Refer China: My business dream & passion for education I Kate Hill, MBA 2026

An MBA Class of 2026 student ambassador reflects on her journey in the education industry and MBA experience at CEIBS.

Education requires passion, but it also needs a business mindset. From being an instructional coach to pursuing an MBA at CEIBS, my goal is not just to participate in education but to transform it.

If you're passionate about education or interested in the lifestyles and cultures of China and the US, feel free to reach out! Whether it's sharing insights from my studies or exploring future collaboration opportunities, I'm eager to connect and look forward to sparking more ideas together.

Kathryn (Kate) Hill

MBA Class of 2026

CEIBS MBA Student Ambassador

USA

The path of education and business

Education is a universal human right, and a right I have always felt compelled to help make accessible, effective, and transformative. This drive led me into the education field, where I witnessed first-hand the systemic issues that many schools face, including issues that limit the potential of both educators and students. I realised that to create lasting change in education, I would need to develop a deep understanding of business management, strategy, and leadership.

My decision to pursue a career in education stemmed from a simple yet powerful belief: education is one of the most effective ways to create positive change in society. I earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Technology, which provided me with a foundation for using technology to enhance teaching and learning. As an instructional coach, I gained skills in mentoring educators and helping them improve their teaching practices. These qualifications set the stage for my career, allowing me to work closely with teachers, students, and school administrators to foster educational advancement.

The role of business thinking in education

While I am excited about the intrinsic rewards of this work, I was soon confronted with the harsh realities facing many schools, particularly those with limited resources. Teacher burnout is widespread, exacerbated by a lack of basic employment support due to budget constraints. Schools struggle to retain talented teachers, who often feel overburdened and undervalued. Additionally, administrators frequently promote excellent teachers to leadership roles without providing necessary business training, leading to ineffective management that compounds the challenges schools face.

During my time at a school lacking sustainable business practices and adequate leadership, I developed a desire to tackle these systemic challenges. I started brainstorming career paths that would allow for the improvement of educational outcomes by supporting both individual educators and school leadership teams. I ultimately envisioned a two-part career path: first, to create a consultancy focused on empowering educators and busy professionals to manage their financial, physical, and mental well-being through personalised resources and AI technology; second, to expand this business to provide instructional coaching and management training for schools, helping them build effective management structures and support teachers' professional development.

Why choose the CEIBS MBA?

As I mapped out my goals, it became evident that while I had a strong foundation in educational theory and instructional coaching, I lacked the business knowledge needed to launch and scale a successful business. If I wanted to make a meaningful impact, I would need to gain expertise in areas such as finance, marketing, organizational behavior and strategy. Earning an MBA was the logical next step, allowing me to build these skills and apply them directly to my goals in the education sector.

When researching MBA programmes, I knew I wanted a school that would not only provide a rigorous business education but also align with my experience in China. After spending a decade in the country and becoming fluent in Mandarin Chinese, I have developed a deep understanding of its culture, challenges, and unique educational landscape. I was aiming to start my business in China, where the demand for innovative solutions in education management is rapidly growing. After careful consideration, I decided that CEIBS would be the best fit for me. Its reputation as the top business school in Asia, combined with its emphasis on "China Depth, Global Breadth," offered the ideal environment to bridge my knowledge of the Chinese market with global business insights.

CEIBS also fit well with my personal life. My husband and I had already established a life in Shanghai, and the school's location allowed us to maintain our routine while also enabling him to continue his career. We both enjoy the city's vibrant, international community, and our dog-friendly compound has truly made Shanghai feel like home. The flexibility of studying at CEIBS while living off-campus allows me to make the most of my time in the programme without compromising on the personal aspects that matter to me, such as ensuring I have a safe environment for my daily morning run in a city familiar to me.

My CEIBS MBA experience

My time at CEIBS so far has generally been a positive experience. From the very beginning, I felt comfortable adapting to the programme and the school environment. Having lived in China for most of my adult life, I was already familiar with the culture and was already quite accustomed to life in Shanghai. However, the MBA journey itself presented new challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow in unexpected ways.

One of the most exciting aspects of the programme has been the opportunity to participate in the A (S) CEIBS Gobi Challenge Team. Initially, I was quite nervous about participating as the only MBA student and international participant, but my teammates, alumni and current students of other CEIBS programmes, instantly welcomed me into their running community and have been incredibly supportive of helping me reenter the sport competitively after years of taking a break from competition to focus on my professional pursuits. So far, one of the highlights for me has been the Sheshan weekend training camp, where I was able to meet and run with members of the other CEIBS teams and strengthen my connections with my teammates.

Academically, I have enjoyed my courses and feel that I have gained a wealth of knowledge I didn't know was possible to obtain in such a short period of time. I especially enjoyed the practice of learning through case studies, as this practice is not only effective in teaching foundational concepts and key issues in business but also introduces us to new insights into both China and the world's most well-known businesses.

Additionally, the faculty has excelled not only in teaching the course material but also in guiding us to apply the content to real-world business situations and our broader understanding of the world. More importantly, our professors genuinely care about us and strive to get to know us. Whether on academic questions or life advice, they are always willing to help. Many professors have provided me with unwavering support not just in helping me master advanced concepts, but also in helping me navigate my future career path.

Challenges and career reflections

Despite the many positives, my journey at CEIBS has not been without its challenges. One of the most difficult aspects has been defining my post-MBA path as a foreigner in China. While I originally envisioned launching my business in China, I've come to realise that there are significant hurdles to starting a business as an international professional here. From regulatory barriers to market entry challenges, the road to entrepreneurship in China is not as straightforward as I had initially anticipated.

However, I am grateful for the support I've received so far from the CEIBS career office. My assigned advisor, Lynn Qian, has been understanding and supportive of my decision to keep an open mind about my post-graduation options, whether in China or abroad. She has provided guidance on exploring alternative career paths and have encouraged me to remain open to new opportunities. This support is helping me to remain optimistic and adaptable as I learn how to better apply my past experience and the knowledge gained from pursuing an MBA to a variety of settings and possible career paths.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, I realise that my post-CEIBS plans are evolving continuously, and I am more open-minded about my future career path than ever before. Initially, I was set on establishing a business in China, but now, I'm considering a broader range of possibilities, including roles in educational consulting or management in different regions, or maybe even pursuing a PhD after graduation. My MBA journey so far has taught me to embrace flexibility and to be open to opportunities that may not align exactly with my original plans but still offer growth and learning potential.

Currently, my focus is on pursuing every opportunity to continue learning and refining my skills. I want to explore roles that will challenge me to apply what I've learned at CEIBS and further develop both my strengths and weaknesses. My goal is to build a career that allows me to make a meaningful impact on education, whether by empowering educators, improving school management, or developing innovative solutions for educational challenges.

Conclusion

While I entered the MBA programme with a vision of combining my background in education with business to create impactful changes, CEIBS has expanded my horizons and opened my mind to new possibilities, both within China and beyond. So far, my experience at CEIBS has been an invaluable step toward building a future in which I can meaningfully contribute to the educational landscape, regardless of where I am in the world.