Jennifer White

I’m a clinical Director of a small animal hospital and currently lead a team of 24 people. My first degree was in physiotherapy, followed by Vet School in Edinburgh and I’ve been a vet for nine years. The first four of these years were spent in mixed practice before moving to small animals, in order to undertake the role of Clinical lead.

I have always been interested in the business aspect of Veterinary Medicine as well as the clinical side and I felt an MBA would help to broaden my options for the future, in addition to allowing me to compete for roles against those who have a business-based background.

“The location and facilities at Horsley appealed to me and I wanted to study at the weekends as weekdays would have proved tricky to attend lectures due to working long hours in the practice. I also felt encouraged at the bursary offered to some students which I was lucky enough to receive.”

I have loved the course and feel I have learnt so much; the ability to mix with students who work in a multitude of settings has been so beneficial, the lectures have been stimulating and class discussion has been rich, enlightening and memorable.

Group work projects have certainly provided a real insight into my style of working and peer feedback means I am now much more self-aware. The Strategy, Leadership and Entrepreneurship modules have been personal highlights and I feel these will be useful moving forwards.

I’ve just really enjoyed the people aspect and working and learning from my cohort. I was voted to be course rep by my peers and I was also fortunate enough that a group I worked with during the Strategy module were open to looking specifically at my current business which helped me to progress ideas at work.

“There were times I felt behind, times I felt ahead but I tried not to put too much pressure on myself; balancing a full-time leadership role and completing an MBA is a real achievement - one that is possible for most people if the desire is there.”

Find out more about our full-time and executive (part-time) Surrey MBA.