A sneak peek in the life of Master in Management alumna Aylin Nazlı Kalkan

Why did you decide to pursue a Master in Management in general?
To be honest, in my home country, I feel that students are not always guided toward what they truly want, but rather toward what their exam results allow them to pursue. That was my path with engineering, but over time, I started to question whether that path really reflected what interested me most. I realised I was drawn to the business side of organisations, and stepping outside of the purely technical perspective. I felt that if I could combine engineering with management, I would be much better prepared for the kind of career I wanted.

Why did you choose Maastricht School of Management?
One of the main reasons I chose MSM was that it gave me the opportunity to pursue a management degree without having a management background, which many other universities are quite strict about. For me, that flexibility mattered a lot, because I was looking for a real chance to change my career path. Another important factor was the scholarship opportunities, which helped a lot in making this decision possible for me. Studying abroad is a big step both personally and financially, so having that kind of support made a real difference.

I was also attracted by its international environment. I liked the idea of being in a classroom with people from different countries, cultures and academic backgrounds. I felt that this kind of environment would teach me a lot, not only academically, but also personally. Another reason was that the programme felt practical. I wanted something that would help me understand real companies, real challenges and real decision making.

How do you look back at your time at MSM?
I look back at my time at MSM as a very good and very intense year in the best possible way. There was always something to do, something to prepare for, somewhere to be, or someone to meet. That is also why it feels like such a meaningful period to me. It was not only academically busy, but also personally transformative.

Moving to another country, adapting to a new system and building a life in a new place taught me a lot about myself. It made me more independent, more open-minded and more confident and I think I grew a lot during the year.

What were some of your fondest memories from your time at MSM?
What I remember most is the friendships and the feeling of being surrounded by people who all came from different places but were sharing the same experience. I also have very warm memories of Maastricht itself. It is such a charming city and studying here made the whole experience even more special. The Tapijn campus was such a peaceful and unique environment, with deer, birds, ducks and even a small river flowing through the area.

I also really enjoyed the social and cultural events organised by MSM, such as the international dinner and alumni events. The international dinner was memorable because everyone brought something from their own culture and it was such a warm and fun way to see how diverse our class was. Another memory that stands out is the teambuilding activities we did outdoors at the end of our second week. I think that was a very nice way to start the programme, because it helped us get to know each other better very early on.

Moments like these made MSM feel like much more than just an academic experience.

How did you experience studying abroad?
Studying abroad was one of the most important experiences of my life. At the beginning of the year, MSM showed us a graph about cultural adjustment, and I think that it was actually a very accurate reflection of the first year abroad. There are definitely ups and downs, but as a student you go through them with a sense of excitement and curiosity, which makes the experience feel lighter.

Image source here. 

Can you tell something about your career path? 
My current role actually started through MSM. During my master’s, the founder of ETB Global, Noah Hirsch, came to MSM to introduce the company and share what they were working on. At that time, he was also looking for interns. I applied and fortunately I got the opportunity to join the company as an intern. After six months of internship, I transitioned into a full-time role, which was a very meaningful step for me because it felt like a natural continuation of everything I had been learning.

Today, I work as a Junior Chemical Engineer at ETB Global, but because it is a startup, my role is much broader than just engineering. In a startup environment, you do not only stay within one job title or one narrow responsibility. Of course, I work on technical topics such as experiments, process development, data analysis and supporting pilot operations, but at the same time I also take part in procurement, coordination, planning, documentation, communication and many day-to-day tasks. That is something I actually value a lot, because it  teaches you to take ownership, adapt fast and learn beyond your formal role.

How do you feel your Master in Management at MSM has helped you prepare for your career?
It helped me in many ways. First of all, I learned a lot from the courses themselves. The master gave me a completely different perspective and helped me understand how businesses work beyond the technical side. I learned about strategy, organisations, teamwork and decision-making. Even in my current technical role, you are never working in isolation, and you need to communicate clearly, understand priorities, collaborate with others, and sometimes make decisions with limited information.

I also see the master’s as an important transition period between my home country and the Netherlands. If I had come here directly for a job, I honestly think adapting would have been much more difficult. So in a way, MSM not only prepared me for work, but also helped me adapt personally and build a life here more smoothly.

Studying first gave me time to understand the culture, communication style, and way of life here.

Are there any specific skills or lessons learned during your time as a student that you find particularly valuable in your professional or personal life?
Yes, definitely. When it comes to soft skills and understanding myself better, PDP (Personal Development Portfolio) helped me a lot. Exercises, such as doing the MBTI test again, made me reflect a lot on how I had changed over time. Another thing I learned was about my communication and learning style. I found out that I am a “digital” communicator, meaning I naturally think in a very structured and analytical way. I started paying more attention to how other people think and communicate. I learned that it is not enough to be right or clear in your own way, you also need to adapt to others so that your message is actually understood. I think that kind of self-awareness is very valuable, because in professional life it is not only important to know your job, but also to know yourself, how you communicate, and how you work with others.

How did the Career and Personal Development Track (CPDT) contribute to your development, both personally and professionally?
In the first half of the year, we focused more on building core skills. We had workshops on presentation skills, improvisation, stress and time management and personal branding. These were very useful, especially in the beginning when everything was new. At the same time, we also worked on CV writing and motivation letters, which helped me better understand how to present myself professionally. In the second half of the year, the focus shifted more towards career preparation. We had sessions on career planning, job searching, interview techniques, networking and LinkedIn skills. I think this part was valuable because it made the transition from student to professional life. Events like Corporate Week and alumni sessions also gave us the chance to connect with companies. Overall, I think CPDT helped me become more aware of how to present myself, how to approach my career, and how to prepare for real job opportunities.

What (career) advice would you give current or future Master in Management students?
One piece of advice I would give is: do not stress too much about finding a job immediately after graduation. It is very easy to compare yourself to others or feel pressure when some people seem to find something quickly, but in my opinion the important thing is not finding a job fast, it is finding the right one for you. Accept a role that you genuinely want and can see yourself growing in.

I would also say that studying abroad and working abroad are two different experiences. Studying abroad was a very enjoyable introduction for me, but adapting through work is more complex and takes longer. Starting a job in a new country brings another layer of adjustment, and I do not think it ends as quickly as people expect. Personally, I think that after around two years in the Netherlands, most people start to feel much more settled. So my advice would be to be patient with yourself, both in your job search and in your adjustment process. Also I would say stay open, stay curious and do not limit yourself.

Anything else you would like to share?
If I look back now, I think the most valuable part of the experience was not only what I achieved, but how I changed during that time. Moving to a new country, studying in an international environment and trying to figure out your future at the same time is not always easy, but it teaches you a lot. For me, MSM was a period where many things were not fully clear yet, but that was actually part of its value. It gave me the space to explore, to question what I want and to grow into the next stage of my life.

*The content of this blog reflects the personal experiences of the alumni and is not affiliated with ETB Global. 

Do you also want to join the Master in Management and develop your management skills in a diverse, international and multicultural environment? 
Click here for more information about the programme, the curriculum, the available scholarships and the admission requirements. You can also chat with current students and alumni and get first-hand insights in how they have experienced the programme. The next intake will start in September 2026. Or get in touch with Gianluca Martinelli at gianluca.martinelli@maastrichtuniversity.nl if you have any further questions.