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07 Feb 2025, 03:00
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| FROM LBS MiM Admissions Blog: Make Your Choices Work: The Journey from employment to a Graduate Masters Programme |
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By Yvett Gong, MAM2025 So, you just graduated! You are excited, maybe a little nervous, and the world is your oyster... If you are anything like I was three years ago, you are probably wondering: Okay, now what? Or perhaps you’ve got a year or two of experience under your belt! You are feeling more confident, maybe a bit restless, and starting to ask bigger questions about the future and wondering: What’s next? No matter where you are in your journey, each stage presents its own crossroads and choices. It’s at these junctions that we craft our unique paths, in which when we look back, reveal themselves as pivotal moments. In this blog, I’ll take you through the three “junctions” I encountered over the past few years. From kickstarting a career in consulting to taking a leap back into a Masters in Analytics & Management (MAM) at LBS, my hope is to inspire reflection on your journey and provide some encouragement to embrace change, resilience, and growth. Moreover, if you’re considering an Early Career Master’s after some work experience, this might just be the nudge you need. Ready? Let’s dive in! Junction 1: Fresh Out of Uni – Now What? Figure out your short-term goal: the earliest opportunity to experience being a working professional in your “dream” job. Graduation was surreal, it felt like standing at the peak of possibility – but also like staring down a dizzying number of paths. My own journey began with the classic choice that many graduates face: should I continue learning or dive into the workforce? With a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia in Canada, I was surrounded by friends jumping straight into masters programmes. Business Analytics was all the rage at the time, but I wasn’t sure if the technical route was for me. So, I decided to start my career in strategy consulting, something I had dreamed of for years (yes, I was one of those kids). The decision to step into a full-time role was a reality check. Full-time experience wasn’t a mere extension of internships; it was a whole new world of responsibility, self-discovery, and a true test of my interest in consulting. Looking back, it was a critical turning point that clarified my future decisions about further study. So, standing at this junction, take a moment to ask, “what do I really want to learn about myself short-term?” Option 1: Continue education with a Graduate Masters Programme straight away [*]Buying Extra Time: Explore career options if you haven’t made up your mind[/*] [*]Deepen Expertise: Gain advanced knowledge in the chosen academic field[/*] [*]Pivot Academic Background: Build cross-disciplinary skills and pivot from undergrad degree[/*] [/list] Option 2: Kickstart career in consulting or other fields [*]Real-World Exposure: Get firsthand full-time experience that differs from internships significantly[/*] [*]Testing Career Fit: Find out if the “dream job” is truly so dreamy[/*] [*]Skill Discovery: Identify your strengths and practical skill gaps for further investment[/*] [/list] Junction 2: Two Years In – Skills Gaps and Growth Knowing your own professional persona, assessing skill gap, and the first taste of your desired workplace culture and corporate value Fast-forward two years and I found my stride in consulting. I genuinely enjoyed the work, from delivering technology and data strategy projects that assess organisational technology landscape, data management practices to evaluating AI readiness and crafting AI strategy. The growth opportunity was invaluable. However, like many consultants, the inevitable ‘imposter syndrome” kicked in. I found myself facing a realization – with every AI strategy discussion and data project, I began to sense that something was missing – a deeper analytical foundation and more forward-looking insights of technology and data to help me advise my client more confidently. Those two years also brought another insight: the importance of team culture and dynamics. Working with a team of truly intelligent, collaborative, and supportive colleagues and mentors and having given the opportunities to lead meetings, manage client relationships, represent the firm in panel discussions at recruitment events showed me the kind of workplace culture I wanted to seek and advocate for. This realisation about people and values turned into a guiding factor in my career pursuit later on. Food for thought: Option 1: Continue growing in my current role [*]Career Growth: Invest in building a career with trusted team and colleagues within the company[/*] [*]Professional Relationships: Strengthen and build lasting relationships with a compatible team[/*] [*]Hands-on Learning: Continuously gain practical experience from hand-on projects[/*] [/list] Option 2: Pursue a full-time Graduate Masters Programme at LBS [*]Focused Learning: A dedicated to systematically acquire targeted skills of interest[/*] [*]Career Pivot Opportunity: Ideal timing to explore a new direction early in my career[/*] [*]Global Perspective: Transition to a new location (e.g., from Canada to London) and gain a global outlook beyond one organisation, region, or industry[/*] [/list] Having chosen option 2, I realized that my full-time experience set me apart in multiple ways: [*]Career-Driven Motivation Statement: Full-time experience provides a strong foundation for a well-positioned, purpose-driven reason to pursue a specific programme[/*] [*]Clear Career Plan and Objectives: Work experience shapes a thoughtful, actionable career path with both short- and long-term goals[/*] [*]Leverage Real-Life Project Experience: Showcase complex, hands-on project work that adds depth beyond typical school or internship examples.