Mentoring – Career Development for a Cranfield MBA Student
Shahbaz Tabish is a Cranfield University MBA Student.
Cranfield is where I gained my MBA many years ago.
Shahbaz came to me and asked for mentoring help – to work out where and how he might transition int the next stage of his post-MBA career.
My role in this assignment was to be the mentor
Outcome
- Shahbaz is much clearer about his future path options.
- He is much more confident is his approach to job hunting.
- He has gained an internship.
- He is networking like mad.
- He is grateful for my guidance.
“Dear Stephen,
When I first reached out to you, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. You had no reason to respond to a stranger fresh out of graduation, trying to make sense of the UK job market and hoping to pivot into consulting. But you did — and not only that, you showed up with openness, generosity, and the kind of clarity that only comes from deep experience.
Over the past six months, your mentorship has been one of the most grounding parts of my MBA journey. Whether it was mapping out a decision matrix to navigate career paths, or simply helping me see through the fog of uncertainty, you gave me tools — not just advice — to make conscious choices. I still remember our early conversations where I was overwhelmed by options, unsure what would play to my strengths. You helped me simplify without oversimplifying — and that’s a rare skill.
More than just career guidance, I’ve learned a lot from your presence. You have this unique way of being straightforward yet encouraging, structured yet approachable. Our meetings never felt like lectures — they were conversations with someone genuinely invested in seeing me grow. I admired your ability to blend the wisdom of someone who’s seen the business world inside-out with the curiosity and humour of a lifelong learner.
Your stories — from strategic acquisitions to mentoring 70+ companies across wildly different industries — were not only insightful but inspiring. They made the consulting world feel accessible, not intimidating. And every time you dropped a line like “Never ask for a job, ask for perspective,” I found myself scribbling it down to revisit later.
On a personal note, your books, especially “Success Know How,” are now part of my go-to collection. They’ve helped me reflect more deeply on how I define success and what kind of career I want to build — and more importantly, why. I’ve attached a small photo of me with Success Know How — a little reminder of how much your work has influenced mine.
Thanks again, Stephen, not just for being a mentor, but for being the kind of person who shows up — with honesty, insight, and heart. I’ve walked away from every session with something valuable, and I look forward to carrying those lessons forward.
With sincere appreciation,
Shahbaz Tabish
Full Time MBA 2025,
Cranfield University, UK
July 2025