A total of six people from Wizz Air applied for the Corvinus Executive Master of Business Administration program. What motivated this group decision? What company-level and individual considerations led to several of you applying at the same time? 

Nóra: I can start from the company perspective. This was an initiative from our People Department to support senior leaders by offering opportunities to fund or sponsor their Executive MBA studies. It’s part of several leadership development programs we offer. Each year, four spots are available, and if more people express interest, additional criteria are used to decide who joins. 

Karina: The EMBA broadens your perspective. Coming from operations, you interact with other departments but might not fully understand their work. The program gives insights into finance, HR, and commercial functions, helping you see the bigger picture. On a personal level, managing family alongside the program is challenging, but the support within the group has been amazing. We share notes, help each other meet deadlines, and collaborate closely—it’s very different from previous studies. 

What were your personal motivations behind applying for the Corvinus EMBA? 

Karina: On a personal level, I had been considering the EMBA for a while, but balancing it with a recent relocation from Romania and family responsibilities made it seem difficult. The company’s support—both financial and in terms of scheduling flexibility, especially for the summer school—made it possible. Without that, it would have been nearly impossible to attend. 

Nóra : For me, it was about furthering my education. I have a philology background but wanted something more practical. Working in HR, the Executive MBA felt like a natural next step and a way to explore new possibilities beyond my current role. I didn’t receive company sponsorship, but I decided to move forward anyway. I felt it was the right time—not wanting to wait another year. It aligned with my personal and career development goals, and I saw it as a great learning opportunity for the future. 

What do you hope to achieve after completing the program? Are you aiming for career advancement or a new role? 

Nóra: It depends. At Wizz Air, senior leaders often rotate roles. After a few years in one position, you can move laterally, take on new challenges, or aim for promotion. The EMBA provides knowledge and perspectives that can help in these moves. Also, the diversity within our cohort—30 people from different backgrounds—makes the experience even richer. 

Karina, with your senior leadership experience, in what areas does the EMBA help you grow? 

Karina: It offers a holistic view across all business areas. The program helps me explore new domains, identify areas where I can excel, and discover opportunities for development that I might not have considered before.  

Nóri, as an HR professional, how do you see the EMBA impacting executive careers? 

Nóra: Even in our first year of the program, some colleagues have already moved roles or been promoted. The program offers great opportunities, but it requires dedication and resilience. Balancing a full-time job with an intensive EMBA is demanding, so planning and focus are key. 

Karina: Working together, especially from different departments, has improved our cross-functional understanding. We now approach meetings with a more holistic view and greater empathy for colleagues’ workloads. 

Who would you recommend this program to? 

Karina: Those with senior leadership experience. Many of us manage operations across multiple countries and thousands of employees. The program develops skills for managing diverse teams, supporting company growth, and promoting employee well-being. Timing is also crucial. At our level of management, the EMBA provides the most value because we can directly apply lessons to our extensive experience. So, it’s the combination of the course and your professional background that maximizes the benefit. 

Nóra:  Exactly. That’s why our company strongly supports participation. It helps develop leaders at the right stage of their careers.