When Executive MBA candidate Rachel Knox discovered she was pregnant just three months into her programme, she faced one of life's most demanding challenges: combining rigorous postgraduate study with a high-pressure banking career and impending motherhood.
Rather than stepping back from her ambitions, Rachel embraced this complex juggling act and discovered a transformative personal and professional journey that reshaped her understanding of what's possible.
The Challenge: EMBA Studies Meet Pregnancy
At the time of her pregnancy discovery, Rachel was working as a Treasury Dealer at Crown Agents Bank while attending evening classes every Tuesday and Thursday, completing weekend modules, and maintaining her full work schedule. The news came in November 2025, creating what seemed like an impossible situation.
"I remember thinking: How on earth am I going to manage this?" Rachel recalls of that moment. Yet looking back, she now sees the experience as not just manageable but profoundly rewarding.
Why Bayes Business School Was the Right Choice
With over a decade of banking experience and professional qualifications including the CFA and CISI, Rachel viewed the MBA as the natural progression in her career development. While many friends had moved away from London to start families, she felt strongly that her professional ambitions still had room to grow.
"An MBA felt far more fulfilling than another evening in front of Netflix," she explains. Bayes Business School stood out for its central London location, strong reputation, and flexible part-time structure that allowed her to continue progressing in her full-time role while studying.
Seven Strategies for Balancing EMBA and Motherhood
Drawing from her experience navigating pregnancy, birth, and academic commitments simultaneously, Rachel shares her top lessons for anyone considering combining an MBA with parenthood.
1. Believe in Your Dream and Yourself
Rachel emphasises that there's never a perfect time to start an MBA. She encourages women to trust themselves and take the leap, even when life feels uncertain. "Motherhood does not mean pressing pause on your ambitions," she states firmly.
2. Remember You Are Not Alone
The support of her cohort proved invaluable. Several classmates also had young families, including two who became parents during the programme. "Everyone struggles at some point. Lean on your community," Rachel advises.
3. Build Your Support Squad
Success truly takes a village, according to Rachel. She spent time in Northern Ireland during maternity leave so her parents could help care for her baby while she studied. Her husband covered weekends, and her employer provided flexible arrangements including remote working and leave for electives.
4. Prioritise Your Health
Attempting to study exclusively during newborn naps quickly proved unsustainable. Rachel found that eating well, resting properly, and introducing gentle exercise helped restore the energy needed for both study and motherhood.
5. Tackle Mum Guilt Head-On
From evening classes to overseas electives in Silicon Valley and Seoul, Rachel often battled feelings of guilt about time away from her child. With encouragement from her support network, she recognised that pursuing personal goals made her a happier, more fulfilled mother.
6. Celebrate the Small Wins
Every assignment submitted and module completed deserved recognition. Rachel made a habit of celebrating with family outings or small moments of joy to sustain motivation throughout the demanding programme.
7. Keep Your Eyes on the Big Picture
Whether the goal is career progression, personal growth, or setting an example for children, Rachel emphasises the importance of remembering your "why." This fundamental purpose carries you through the toughest moments.
A Transformative Journey of Personal Growth
Rachel's experience demonstrates that with the right support and mindset, mothers can not only manage but thrive on the Executive MBA. Bayes' flexible structure, strong community, and supportive culture played significant roles in helping her succeed both personally and academically.
Her message to other women considering the EMBA is both simple and powerful: trust yourself, because you're more capable than you realise.
The journey of balancing motherhood with executive education requires careful planning and robust support systems, but as Rachel's story proves, the rewards extend far beyond academic achievement to profound personal transformation.
