How Shaera built her path to an Oxford MBA
Shaera’s journey to securing a spot on the MBA programme at Oxford was not shaped by a single defining moment, but by countless decisions, consistent effort and careful planning
For many students in Bangladesh, studying 8,000 kilometres away in the UK feels like a distant dream — something admired but rarely achieved. Yet for Shaera Sayeed, that dream refused to remain imaginary.
Through determination and years of preparation, she secured a place at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Her journey was not shaped by a single defining moment but by countless decisions, consistent effort, and careful planning.
Life before Oxford
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Shaera was quite passionate about finance from the very beginning. After she completed her O and A Levels from Scholastica School, she got selected for DU IBA (Institute of Business Administration) and pursued a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance.
However, her profile was diverse from the inception, as she got selected as a graduate trainee at one of the leading telecommunication companies in Bangladesh.
"Despite my finance background, I was working in the digital business space, managing a portfolio of digital entertainment products, including gaming services, while also exploring new digital business opportunities that could diversify the company's revenue streams. It was a fascinating experience that exposed me to innovation, partnerships, product management, and the broader digital ecosystem," Shaera said.
But she wanted to explore finance more deeply.
"As finance had always been my primary passion, I later transitioned into Corporate and Institutional Banking at a leading international bank. There, I advised large local corporations across lending, trade finance, foreign exchange, treasury solutions, structured financing, and sustainable finance transactions."
While navigating the ever-changing landscape of finance in corporate banking, she realised that pursuing an MBA would be a great addition to help her expand her global vision and make strides in her leadership journey.
Navigating the application process
The application process for an MBA at Oxford is holistic and typically includes academic transcripts, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, a CV, and an interview. However, Shaera revealed that this formal checklist is just a fragment of the entire journey. In reality, preparations start a long time before the application.
"Preparation was about building a strong foundation through academic excellence, meaningful professional experience, leadership opportunities, and continuous personal development," she explained. "Throughout my career, I focused on taking on challenging responsibilities and creating measurable impact."
"Preparation was about building a strong foundation through academic excellence, meaningful professional experience, leadership opportunities, and continuous personal development. Throughout my career, I focused on taking on challenging responsibilities and creating measurable impact."
Her experience in the telecommunication industry and international banking was helpful in effectively building her profile, but, notably, properly reflecting on it was crucial as well.
"I spent significant time reflecting on my career journey, future aspirations, and why Oxford was the right fit for me," she said. "I worked carefully on my essays to ensure they told a clear and authentic story about who I am, what I had achieved, and what I hoped to accomplish after the MBA."
Additionally, she also stressed the importance of in-depth perspectives in her application. She consistently sought advice from experienced individuals, who played a key role in strengthening her story.
"I also sought feedback from mentors, alumni, and peers, which helped me refine my application and present my experiences most effectively," she added.
Additionally, she also believes the most important aspect of the process was authenticity.
"The key was not trying to fit a particular mould," she reflected, "but rather being able to articulate a compelling and authentic narrative that connected my past experiences with my future ambitions."
Building a strategic profile
Shaera was clear about how she wanted her profile to communicate with others. That is why she never solely focused on building a profile revolving around her MBA application.
"Rather than building a profile specifically for business schools, I focused on building a profile that was aligned with my long-term career goals while also ensuring that I developed as a well-rounded individual," she said.
Alongside her professional career, she pursued the CFA Charter, took on leadership responsibilities, and remained involved in mentorship and community initiatives. Nevertheless, she believes the real advantage came from ensuring that all these experiences pointed in the same direction.
"Every element of my application, from my CV and essays to my interview responses, reflected a consistent narrative about my passion for finance, commitment to continuous learning, leadership journey, and the impact I hope to create in the future."
Therefore, the main takeaway pointed towards diverse experiences heading towards the same goal, which will assist the admissions committee in understanding your ambitions clearly.
The biggest challenge
For most students, managing an MBA application alongside a full-time job might be the toughest challenge. It was a similar case for Shaera as she went on to share her experience with the GRE exam.
"Because of my work commitments, I only had about two weeks to prepare before sitting the exam. Managing that alongside a demanding job required a great deal of discipline, prioritisation, and resilience. More broadly, one of the key challenges was figuring out how to differentiate my application and present my experiences in a way that would stand out among a highly accomplished global applicant pool."
But once, she found herself standing in the midst of a difficult decision: comfort or growth?
"Choosing to leave a well-established role, take a career break, invest significant resources in an MBA, and embrace the uncertainty that comes with starting a new chapter was not an easy decision," she said.
Most discussions are centred on how to get into business schools, but what needs to be left behind is the least talked about.
"Pursuing an MBA requires you to become comfortable with uncertainty and trust in your ability to navigate whatever comes next," she reflected.
Looking back, what once felt like a leap into the unknown became one of the most rewarding decisions of her life.
Advice for aspiring candidates
If there is one message she wants students to remember, it is this: start early.
"Building a strong MBA profile takes years, not months," she said.
Most top business schools expect candidates to have several years of corporate experience, and the years just after graduation should be utilised wisely. The focus should strongly be on garnering leadership skills, taking on challenging responsibilities, and making a strong impact.
Shaera suggested exploring other avenues aside from the workplace for effective growth. Professional certificates, community involvement, and leadership initiatives can all contribute to a more well-rounded profile.
But perhaps the most overlooked aspect is self-awareness.
"Strong candidates can clearly articulate who they are, what motivates them, and why an MBA is the right next step," she explained.
More than impressive résumés, top business schools appreciate a clear sense of purpose. They evaluate whether a candidate is determined, has a clear record of impact, and possesses a vision that connects their experiences with where they want to reach.
The most inspiring part of Shaera's story is that she never allowed herself to be defined by a single role, qualification, or career path. Instead, she continued to learn, explore, and challenge herself at every stage.
Securing a spot at Oxford became one milestone in that journey, but Shaera's determination, curiosity, and willingness to pursue growth beyond comfort were what made it possible.
