career path has been quite the journey, spanning from hands-on field engineering to technical roles, diving into the intricacies of commercial strategy, and finally finding myself in business development. 

This dynamic trajectory has equipped me with a well-rounded understanding to bridge the gap between technical and commercial facets.

What led you to decide to pursue an EMBA, and why did you choose INSEAD in particular?

The Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) programme offers the perfect platform to elevate my proficiency and expertise when navigating transitions across industries.

I wanted to gain insights into various other business facets that would not only enrich my knowledge but also address areas where I seek further refinement, contributing to my journey of evolving into an influential leader.

Presently, I am engaged with an energy company championing sustainability and digital innovation. Opting for an Executive MBA programme at INSEAD would broaden my horizons even further, aligning seamlessly with my overarching goals. 

As a strong advocate for the power of data, l would like to gain more hands-on experience in analytics through my electives with INSEAD.

Why INSEAD? I ask why not? For me INSEAD offers a diverse pool of people that delivers a global and dynamic learning experience.  The successful growth of an individual is highly dependent on the environment, and I believe that INSEAD’s global presence is the ‘nurturing soil’ for any strong seed to take root and grow.

Could you describe your experience so far? The classes, the curriculum, your fellow participants, the professors?

In brief, this experience has been immensely stimulating, the sort of intensity that ignites one's curiosity.

What I find most enjoyable are the in-depth class discussions involving both professors and fellow classmates.

These exchanges are a blend of academic excellence and a wealth of practical experience. Additionally, I'm truly impressed by the calibre of the lectures. It's as if I'm immersed in a series of top-notch TED talks on the subject, and I'm a big fan of TED talks.

What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in pursuing an INSEAD programme?

In my case, I tended to overanalyse the entire application process. However, I've learned that it's best to take the leap and trust that things will align. Should any doubts arise before applying, the admissions team is incredibly supportive, offering valuable feedback and guidance on your application. 

So, my advice is to cast aside your fears and welcome the forthcoming changes with open arms.