As another generation of business school students conclude their studies we ask them to reflect on Graduation Day and the lifelong impact of their studies…

• Name: Sachiko Yoshizumi 
• Job title: Manager at ABeam Consulting 
• Institution: Durham University Business School  
• Degree: MBA 
• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachiko-yoshizumi/ 

How does participating in a graduation ceremony help you emotionally mark the end of your student journey and prepare for what’s next?  

Although I had finished all my assignments and my dissertation long before the ceremony, attending the graduation gave me a special feeling of closure that no certificate or email could give. There’s something meaningful about standing in a formal place, wearing academic robes, and taking a moment to think about everything I experienced during the intense MBA programme – the academic challenges, personal sacrifices, teamwork, conflicts, and times of growth. When my name was called and I walked onto the stage, I felt a strong “finally!” in my heart.  

In that way, the ceremony worked like a reset for my mind. It helped me move from being a student to starting the next chapter of my professional life. It also reminded me that I didn’t achieve this alone. Seeing my course-mates smiling together reminded me how we supported each other during the journey. I felt a deep sense of shared success, which made the day even more meaningful.  

This feeling was quite similar to what I felt nine years ago when I graduated from my previous master’s at Durham University. Knowing that the ceremony would help me emotionally close this chapter and take a step forward, I chose to attend it – even though it wasn’t mandatory and I had to extend my stay in the UK to do so.  

Also, as an international student, I was deeply impressed by this special ceremony in a World Heritage cathedral, which felt very different from the ones I attended in Japan. 

What does it mean to you to be recognised publicly for your learning and accomplishment – and who do you feel you’re representing as you cross the stage?  

Public recognition was not something I had aimed for when I started the MBA. I simply wanted to improve my business knowledge in a global environment. However, I now realise the value of being recognised. Even though I had already built a career as a management consultant, I didn’t have a formal qualification to show my business knowledge. Earning the MBA gave me a clear way to prove my ability as a global business professional especially because I completed with distinction, and I believe it will continue to do so in the future.  

As I crossed the stage, I felt I was representing all the people who supported me; my family, friends and mentors who gave me emotional encouragement and helpful advice along the way. Especially my father, who sadly passed away during the MBA programme, always told me to follow my dreams. If his spirit could see the ceremony, I’m sure he would say he was proud of me. 

The ceremony made all of this feel visible. In a world where hard work often goes unseen, that brief moment on stage felt like a rare spotlight not just on the result, but on the journey itself. I was also glad that, although my family and friends in Japan couldn’t attend in person, they were able to watch the ceremony live online. I received many warm messages during and after the event, which made me feel very connected and appreciated.  

In a world where learning never really ends, what does ‘graduating’ mean to you – and what kind of impact do you want to make with what you’ve learned?  

For me, graduating from an MBA is not the end of learning. It’s more like starting a new phase, with a stronger foundation and clearer vision for how I want to grow and contribute. I now see business challenges, strategy, and human behaviour through a wider and more thoughtful lens. The programme helped me improve my ability to think critically across different areas, which is needed in every kind of job today.  

“Even if my impact is small, I want to contribute to a world that is more sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful”

– Sachiko Yoshizumi 

In terms of impact, I want to create value that goes beyond financial; something social and cultural as well. Continuing my work as a management consultant, I hope to help individuals and organisations make decisions that are not only smart but also sustainable and people- focused.  

One of the biggest lessons from the MBA is that data and strategy are powerful tools, but what really matters is how we use them; with ethics, awareness, and purpose. Even if my impact is small, I want to contribute to a world that is more sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful.   

What is the single most memorable aspect of your studies that you will remember long after graduation?  

More than the lectures, articles, and assignments, what I’ll remember the most are the late- night conversations and unexpected debates with course-mates from many different countries. I clearly remember how a discussion about business strategy often turned into deeper conversations about leadership, culture, and life. Those moments truly opened my mind and changed how I think.  

They reminded me why I chose to study an MBA in the UK, not in Japan. I didn’t just want business tools, I wanted to challenge myself and learn alongside people with different cultural and professional backgrounds. We didn’t always agree, but that was the most valuable part. Real learning happens when your beliefs are tested, and you’re pushed to think again. That’s what makes us truly global professionals.  

The spirit of respectful debate and curiosity is something I’ll keep with me long after graduation. It taught me that no matter how experienced or busy we become, great leaders never stop learning. And finally, I can confidently say that I made lifelong friends during this MBA journey.  

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