Megan's Story: Gold Medallist, Elite gymnast and WBS graduate

In this blog Megan discusses how she participated within international competitions whilst studying BSc Management and completed a placement year within the charity sector. Inspired by her time at WBS, Megan is returning in September to study MSc Marketing & Strategy.

My name is Megan and I am from Swansea, Wales. I have recently graduated from Warwick Business School (WBS) after studying BSc Management (with Intercalated Year) from 2016-2020.

When I was in college and deciding upon which universities to apply for, I chose to focus on the top-ranking business schools within the UK, and as a highly regarded institution, WBS was a clear choice. I also wanted to go to a campus university, and by studying at the University of Warwick meant I could fully utilise everything the university has to offer such as the Sports and Wellness Hub, Library and Warwick Arts Centre. I decided to study BSc Management as it covers a wide range of modules. In the first year the modules range from Finance, to Economics, to Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and from the second year onwards you can then choose which modules you would like to study depending on your interests. So, I decided to focus on more Marketing and HR based modules in my intermediate and final years.  

Studying at WBS has given me the opportunity to meet and work with so many people from different backgrounds and gain a whole range of new skills and perspectives. WBS also provides students access to a vast number of optional workshops and seminars. For example, I attended various talks and workshops organised by the Marketing Insights Series within WBS. This allowed me to learn more about the marketing strategies within specific industries and companies, hearing first-hand from those who work within them.

I opted to undertake a placement year in between my second and final years, as I felt that having a year in industry would be a huge benefit, whilst also allow me to put some of the theory we learnt into practice. However, my placement year experience was a little bit different than typically expected as I decided to work in a charity organisation. My placement was an international voluntary youth organisation. I worked with the Marketing and Communications team, as well as working on various projects with the Finance Team. During my time there, the organisation underwent a large restructure and change in leadership. It was during this period in particular I was able to really see the theories I had already learnt throughout my course being put into practice. I was also able to utilise some of the skills I had acquired during my first and second year of studies. I definitely believe my placement year has helped me to prepare for my future career and given me a clear insight of a working environment.

Outside of WBS I am one of the Team Warwick Performance Sport Scholars, and I am grateful to have been awarded a scholarship each year since 2016. I am a current member of the GBR Senior Tumbling (Gymnastics) Squad, and I have won two World Age Group Medals (Gold & Silver) since I have been studying at Warwick. The support from Warwick has allowed me to continue to train at an elite level, competing across the world, all whilst gaining a degree from one of the best business schools in the UK. Managing my undergraduate studies alongside my training schedule has, at times, been a little challenging, but with the support provided from Warwick I have been able to successfully balance both. Being one of Warwick’s Sport Scholars has allowed me to gain access to the new Sports & Wellness Hub based on campus for free. I also had access to strength and conditioning sessions, physiotherapy, mentor sessions and more, which was really beneficial.

Unfortunately graduating this year has meant we have been unable to have our official degree ceremony due to covid-19, but I look forward to when we are able to come together to celebrate in 2021. Instead I have celebrated with family and friends, whilst enjoying the sunshine!

Even though I have graduated, my time at WBS is far from over. In September, I will begin studying the MSc Marketing & Strategy, which I am very much looking forward to. I would encourage prospective students to apply to WBS as it really is a great place to study, where you will be able to enhance your skills and be provided with a huge range of new opportunities.

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