Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and the course you are studying.
My name is Christof and I am an EU student from Poland, studying MSc Management of Information Systems & Digital Innovation at Warwick Business School. Before joining WBS I was studying for my undergraduate degree in International Business and Digital Innovation at the University of Essex. I am passionate about emerging technologies and the way they are used to transform traditional approaches to business, mainly through the use of platforms. In fact, I have developed a business plan for a platform-based company which aims to address the needs of festivalgoers in terms of drinks and food delivery.
My MSc course is a well-rounded and intense course for students that want to immerse themselves in the digital world of doing business, whilst also focusing on the development of technology-based solutions for enterprises. Working on numerous amounts of case studies and group projects with my classmates from all different backgrounds really allows for interesting and compelling business ideas and strategies. My course also includes a lot of presentations and active participation in lectures, with the opportunity to attend guest speaker lectures often ran by industry professionals. In addition to this, most of the content for my course and the course books have been written by current lecturers making the course more valuable than my expectations.
What first attracted you to WBS, and why did you choose to study here?
The first thing that attracted me to my course at WBS was the emphasis put on understanding the importance of digital technologies and how they are used to transform businesses. The fact that current WBS academics could be seen talking about their research on numerous TV interviews and that their research was published in various papers also played an important role in my decision on choosing to study at WBS. I received several offers from universities across the UK and Europe but WBS was always my first choice because it places a lot of importance on research in AI and innovation. WBS is also ranked very highly and has a huge network of alumni and business contacts all over the world.
What would you say are the key things that sets WBS apart?
The WBS CareersPlus service is something I can highly recommend to all students. The careers team really care about your wellbeing and devote a lot of time to help you understand the different parts of the job application process. They can also help with mock interviews and group assessment centres. As a student at WBS you can easily fill your timetable with events organised by the careers team including employability skills workshops, guest speaker events and careers fairs.
What is the best thing about your course so far?
There are a lot of things I absolutely love about my course. The expertise of my lecturers and the way their knowledge is transferred to me during lectures is really engaging and keeps me motivated throughout my course. I also really enjoy group work where I am able to work with classmates from all different backgrounds.
What is your favourite module? What do you cover on this module?
My favourite module is ‘Digital Business Strategy’ which I have just started. The module focuses on learning about how digital platforms can improve existing businesses or even create new ones. Another interesting module I enjoyed during my first term was ‘Global Sourcing and Cloud Technologies’. The idea of the module is to teach students about business outsourcing, and part of the module included a piece of group work focusing on creating a simple online software or application and outsourcing it online to an external provider.
What has inspired you most throughout your studies at WBS?
I have been most inspired by the modules I have studied so far which have encouraged me to develop my own knowledge about methods of finance that go beyond the boundaries of countries. For example I find blockchain technology fascinating and have been considering this as a possible area of interest for my dissertation.
What sort of support have you received so far from the CareersPlus team? How has that helped you?
I have engaged with the WBS CareersPlus team on numerous occasions. Firstly, I went for a general meeting to discuss my future career goals and consider what I need to focus in order to achieve these goals. I then had a meeting with one of the careers coaches where we were able to review my CV and tailor it towards the industries and companies I was applying to. I have also attended mock interview sessions and mock group assessments organised by the careers team which have helped prepare me for the real thing.
Are you a member of any sports clubs or societies? How has being a member of a society or club benefited you?
I am a member of numerous societies on campus including the Warwick Business School Society and the Polish Society. I am also in the reserve team for the sailing team, however, due to my studies and focusing on job applications it can be difficult to find the time to participate in society events. I also enjoy private golf practice in my spare time and find this is a great way for me to relax and take a much-needed break from my studies.
Do you use the sports centre, visit the Arts Centre, attend club nights on campus, or have any hobbies you enjoy?
I enjoy going to the Terrace bar on campus where I can relax and play some pool with friends. I also recently attended an ale society event where I was able to try lots of different kind of ales from all over the world whilst listening to some live music.
What are your tips for getting the most out of an MSc for those starting in September?
My top tip for students starting their MSc course would be to make sure you prepare for your course by researching and reading as much as you can. The area of innovation and technology is rapidly changing so for my course it is really important I am up to date with the latest news and research papers.
What top tips would you give to prospective MSc students who are deciding if WBS is the right place for them?
My top tip for prospective MSc students would be to reach out to current students who will be able to give you the best advice if you are deciding whether WBS is the right place for you. I would also recommend that you visit the University of Warwick campus as there are so many amazing facilities here. It is also a great idea to do some research on the academics that are going to be teaching you as they have so much knowledge and expertise, and their research will really inspire you.