Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and the course you are studying.

I’m Tulika Khosla a MSc Marketing & Strategy student. This is my 4^th year at WBS having graduated in July 2020 from my BSc Management course.

What first attracted you to WBS, why did you choose to study here?

I was firstly and still am most attracted to the international makeup of WBS, from the students to faculty. I grew up with an international background having lived in 3 countries and attended international school. My favourite part of school was being able to sit in one country but get the views of students from around the world. I was able to emulate that incredible experience at WBS. The business world is only getting more integrated and being at WBS helps mirror the experience we will have once we go into the ‘real world’. I can now easily say I have a friend in every corner of the globe and WBS has played a fundamental part in helping me achieve that.

What would you say are the key things that sets WBS apart?

I like to classify the three key distinguishers of WBS as the 3C’s: community, challenge and corporate. Starting with community, WBS truly does feel like a large community, from current students to alumni. You truly do get the feeling that everyone knows everyone and it's incredible just how large our alumni network is. I’ve reached out to alumni time and again for careers advice amongst other things and been certain that they would be of help because we are a community, just as I have been when I’ve had students in younger years reach out to me.

The intensity of our modules is challenging but just as rewarding. In being challenging I have learnt to push myself to excel in all my modules, whether that’s being a helpful group member or finding new avenues to answer an individual assignment question. My modules have helped me develop a myriad of both soft and hard skills. This brings me to my third C: Corporate. The skills I have developed have been crafted to be able to help me once I enter the corporate world following my degree. WBS does an exemplary job in ensuring its students are equipped to excel at the start of their careers, often using case study materials to help us get an idea of what to expect and achieve in the workplace.

What is the best thing about your course so far?

My classmates have by far been one of the best parts of my course so far. As a self–proclaimed ‘marketing geek’ it has been incredible to meet people with the exact same mindset as me. Even in a year like this that has been delivered largely online, I have been able to form connections with many of my classmates, which is a testament to the community feeling of WBS. Not only have they been there to reciprocate my love for marketing, but they also have been a great source of support in helping me get over any little hurdles I’ve faced over the course, for instance when finding it difficult to understand certain lecture content. What’s special about them is also knowing that we will be able to keep up our friendships long after we’ve walked through the doors of WBS for the last time.

What is your favourite module? What do you cover on this module?

My favourite module this year has been the Branding, Marketing Communications & Design module. The structure of this module can seem daunting as it is taught in an intensive 2-week block. However, I have really enjoyed this structure as it’s been able to let me focus solely on this one topic, which also happens to be one of my favourite aspects of marketing. This module is unique wherein our group task is designed around a brand & design sprint once again emulating activities we might engage in once we begin our careers. It has also helped bust any misconceptions of branding being solely linked to advertising or brand logos and has incorporated the importance of design thinking and consumer behaviour in understanding branding, proving the truly inter-disciplinary nature of marketing.

What has inspired you most throughout your studies at WBS?

I have been inspired the most by my classmates throughout my studies at WBS. Each of us come from a variety of different backgrounds. For some, this is the first time studying in WBS, for others the first time living in the UK, and some are doing it all based in their home countries a few time zones away. I am inspired by everyone’s ability to apply their different backgrounds to the way they approach tasks and have been able to learn so much from them. Many times when we tackle the same group project, we will have completely different perspectives which has been truly eye-opening for me. This has enabled me to develop a truly holistic understanding of all my modules as I’ve been able to learn through the eyes of our diverse cohort.

What sort of support have you received so far from the CareersPlus team? How has that helped you?

I am a big fan of the CareersPlus team. I used their service heavily when applying for graduate schemes. Every student knows the pressure of what we like to call “application season” which usually coincides with term 1. Term 1 is already often stressful in itself as you are trying to get acquainted with your new course, without the added pressure of applications. The CareersPlus team were incredibly helpful in that time. I went to them to look over my CV and Cover letter. In times I was feeling a little more overwhelmed they were also able to just advise me on my career path and provide me with some much-needed reassurance. In checking my CV and cover letter they’ve taught me the importance of delivering meaning with every word used, which is a skill that will come in handy throughout my life.

What do you aim to do once you graduate? Do you have a role lined up?

My aim once I graduate, which also motivated me to undertake my MSc course, is to have a career in Brand Consulting. I have been able to land myself a brand consulting internship in London for 2 months which I am extremely excited about. My course equipped me with the aptitude needed to succeed when interviewing for this role, as the course teaches us about the strategic relevance of marketing principles which is paramount in brand consulting.

What are your tips for getting the most out of an MSc for those starting in September?

My two main pieces of advice would be to be confident and to make the most of your experience. This course goes by extremely quickly which is even more reason to be confident in tackling the challenges it presents but also in making the most of your experience by reaching out to your peers and lecturers. This year was especially unique with the blended approach making these two bits of advice even more important. It can seem daunting having to reach out to your peers to create your network but remember that everyone is in the same boat as you and probably wants to do exactly the same! Also, the course might seem overwhelming as it is challenging, but just have the confidence to know that you were selected to be here for a reason, and you will definitely excel – just give it your best shot and remember to have fun while you’re doing it!

What top tips would you give to prospective MSc students who are deciding if WBS is the right place for them?

If you are ready to change as a person then this is definitely the place for you! Undertaking a course at WBS will leave you with a plethora of new hard and soft skills, and the confidence to tackle any challenges head on! Will it be challenging? Yes. Will it be twice as rewarding? 100%. WBS will not only help you learn more about the subject you’re interested in, but also a lot about yourself. WBS will help you grow into who you are. Before coming to here I was unaware of my ability to network or be a leader in group settings and at WBS I was given the confidence to realise those attributes. You’ll also be able to do all of this surrounded by some truly incredible people, in both your classmates and lecturers, who will manage to inspire you every day and provide you with a much-needed laugh and support when necessary!