My MSc journey from graduate to Course Director

Dr Bo Kelestyn recounts her remarkable experiences at Warwick Business School, and offers invaluable advice for those considering a similar path.

When I completed my MSc Management of Innovation Systems & Digital Innovation (MISDI) course at Warwick in the Autumn of 2013, I’d have been so proud to have known I’d go on to become Course Director.

Where could a Master’s from Warwick Business School lead?

I’ll always describe my time on MISDI (back then called ISMI) as the best year of my life. I made so many lifelong friends, and had a lot of fun working with my colleagues.

The course transformed both my skillset and mindset, with aspects such as innovation management, the capstone research paper experience, but most notably, design thinking. A human-centred innovation methodology, it changed how I approached innovation and problem solving. I am now a design thinking academic and practitioner, and am working on a book on design thinking for digital innovation that will be used to teach on the course.

MISDI took me in the direction of an academic-consulting-training career. Achieving a Warwick Business School PhD in digital innovation after MISDI has opened up so many doors for me. I was also able to leverage those skills to create a portfolio of innovation and facilitation projects that sit comfortably alongside my academic career and identity, allowing me to keep bringing the industry perspective to the classroom.

My true passion is education, which is ultimately why I choose to stay in Higher Education and have the pleasure of giving back to the MISDI community as a Course Director.

My favourite part of the role is the seeing our students go on to succeed. I particularly love to see our graduates achieve promotions and accolades in their industries, or flourish as their own business hits the market.

Most recently, I’ve been fascinated in watching career paths pivot and diversify with the emergence of generative AI. Whichever way you are leaning towards, our MSc CareersPlus and Employer Relations team will remain by your side for life.

Why study MISDI at Warwick?

In Term 1, the course focuses on interdisciplinary foundations of digital innovation. Terms 2, 3 and 4 are designed to work around you and your ambitions and interests.

We’ll offer as much support as we can to help you make the right choices for you. With a range of options that we frequently review to match the emergence of digital, expect to learn about and contribute to the latest information systems debates.

Sustainability, responsible use of AI and emphasis on leadership as well as management are some of the latest updates to the course. If you think you might be a fit for MISDI, please feel free to reach out to me or other alumni via LinkedIn.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the course, feel free to reach out to me and other alumni via LinkedIn.

The MISDI community is one of the friendliest I have ever come across, and we’d love to welcome you to it!