Tell us a bit about yourself and what you studied.  

Ever since I understood the world of business, I was drawn to marketing. I love the way emotion and intellect can be combined to craft a message. I pursued my bachelors in India and completed my BBA with a marketing specialisation. Soon after, I started a career as a Promotional Content Writer with a fashion start-up in Bangalore.  

Most of my exposure to the world of marketing comes from my experience in advertising as an Account Executive. Here I was able to explore the different facets of marketing - be it the traditional print medium, the newer digital marketing or the in-betweeners like radio and television. My work in this fast-paced environment has taught me to own my breakdowns and take pride in my breakthroughs.  

What first attracted you to WBS?  

The first thing that attracted me to WBS was the course itself. My experience in advertising made me realise how important it is to have a successful marriage between marketing and strategy that is relevant to the ever-evolving audience.  

The MSc Marketing and Strategy programme at WBS seemed like it was tailored to my needs. The modules covered were especially attractive and provided a good breadth and depth of the subject and the peripherals.  

What was the best thing about MSc Marketing & Strategy?

To be in Warwick Business School means to set yourself up for challenges. The interesting thing however is, even though you are challenged at every stage of the programme, there is an equal amount of support given to students to overcome any obstacles they may face.  You are given the opportunities to grow into a holistic individual - be it with societies, extra-curricular activities or even just socials. What you’ll notice is that signing up for these events is super easy, the tricky bit is making time for the ones that count. Over the last few months, I have tried to participate in as many diverse events as possible and am richer for it.  

What sort of support did you receive from the careers team? How has that helped you?  

I began speaking with CareersPlus before I arrived on campus and the team were especially supportive in helping me understand the market and expectations in the UK as it is very different to the process in India. As the months went by, I began job applications and spoke to different members of the team. 

The feedback given by all of the CareersPlus team has been invaluable. Their inputs aren’t just about CVs and cover letters but also include an insight into the mindset of employers and recommendations on how to improve the university experience and make it overall more valuable for you, and therefore any potential employer.  

A key point to remember is that in order to get the most out of any careers meeting, it is important to have a starting point and preferably some specific questions to guide the session.  

Were you a member of any SU clubs or societies? What benefits did you get from that?  

While I joined a couple of societies, I wasn’t too involved with them. Most of my time was devoted to the Marketing Insights Series. The series aims to provide a platform to bridge the gap between academia and the real marketing world.  

As the series is open to the entire university and not just WBS, the application process for an executive position included creating a video of yourself explaining your suitability for the role. In my capacity as External Interviewer, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with industry experts from some of the biggest brands including Unilever, Loreal, Müller, P&G, Jaguar Land Rover, LVMH and Virgin Holidays. It might seem like I am name dropping, but the experience is truly amazing. To be able to pick the minds of some of these people is an unparalleled experience and helps put your mind at ease with many a classroom debate.  

Did you use the sports centre, visit the Arts Centre, attend club nights on campus, or have any hobbies you enjoy?  

I spent most of my first term settling in and attending quite a few freshers events. Soon after, I started attending the workshops organised by the Business School which focused on different career routes, CV tailoring and consulting. Most evenings were spent on campus with my friends, either at the Dirty Duck or Terrace Bar, catching up over how time seems to be flying.  

Recently, I have been travelling across the UK and went on my first solo holiday. This is something I look forward to doing more frequently over the next few months. There are also a few quieter things I enjoy doing with my friends - mostly sitting on the deck at Lakeside Residences on sunny afternoons or playing Monopoly at WBS Café around midnight.  

What are your tips for getting the most out of a masters for those starting in September?  

The most important tip I can give is to be open-minded. With people from all over the world taking this course, it’s difficult to put people or even situations in boxes. No matter how prepared you are, there are going to be moments when life throws you a curveball. Take it in your stride and know that you’ll come out stronger. Not to sound like a cliché, but it also helps to get out of your own head and approach situations in a detached way once in a while.  

The next thing I wish someone had told me would be to branch out. While the first couple of months can be taxing, it is important to attend events and careers fairs that are not hosted by the Business School. You never know, you may find a path you truly love in a seminar hosted by Humanities.  

Lastly - and I can’t emphasise this enough - set expectations of yourself and the programme. There’s enough to learn, but it can be so much more depending on what you take from it and invest into it. I find it useful to do mini appraisals for myself as I progress to know where I need to improve and also give myself a much-needed pat on the back. It’s easy to get lost in the rigmarole of things, but it’s equally important to take a breather, take pride in how far you’ve come and look at the situation with a fresh pair of eyes.