[/*] [*]Dynamic Classroom Contribution: Being able to bring real-world insights and professional dynamics to elevate classroom discussions.[/*] [/list] Junction 3: What’s Happening Now & Next – Lessons In and Beyond the Classroom How full-time experience allows me to get the most out of the programme, stay true to my goals and values, and empower exploration of other career opportunities. Being part of the LBS community and a Graduate Masters Programme after two years in consulting is as fruitful as it gets. The work experience has shaped how I approach learning: every lecture, concept, or tool now feels like something I can connect directly to real-life scenarios. With clear goals in mind, learning feels grounded, purposeful, and I was able to identify and focus on the practical content that I can bring back to future projects. Socially, my work experience has also added depth to how I interact within the LBS community. I can approach networking and connections with a bit more focus and confidence. There’s comfort in knowing how to present myself, whether at LBS events or when interacting with MBA students and mentors with skills I’d honed in the workplace. But let’s be honest – LBS is no walk in the park, nor is the MAM. Between a demanding schedule, the pressure of job hunting from day one, the overwhelming FOMO of events, and the challenge of finding your own place in a mega city like London, there’s a lot to balance. This is why I’m grateful for the resilience and problem-solving mindset I gained through work. Handling high-pressure situations with a structured way of thinking, staying grounded during crisis, and adapting quickly have been invaluable skills in navigating the academic and social demands. Returning to school with a clear purpose to pivot careers is common among those with work experience. For me, having enjoyed two years in strategy consulting, I always wondered what else is out there. Investing in a Graduate Masters Programme at LBS opens the door to other opportunities. With the two years of consulting experience under my belt, I’ve felt encouraged to explore new career paths, such as innovation consulting and product management, knowing that my consulting background and the transferrable skills I acquired remains a solid foundation I can always rely on. Food for thought: Option 1: Continue in Strategy Consulting [*]Competitive Edge: Leverage the more advanced technical knowledge and deeper understanding in data & analytics, as well as a holistic global perspective[/*] [*]Leverage Existing Experience: Accelerate growth in a familiar field[/*] [*]New Perspectives: Work in a different country and company to gain fresh insights[/*] [/list] Option 2: Explore New Career Areas [*]Diverse Experience: Gain exposure to various industries or functions early in the career, adding flexibility and potential to future career path[/*] [*]Skill Diversification: Develop a broader skillset beyond typical consulting skills[/*] [*]End-to-End Perspective: Experience end-to-end project from strategizing through execution[/*] [/list] Final Thoughts: There Are No Right Choices, We Make Our Choices Right You probably noticed that I’ve listed some pretty convincing reasonings for each decision at each of these junctions, it is apparent that the choices weren’t always obvious or easy. Whether it was stepping into a full-time role, going back to school, or exploring new career paths, every decision required both courage and conviction. The biggest lesson is that there is no single “right” choice – only the choices we made right by fully committing fully, learning from every step, and adapting along the way. So, if you’re standing at your own crossroads, remember that “sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right.” Embrace the choice wholeheartedly, stay resilient, and trust that each choice will shape you in ways that will become clear only in hindsight. Here’s to making our own paths – and making them right. |
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08 Apr 2025, 07:00
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| FROM LBS MiF Admissions Blog: Navigating uncertainty in the pursuit of growth: Reflections from my time on the MiF at LBS |
By Christian Leon, MiFFT2025 Studying the Masters in Finance (MiF) at London Business School has made me think about the future. Since the very first class in September, over the last eight months, my thoughts about my future have evolved. As Joan Manuel Serrat says in his evocative song “Caminante no hay camino”, (‘Traveller, there is no road’), we build our path as we walk it, through life, whether that path is personal or professional. These lyrics encapsulate what it has been like studying the programme. When I was flying from Peru to London, I believed my professional path was clearly defined, with little room for change. Let me confess... I was mistaken. The courses, especially the electives, have opened my mind to new people and areas of finance that had never truly piqued my interest before. After engaging lectures, world-class guest speakers, and conversations with classmates who bring deep expertise from all corners of the globe, I felt inspired to explore new fields that were unfamiliar to me and to reorientate my goals accordingly. Adding to this academic and professional transformation has been the cultural richness that surrounds life at LBS. London’s energy and historical depth (emphasis on the music history of London), blended with the vibrant diversity of the student body, have made this journey even more rewarding. From learning basic phrases in Japanese or Hindi to cooking traditional meals with friends from across the world, these simple yet meaningful experiences have enriched my perspective in ways I couldn’t have imagined. They’ve reminded me that personal growth often happens in between the lectures, in shared laughs, new customs, and moments of cultural exchange. This journey has, at times, been disorientating, but immensely fulfilling. Whether it’s sharing a Guinness near Regent’s Park with good friends or exploring new corners of England over the weekends, the experience has been as joyful as it has been transformative. What once felt like a very puzzling Rubik’s cube has slowly begun to take shape. And while I can’t say for certain that I’ll leave the programme with all the colours perfectly aligned, I’ve come to appreciate the process just as much as the outcome. For that, I’m profoundly grateful to LBS, to the people I’ve met, and to the new paths that now lie ahead, waiting to be walked. |
