Susanna Capaccio MBA (2019)

Shore Excursions Product Manager, Silversea Cruises

The MBA course allowed me to develop critical thinking and self-reflection skills.

Why did you choose to come and study at Southampton?

Having spent the previous decade working on Carnival UK cruise vessels, I was very familiar with the city. I chose the University of Southampton because of its reputation and international qualifications.

What were your highlights at Southampton?

I loved being part of a large university community, the campus full of green spaces and the opportunities provided by the UK (including the ease of finding part time jobs and limited bureaucracy in renting, opening a bank account, accessing the NHS, voting).

The highlight was, however, the MBA course itself - so intense and full of different kinds of experiences (workshops, days out, business trips, role-plays, discussions).

What did you enjoy most about the Southampton MBA?

I enjoyed being a small group, which allowed for interaction during the lectures. I loved that the course was very practise-oriented and good prep for the real business world. There were great lecturers from various backgrounds, with lots of different teaching styles. Highlights were the business trips to Maastricht and Brazil.

What have been the highlights of your career to date?

My career has revolved around the cruise industry. Before the MBA, I was working as a hotel officer on board cruise vessels. After the MBA, I immediately found a more strategic land-based position for a competitor company.

How did your time at Southampton help you to grow as a person and develop your career?

The MBA course allowed me to develop critical thinking and self-reflection skills. I am now a lot more confident on both a professional and personal level, with increased awareness of my strengths and weaknesses. The variety of topics covered in the programme gave me a general understanding of the business language spoken in every company and stimulated my appetite for further career development.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to study the Southampton MBA programme?

Make the most of every activity, take part in discussions and workshops, use the facilities, like the library and career centre, and spend time with people from different cultures.