UL MBA alumni feature
Peader Forbes
- Current role
- Marketing & Applications Director, Analog Devices
- Sector
- Semiconductors
- Home region
- Limerick, Ireland
- Undergraduate education
- Microelectronic Engineering, UCC
- Previous experience
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- Wireless Architect, Analog Devices
The MBA has opened doors for me, and my career has accelerated faster than I could have imagined
I had been working in Analog Devices for close to 10 years when I decided to pursue an MBA. Although I loved the work I was doing as a Wireless Architect which was a deep technical engineering role, I had a keen interesting in marketing, strategy and in leading a team. I wanted a seat at the strategy table and wanted to advance my career in that direction while keeping one foot in the technical realm.
I knew it would be difficult to move upward, particularly into a new field, but I was motivated to try something different and advance my career.
After speaking with my supervisor about these goals they suggested undertaking an MBA programme to gain the leadership skills and breadth of knowledge required for a senior role. Many leaders at Analog had completed an MBA before progressing into leadership roles, as the company is keen to facilitate educating and promoting technical staff to senior positions. This was the perfect opportunity to gain the skills that I required, and I knew that it would open all the right doors for me.