Case study
Micro Work Experience program with MBA students from Kazakh British Technical University
Online
PARTNER: Kazakh-British Technical University
DATE: May 2023
Who is the client?
The Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) is a university located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which provides degree programs in science, engineering, and business at both undergraduate and graduate levels. This initiative is supported by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As part of this program, During the period 2022-2025, KBTU is training a total of 50 women from Afghanistan in the fields of agriculture, finance/statistics, and mining, through bachelor’s, master’s, and TVET programs. The project runs under a €2 million grant provided by the European Union (EU) to support Afghan women in their strive for higher education.
Overview
Nexgen Careers, an organisation committed to empowering young professionals with essential skills and experiences, joined forces with Play The Game Agency to host a transformative 5-week online micro work experience program. The program aimed to provide 15 MBA students from KBTU with an enriching opportunity to work on a real marketing project for a client of Play The Game Agency’s, an active player in the gaming and digital products industry. The students’ task was to develop powerful storytelling strategies specifically targeting the female market, an essential but often underserved segment in the gaming industry.
Questions
The challenge presented by the client was to provide international work experience to their sports students. With that challenge in mind, the project sought to answer these questions:
How can MBA students effectively apply their marketing skills in a real-world setting to address industry challenges?
What transferable skills can the students develop through this program to make them more attractive to potential employers?
How will the students benefit from working with an international client, improving their remote working and cross-cultural communication skills, and becoming better prepared for a global workforce?
The Program
The 5-week micro work experience program was meticulously designed to immerse the MBA students in a real marketing project. They were divided into teams and assigned the challenging task of crafting storytelling strategies tailored to the female gaming audience. Leveraging their marketing skills and creativity, the students were required to analyse market trends, understand consumer behaviour, and develop innovative solutions that could resonate with the target audience.
The program was conducted entirely online, ensuring the students could collaborate effectively despite being located in different places. Utilising digital tools and virtual communication platforms, they worked together seamlessly to achieve their common goals.
Throughout the program, the students received mentorship and guidance from the Nexgen team. This interaction allowed them to receive constructive feedback on their ideas and solutions, and support their work process. By addressing real challenges faced by the gaming industry, the students had the unique opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice, preparing them for future professional endeavours.
Outcomes
The micro work experience program delivered significant outcomes for the participating MBA students, as well as Play The Game Agency and Nexgen Careers:
- Development of Transferable Skills: By actively engaging in this program, the students acquired crucial transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Collaborating in diverse teams provided them with a firsthand understanding of group dynamics and effective team management. These skills are universally sought-after by employers and can be applied across various industries.
- Remote Working and Cross-Cultural Communication: One of the program’s notable features was the collaboration with Play The Game Agency’s Spain-based client. Working across borders, the students honed their remote working skills and learned to navigate the challenges of cross-cultural communication. This experience equipped them with the ability to work effectively in virtual environments, a skill increasingly relevant in today’s interconnected global workplace.
- Enhanced Career Prospects: Participation in the program provided the students with a tangible and impactful project to add to their digital portfolios. These completed projects served as powerful demonstrations of their capabilities and potential to prospective employers. The practical experience gained through this program set them apart and significantly boosted their employability in the competitive job market.
- Play The Game Agency’s client gained insights from female MBA students who provided valuable insights to penetrate the female market of gaming and digital products.
- Nexgen’s team got the opportunity to further develop the relationship with KBTU, as well as design and deliver a customised work experience program based on the background of the participants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 5-week online micro work experience program, hosted by Nexgen Careers in collaboration with Play The Game Agency, proved to be an immensely valuable and transformative experience for the MBA students of KBTU. By working on a real marketing project for a gaming industry client, the students were able to apply their marketing skills and develop essential transferable skills necessary for a successful career.
The program’s emphasis on real-world application, remote collaboration, and cross-cultural communication ensured that the students were well-prepared to excel in the evolving global workforce. As KBTU continues to invest in experiential learning opportunities with the support of Nexgen Careers, the impact on the students’ lives and career trajectories remains significant. We extend our gratitude to the committed students, Play The Game Agency, and KBTU for their unwavering support and belief in the value of practical learning. Together, we are nurturing a generation of skilled and capable marketing professionals who will shape the future of the industry.
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