Katie Bradfield, Cambridge Judge MBA Class of 2025
Age: 32
Hometown: London
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University College London (UCL), English Literature
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Most recently, I was the Strategic Partnership Success Manager at eduMe, a B2B SaaS platform which allows companies to provide effective training for their frontline workers. I worked there for around 4 years in a number of client-facing roles during a really exciting time for the company as it scaled globally. Before that, my experience was really varied and included stints in marketing, consulting and FMCG.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I have been keen to pursue an MBA for around a decade but decided that now was finally the right time for me personally and professionally. I’m ready to push forward in my career and am looking to gain the skills and confidence that I believe will allow me to lead in the way I feel will offer most value to those around me.
Why did you choose Cambridge Judge? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I wanted to pursue a one-year programme with a strong academic reputation, high-quality teaching, an international and diverse cohort, and access to a burgeoning tech sector. CJBS provides the perfect environment for me to learn from those in my cohort, the faculty, and the businesses in the region.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
The class of 2025 comprises over 50 nationalities and people with a variety of professional backgrounds – this was a huge draw for me as I sought a programme which would offer diverse perspectives. I’m eager to learn from my peers and also believe that I can share experiences and insights which will be of value them.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Last year, I was lucky enough to have the chance to travel coast-to-coast across Costa Rica over a couple of weeks via bike, hiking, kayaking and rafting. It was a great challenge and a lot of fun too.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to alumni and see if CJBS might be a good fit for you in every sense. I was grateful for the conversations I had before I applied, during the application process, before I arrived and ever since. Every conversation I have had with alumni has been helpful.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would plan my application timings a little bit better so that I wasn’t racing to meet the deadlines for a particular round.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT quantitive element was a real challenge for me. I found the other aspects fairly straightforward, given some practice, but didn’t find the quantitive element came naturally – there had also been a huge gap since my last relevant studies! This made the whole test and application process a bit more stressful than it could have been.
What is your initial impression of the Cambridge Judge students/culture/community?
My initial impression of the culture at CJBS is really positive. There is a buzz in the building, and I’ve had the chance to speak to a huge number of people from across my cohort, other CJBS programmes, faculty members, and visiting speakers. I’m looking forward to getting to know the community even better as the year goes on.
What is one thing you have learned about Cambridge Judge that has surprised you?
The enthusiasm, generousity and decency of the alumni – it’s a great reflection on CJBS and its many, varied teaching programmes.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m eager to improve my knowledge of finance, investments, and all the relevant quantitative and analytical skills which accompany that. However, alongside my interest and enthusiasm to learn is a significant amount of anxiety, given my lack of experience. Fundamentally, the desire to ‘skill-up’ in those areas is a huge part of the reason I’m here, so I’m sure the nerves will melt away as we get into the teaching and I begin to relish the challenge.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited about making the most of everything on offer. There is so much going on here and I’m sure the year is going to fly by, so want to make the most of every opportunity I’m given while I’m lucky enough to be studying here. I am absolutely certain that I won’t be bored this year!
