Rebin Zahid, a civil engineer based in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, has spent more than a decade navigating the complexities of oil and gas construction projects. But in 2024, he decided it was time for something more—a shift not just in title, but in mindset.

“I’ve worked through the details of construction—machinery, concrete, everything,” says Rebin. “But I wanted to go deeper into management—how to lead, how to plan, how to communicate effectively with teams. That’s what brought me back to school.”

Turning technical know-how into strategic insight

Rebin’s educational journey started with taking online courses on Coursera. After completing training in construction management from Columbia University and earning Google’s project management certificate, he discovered the University of Huddersfield’s MSc in Management online degree while searching for his next step.

“I wanted to level up. I knew how projects ran from the ground, but I needed a stronger understanding of leadership, scheduling, and planning from a manager’s perspective,” he explains. “I’ve seen managers who only know theory—they don’t always understand the on-site details. My goal is to bring both worlds together.”

Through the degree, Rebin is already developing leadership skills he can use in his current job. “One of the biggest lessons is how to lead people—not just give orders, but listen and learn from them, while helping them grow.”

Juggling family, 12-hour shifts, and a master’s degree

Life for Rebin is busy. He works two weeks on-site and then has two weeks at home to spend with his family and focus on his studies. When on-site, he works 12-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. While at home, he’s a father to a 9-year-old daughter and 20-month-old twins, so finding time for his degree can be tricky.

“When my kids go to sleep, I run to my laptop,” he laughs. “That’s my chance to study.”

What makes it all possible is the flexibility of Coursera. “If this degree weren’t online, I couldn’t do it. I’d have to leave my job and move to the UK—it would be impossible. But the way this is set up, I can study from Iraq, at my own pace.”

Another important factor? Affordability. “Compared to other universities, Huddersfield’s program is more affordable. Being able to pay in installments made a big difference for me.”

A vision for the future—and advice for others

Now enrolled in the MSc Management online from the University of Huddersfield, Rebin has completed core modules like Fundamentals of Management and is looking forward to upcoming courses like Strategic Management and Fundamentals of Leadership.

His ambition is clear: “I want to move into a management position in construction—to plan, schedule, and lead projects effectively. With this degree, I’ll have the technical and strategic foundation to do that.”

He offers this advice to others considering a similar path:

“Have ambition and set a clear goal. Even if your job is hard, don’t stop. The world keeps moving—and every day, we hear about new technology and new ideas. Don’t let your work become routine. Keep learning, keep moving forward.”

Rebin is proof that with determination, discipline, and the right online degree, even the busiest professionals can take charge of their future.

Interested in taking the next step like Rebin?
Explore the University of Huddersfield’s MSc in Management on Coursera and start building the leadership skills to elevate your career, without putting your life on pause.