“Thank you for helping me overcome my imposter syndrome.”
Ethan Musca MBA2025, LBS Fund Award
Prior to beginning my journey at London Business School, I earned my Bachelor of Civil and Construction Engineering from Curtin University in Perth, Australia. Following this, I ventured into the industry as a mining engineer, where I gained diverse experience, including hands-on work in the field. Despite enjoying my time on-site, my true passion lay in renewables, sustainability and the energy transition. Western Australia is blessed with stunning natural beauty, so I have always had a passion for the outdoors and everything it has to offer. It was disappointing to see that when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, rising costs and disruptions to production in the mining industry meant sustainability commitments took a backseat in leaders’ minds.
This realisation fuelled my decision to pursue an MBA. As much as I enjoyed the day-to-day operations of mining, I would like to focus on the bigger picture and create a more tangible and long-lasting impact on the industry and the planet. My aim is to transition into consultancy or business roles focused on sustainability and natural resources, facilitating transformative shifts within the mining sector.
I had the chance to visit LBS last year, and the thing that drew me in to study here was the diversity of the student body, in every way. It’s something that all business schools will talk about, but at LBS I can confidently say it is true.
For me, what sets a school apart from the rest isn’t where it falls in the rankings, but the community it fosters.
What the camaraderie between students is like and what connections are formed. The existence of the School’s Out in Business Club and EUROUT conference also drew me in, exemplifying the acceptance of the School’s community. Despite being so far away, LBS felt like the only choice.
Securing sponsorship for my MBA proved challenging, as I was met with a lack of understanding from my company as to what the journey could bring. The doubt of others then meant that moving far away from my family, being out of the job market for two years, and joining a business school as an engineer without any kind of support suddenly seemed too risky. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship from the LBS Fund. In addition to allowing me to afford tuition and pursue my passion, the scholarship also helped me to overcome my imposter syndrome. Knowing that the School sees something in me, a young mining engineer from Western Australia, was a much-needed vote of confidence. My scholarship assured me that not only was I doing the right thing but that I’ve got this!
The people at LBS are without a doubt my favourite thing about studying here. Thanks to the kindness and genuine helpfulness of my peers, the stress of being on the other side of the world has been relieved and allowed me to be fully present in the experience.
I now play active roles in the School as a committee member of the Out in Business Club and the Energy and Environment Club. I am on the EUROUT planning team and am the Co-President of the 2025 CleanTech Challenge run at LBS. These roles alongside the opportunity to study at LBS have given me experiences like no other, allowed me to explore what I love, and discovered how this translates into my area of business.
To the donors who give to scholarships at London Business School, I would like to say thank you for investing in me and helping me overcome my imposter syndrome.