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19 Jun 2025, 10:00
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| FROM LBS MiM Admissions Blog: A Global Experience week in Vietnam: Exploring entrepreneurship in an emerging market with LBS |
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By Cesar Savino, MiM2025 When applying to London Business School’s MiM programme, I spoke with alumni to better understand what the LBS experience was. During my conversations, one thing stood out: the Global Experience (GE), which was always described as a transformative and impactful learning opportunity. I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself and when I finally did, it became a true milestone, if not the highlight of my own MiM journey. What is the GE? The GE is an immersive international programme available to all graduate students. It allows each student to explore a faculty designed theme in an international setting. providing the chance to meet and visit great leaders, entrepreneurs, CEOs, startups, banks and many more. It is a great opportunity to see how what you have learned in class is applied in a real-world context and to better understand specific industry landscapes. The Vietnam GE: Exploring entrepreneurship in an emerging market Among a long list of GEs offered across all continents, Vietnam stood out to me as a great choice! This GE was focused on how the Vietnamese economy is becoming more and more favourable for entrepreneurship and how founders operate in this ever-changing landscape. This was very interesting to me as, like many students, I want to pursue an entrepreneurial journey after my consulting career. I had never explored this part of Asia, and it reshaped my perspective on what it takes to build a business as well as the opportunity to do it so far away from Europe. From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh: A Cultural Journey Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation  Our week began in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the very south of the country, the city was a testimony to Vietnam’s development over the past years with skyscrapers and new infrastructure everywhere, whilst it kept a traditional atmosphere in smaller streets with smaller local markets and restaurants. Our first event was a Founder’s Panel, where entrepreneurs such as Stephen Turban, Harvard and McKinsey Alumni, explained how and why they chose to settle in Vietnam to conduct their entrepreneurial ventures. What was immersive about this experience is that everyone could very much relate to the successful people who were in front of us as the LBS community is full of ambitious students. One of the entrepreneurs explained to us how traditional “boring” businesses are actually full of opportunity in emerging markets as she was running an online mattress business and was called the “Queen of sleep” by her peers, which gave me a new lens through which to approach entrepreneurship Moreover, we were invited by the British consulate in Vietnam for networking drinks. This was a great occasion to connect with important players of this emerging market and understand better what the country’s dynamics are, as well as to talk about LBS with prospective Vietnamese students. Our journey did not stop there as we then travelled to Hanoi. There, we were able to visit the offices of Techcombank, a leading Bank in the country, as well as attending a talk from the CEO Jens Lottner, who gave us a detailed overview of what the banking landscape in Vietnam is and how digitalized it is becoming. We also got lunch at the American Chamber of Commerce with a panel of American stakeholders in Vietnam, which was particularly insightful in understanding how US-Vietnam relations have evolved since the war. Overall, the Vietnam GE was an enriching experience for me. It combined cultural exploration with both entrepreneurial and corporate business insights. It opened my eyes to the potential of emerging markets and gave me a fresh perspective on what it means to build a business in a global context. Beyond Business: The People, Places, and Shared Memories Outside the classrooms and talks, what truly shapes the Global Experience is the people you meet along the way. The GE is a unique opportunity to create meaningful connections that often turn into lifelong friendships. Everyone is given free time to explore the country, embrace the local culture, and share those moments with fellow students. Doing this alongside your peers adds a whole new layer to the experience—one that goes beyond business insights. Whether it’s navigating bustling markets, enjoying street food, or simply reflecting on the day’s visits over dinner, these shared memories are what make the GE truly unforgettable. Without a doubt, you’ll leave with friends from across all LBS programmes and memories that will stay with you long after the trip ends.  |
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