Abdulaziz Alhawas

1. Why did you choose to go back to school for an MBA? And why RSM?

“First of all, I believe education never stops. One of the great things about the company I work for in Saudi Arabia is that they care a lot about developing their employees. They offer scholarships abroad to those who excel in their work. After almost seven years of effort, I was given this golden opportunity, and I didn’t let it slip. I also think it came at the right time, because I had gained enough experience to share and build on with my cohort and developing my leadership skills. All of this is opening new doors for me in terms of career opportunities and higher-level positions.

The Netherlands is one of my favorite countries and I’ve visited it multiple times. The Dutch people are warm and welcoming, and the country is surrounded by beautiful nature. Surprisingly, I enjoy the weather here. Additionally, the high-quality education prompted me to pursue my master’s degree here at RSM, and I feel confident in my decision every day.”

2. How is the International Full-time MBA preparing you to do business in an uncertain world?

“I believe the MBA programme at RSM is truly special in preparing me on every level. The curriculum is diverse and relevant to our real-life challenges, offering different ways of approaching solutions. This is paired with the variety, excellence, and depth of experience of the professors, whom I consider among the best. On top of that, the diverse backgrounds of my classmates make this experience even richer. I’ve never had the chance to be surrounded by so many different cultures and professional experiences. Altogether, this gives me a great opportunity to learn, grow, and better prepare myself for the future.”

3. How would you describe your RSM MBA experience so far?

“My master's experience at RSM has been very rich, combining enjoyment, learning, challenging, and expanding my network. What I really appreciate about RSM is that they always take student feedback seriously. For example, they design the schedule in a way that matches the content and the timing, so students don’t feel overwhelmed with assignments. At the same time, we have enough space to complete tasks properly. In short, I can say the experience is well balanced and ideal for combining both fun and learning.”

4. What has been the biggest adjustment for you, while living in Rotterdam in the Netherlands?

“The travel and visa process turned out to be easier than I expected. The biggest adjustment for me was actually finding good housing, since the options were limited and the prices high. Living in Rotterdam has also shaped my personal growth and perspective on life, as it gave me the chance to experience different cultures, try new things, and explore the Netherlands as well as nearby countries. This has helped me gain knowledge and broaden my horizons. While I’d love to stay in Rotterdam long term, I’ll eventually need to return home for work.”

5. What has been the most challenging assignment or course during the FTMBA so far? How did it challenge you? 

“All the courses came with their own challenges, but I never felt anything was overwhelming difficult. The reason is that we always worked in teams, and I was fortunate to be part of outstanding groups every time. My teammates were always eager to share ideas, exchange opinions, and push together toward completing our tasks. On top of that, the professors were incredibly supportive and quick to respond whenever we needed clarification. This strong sense of collaboration and support turned every challenge into an opportunity to grow and succeed.”

6. In what way has the Personal Leadership Development (PLD) component of the programme affected you?

“Since the start of the PLD, I’ve developed two new habits: daily planning and prioritisation, and proactive networking. Planning and prioritisation have helped me improve time management, stay organised, and reduce stress from exams and assignments all of which are essential for effective leadership. Proactive networking, on the other hand, has allowed me to build meaningful relationships within my cohort, learn from diverse perspectives, and open opportunities for collaboration. Together, these habits are shaping me into a more effective leader by strengthening my strategic thinking and execution.”

7. How are you planning to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through business?

“My TCM project focuses on enhancing energy efficiency in the Saudi cement industry to align with the Saudi Green Initiative and its target of net zero by 2060. Building on my company’s role in supporting industrial projects in Saudi Arabia, I believe I can propose ideas to management that would help improve energy efficiency in the cement sector. This is especially important since it is one of the highest electricity-consuming industries in the Kingdom and is responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions.”

8. How have you utilised the alumni network so far?

“I’ve benefited a lot from it. Right after being accepted at RSM, I reached out to some alumni on LinkedIn to ask about their experiences and advice. I also made good use of the RSM MentorMe platform to complete certain assignments, but honestly, I connected with mentors not only for that purpose but also to expand my network. The platform gives access to many experienced alumni who are working in places where I aspire to be one day.”

9. How has the Career Development Team helped you on your journey?

“Maybe because I already have a job after the MBA, I didn’t take full advantage of all the courses offered by career center. However, I did benefit a lot from the LinkedIn profile development workshop and the CV improvement workshop. Thanks to these sessions, I discovered many things in my CV that I needed to adjust and improve."

10. What advice could you give to people who are considering doing an MBA?

“My advice is that before considering an MBA, you should have at least five years of work experience. This way, you’ll have enough practical knowledge to enrich the learning experience for yourself and for others in the programme. It also helps you clearly identify the areas you need to develop in order to grow in your role or advance to higher positions.”

11. Has your MBA journey changed your outlook on what your career might look like after you graduate? If so, how?

“Yes. Even though my MBA journey is still ongoing, it has already started to shift my outlook. I entered the programme wanting to move from a finance focused role toward strategic work and business development, and this goal has become clearer as I progress through the MBA.”

12. What does the future hold for you?

“The future is full of opportunities and challenges, especially in my home country. However, with my previous experience and academic qualifications such as the MBA, I believe my chances are much stronger to receive more and better offers, as well as higher-level positions.”