I Am An Artist. Here’s Why I Earned an MBA

I’ve always been energetic and competitive as a student, diving headfirst into extracurricular activities. By the time I was 9, I had found my stride as a successful national-level swimmer, racking up wins in important competitions like the Sindh Open in Pakistan. My passion for sports opened a world of travel for me, letting me explore every corner of my country. 

I remember the excitement when my sister and I were selected to represent Pakistan in the South Asian Games. It felt like a dream come true, but then the heartbreaking news came that it had to be canceled because of the 9/11 attack in the USA. I even got to compete in athletics in India, which was a thrilling experience. But as I grew older, I started to step back from sports. It was tough, but the limited opportunities for women in my culture made it hard to pursue my dreams. It was a bittersweet journey, filled with memories of what could have been, but then art and other professional aspirations took over.  

And then the Artist Earned an MBA 

I studied fine arts and design at the O and A levels in the British system. I spent five years honing my skills in drawing and painting, and I still create art today. Since 2018, I’ve had the chance to showcase my work in various exhibitions back in Pakistan. Most recently, I participated in an artist residency in the United States. 

I studied Industrial Design at the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto, graduating in 2015 after completing my thesis at the National College of Arts in Lahore. My career kicked off with an internship as a set designer at Dawn News TV, followed by a role as a furniture designer at Shahzad Brothers Architects. I went on to teach at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and intern at Gul Ahmed and the Lahore Museum. In 2016, I dove into interior design at Ambiance by Decent Furnishers and later became a teaching associate at the National College of Arts. The following year, I co-founded a design and marketing firm called Blends with my family, and during the pandemic in 2020, I began working as an interior designer for Chugtai Lab.  

In 2022, I decided to enroll in an MBA program at University of the People and took on a business development executive role at Aik Anar. I chose to earn an MBA because many employers tend to overlook candidates without a master’s degree. My MBA degree enables me to differentiate myself from others in the job market.  

I continued working various jobs while I earned my degree. I worked as an exam invigilator for the British Council and designed packaging for a recruiting agency. In 2024, I began working remotely in human resources at Pierre Strand. I also continued to teach, serve as a partner and designer for my design company.  

The Juggling Act 

I opted for an online degree from UoPeople so I could manage work and studies simultaneously, allowing me to start a family. I got married during my time at UoPeople and welcomed my first child before graduating. Now, I am a proud mother of two: a son and a daughter. I am incredibly thankful for the path my MBA journey at UoPeople has taken, affording me the chance to earn some income for myself while building my family. 

Balancing my MBA studies after marriage posed significant challenges, particularly since family life required more attention. I transitioned from a full-time to a part-time student, maintaining a GPA above 3 before graduating with a 2.9 GPA. After I gave birth to my first child, graduation felt nearly impossible, but I managed to achieve it. The most challenging aspect of my degree was working as a teacher while caring for a newborn and completing the final capstone course in my program.  

I intend to relocate to Canada with my husband and children and work as a product design manager for a reputable organization. Presently, I reside in Pakistan with my kids, and I have previously lived in Canada for six months while earning my MBA. I also plan to earn my PhD at a Canadian university once my children reach a slightly more mature age at which they can manage themselves more independently. 

My recommendation to both current and future UoPeople learners is: persevere and complete your degree. It can be quite challenging to focus on online studies and not get sidetracked by distractions around you, but it’s more rewarding to finish your educational journey and experience that sense of achievement than to feel regret for not seizing the opportunity you have. 

About the Author 

Fatima K. has been making her mark as an artist at ALN in the United States since 2023. Before that, she was an industrial designer at Blends in Pakistan, a firm she founded in 2017. After earning her MBA from UoPeople, she transitioned to a role in human resources at Pierre Strand. In addition to her design work, Fatima is passionate about education. She teaches art and English literature online and in-person in Pakistan and Canada. Her journey in the creative field began as an interior designer for Ambiance in 2016 and later at Chugtai Lab in 2020. In 2017, she shared her knowledge as an art and design instructor at the National College of Arts. Since 2018, Fatima has curated and participated in numerous art and design exhibitions across Pakistan, showcasing her dedication to the arts and her unwavering commitment to fostering creativity in others. Her diverse experiences reflect her love for both design and teaching, making her a versatile contributor to the creative community.