The time is literally breezing by, because how are we already at the halfway point of the second (2 of 4) semester of our Broad MBA studies?
Photos by my classmate Hongyu Dai
As I sit here reflecting on the past two months, I can’t help but marvel at how quickly time is flying. It feels like just yesterday that we started this semester, yet we’ve already wrapped up key courses—including today’s final presentations for our ‘Designing and Delivering Impactful Business Presentations’ course.
For this final project, my team and I tackled an analysis of whether OpenAI should go for an IPO, given its transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit company. While I won’t bore you with the nitty-gritty details of our case, this experience got me thinking about something far more foundational: the value of teamwork in academic programs and professional development.
Why Team-Based Learning?
By Nthanda Manduwi – Economist, Policy Analyst, and Development Advocate
One of the defining features of the Broad MBA program is its emphasis on teamwork. Nearly every course is structured around collaborative projects, designed to simulate the realities of the corporate world. Navigating different personalities, work styles, and motivations isn’t just about completing assignments—it’s a crash course in leadership, adaptability, and conflict resolution.
When I first heard about this approach as I was exploring various MBA programs to apply to, I was quite anxious, as I have never quite considered myself the excellent team player, and I was not most sure how the journey would go. My professional experience as an international civil servant and as an entrepreneur has been very warped. I have either been the absolute boss (entrepreneur), or the most junior professional (UN). I have never before now had to navigate an ecosystem of peers who are quite at my exact level.
In the first semester, I had a different team, and in this semester, I got a new team. I wish I’d say it has all been a breeze, but it has not. I made some of the best friends in the process, but I also lost some along the way. To this day, one of our former colleagues still does not speak to a few of us that were on a team with him last semester, following a disagreement we had on an assignment (yes, that bad).
Still, I’d like to to believe we have all grown, and we have had a lot to learn. I speak from personal experience: through these team projects, I’ve grown tremendously as a manager—learning how to balance differing perspectives, resolve conflicts, and harness each team member’s strengths toward a shared goal. In many ways, this structure doesn’t just prepare us for business decision-making; it prepares us for the reality of leading teams in high-stakes environments. I believe it was necessary we all grow in these ways.
Bridging Academia and Industry Through Capstone Projects
Beyond the MBA, I’ve had the privilege of working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) with the College of Engineering, where I manage students through their team-based capstone projects. The experience has only reinforced my belief in the power of hands-on, collaborative learning.
Capstone projects are the perfect bridge between academic theory and real-world application. They challenge students to apply their knowledge to solve real problems, pushing them to think critically, work under pressure, and deliver tangible results—skills that are indispensable in today’s workforce.
Real-World Impact
As I count down to my internship with Microsoft’s Xbox team this summer, I find myself reflecting on how invaluable this experience has been. The past few months of engaging with Xbox’s directors and managers have been a masterclass in business operations, leadership, and strategic decision-making—and I can’t think of a better way to prepare for this next chapter (truly grateful to the Xbox team for this).
Interestingly, our OpenAI IPO analysis also allowed me to see the other side of Microsoft’s investment strategy, reinforcing the interconnectedness of finance, technology, and corporate strategy.
Rethinking Education for the Future
Incorporating team-based learning and capstone projects into degree programs isn’t just about checking an academic requirement—it’s about preparing students for the complexities of the real world. I’d personally advocate for that more universities should consider making this an integral part of their curriculum, ensuring that graduates don’t just leave with knowledge but with practical experience in collaboration, leadership, and strategic execution.
For me, this journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I can confidently say that my ability to think critically, work with diverse teams, and manage real-world projects has been shaped by these experiences.
With academic and corporate care,
Ntha
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