Making the most of the MSc Careers team

MSc Business Analytics student, Rafaela Mauricio, talks to us about her journey to gaining a place to study at WBS, and how the CareersPlus team has been a vital tool for her future plans.

I grew up in the Philippines, an archipelago situated among the tropical countries of Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Warwick Business School, I earned my undergraduate degree in BSc Management, with a Minor in Marketing, and had just over a year of work experience as a Management Consulting Associate at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

This was where I collaborated with clients on projects in various industries such as luxury retail, consumer healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing, multinational mining and metals, and legal practices. I deepened my appreciation for strategy, problem solving, and working with global teams during my tenure.

Why choose WBS for my Master's?

Coming from an admittedly broad background, I realised the need to acquire technical skills to transform abstract ideas into concrete and actionable plans. My interest in integrating data to come up with creative solutions is one of the main reasons as to why I decided to enrol in a Master’s degree at WBS.

Since it had always been a dream of mine to pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK, I decided it was time to take the leap outside of my comfort zone and further develop my skill set.

Selecting a business school to apply to can be quite daunting, especially as an international student in the early careers stage. I mainly considered the following factors: credibility, curriculum and career support.

The consistent top ranking of WBS, and its challenging curriculum stood out to me. I believed that the data-driven programme would help me achieve my career goals.

CareersPlus and Employer Relations at WBS

Upon joining WBS, I was amazed at the amount of career guidance offered from the very beginning of Welcome Week. The Careers team provides extensive resources and support and truly listens to your personal and career goals. I felt that they were sincerely interested in my success and tailored their advice accordingly.

I enjoyed one-on-one meetings, where they provided personalised advice on how to approach career planning and job applications. They helped me identify roles that aligned with my existing skill set and my passion for strategy, creativity and problem-solving. These sessions guided me towards understanding how to best approach my professional aspirations.

Standing out in a highly competitive market, saturated with thousands of talented individuals can be challenging. CV workshops, which were sessions held in roundtable discussions, were particularly helpful in refining my personal branding.

Insights from our mentor and peers allowed me to articulate my experiences and strengths on paper. The Careers Team highlighted that the best strategy to take on the job hunt is to tailor my CV and applications to specific roles and industries.

Away from careers coaching, WBS also hosts several highly informative events across various industries online and on campus. It is a chance to learn from industry experts and have a glimpse of their day-to-day work.

For instance, the Careers in Consumer Goods and Retail and Careers in Marketing event gave me a better understanding on the current trends and expectations in their respective industries. I was able to gain a better understanding on how my previous experiences and current modules are applicable to the available roles.

Where will my MSc lead?

Time truly does pass by rather quickly when you are trying to balance academics, career planning and other aspects of your personal life. Looking ahead, my objective is to apply for roles that align with my values, develop my skills and cultivate my passion. 

I aim to set a strong foundation through personal branding and professional narrative. The Careers team at WBS played an essential role in helping me refine these objectives and further understand the job market, and corporate environment in the UK. They provided comprehensive, practical and actionable advice that went beyond application tips, and I plan to continue fostering my relationship with the team.

If you are a future student considering joining WBS, my advice is simple: take the leap and take initiative. The school and the Careers team provide resources and will be there to support you from day one. It would be up to you on how to make the most out of your time and experience in the university.

The holistic approach to professional development offered by WBS ensures that your journey won’t stop here – you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to flourish in your chosen career.