How MSc Strategic Marketing has shaped me

Our MSc Strategic Marketing leverages the Business School's top marketing faculty and experts in strategy, entrepreneurship, and technology. The programme uniquely integrates marketing fundamentals with cutting-edge technology and data-driven decision-making. Suhani Gupta, a MSc Strategic Marketing student, shares her reflections on the enriching journey of studying this dynamic programme.

The MSc Strategic Marketing programme has given me a global perspective and showed that possibilities are endless, so keep on expanding your horizons.

London, a city rich in history and innovation, where cobblestone streets echo with countless tales. Just as Arthur Conan Doyle brought Sherlock Holmes' adventures to life on these very streets, my own journey began when I joined Imperial College Business School.

Choosing Imperial College Business School

With an engineering background and a stint at a top management consulting firm, I felt there were still missing pieces in my career puzzle. It became clear that marketing was the key to completing that picture.

Applying to the MSc Strategic Marketing at Imperial was a clear choice. It has turned out to be the ideal blend of everything I had envisioned. While the prestigious ranking and the Imperial's esteemed reputation are significant draws, what truly sets this programme apart is its comprehensive approach. It’s not merely marketing; it’s a fusion of strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. As I look back on my journey so far, here are my reflections. 

Embracing the unknown

Embrace the unknown there and take risks. Initially daunting, I had to step out of my comfort zone to improve in areas where I felt less confident. The programme has helped me enhance my presentation and time management skills and take on leadership roles, fostering personal growth and newfound confidence in my abilities.

I always thought marketing was just about creativity, but as I near the end of my programme, I realised it’s much more layered. MSc Strategic Marketing has taught us to think strategically and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, preparing us to be future leaders. It has made me even more curious and observant. Staying abreast of industry trends and continuously learning new skills is crucial to staying ahead in our careers.

 

Learning at Imperial

There will be opportunities for you to choose your electives, to fill gaps in your knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed electives like Effective Crisis Management and Market Decision Making which were different from what I had studied and gave me an insight into what goes behind building a successful business. Apart from this, it is imperative to make the right choice for the summer term. I opted for a consulting project from the other options available because I wanted to apply my learnings to a practical setup and working with a client like Pladis, one of the largest biscuit manufacturers in the world has been one of the most rewarding experiences. 

Learning at Imperial goes well beyond the classroom. Since the beginning, I have been actively involved in various clubs, holding positions such as Chief Marketing Officer for the India Business Careers Club and Head of Retail for the FMCG, Luxury, and Retail Careers Club. I also dedicated time to volunteering for Imperial-supported events and social causes. Additionally, I enjoyed the opportunity to choreograph for the annual cultural event of the Indian Society. This involvement has not only enriched my educational journey but also equipped me with leadership skills and provided invaluable exposure to diverse aspects of student life, making my experience fulfilling.

Team work

We’ve all heard the saying "Teamwork makes the Dream work," a significant portion of the coursework here revolves around group projects but experiencing it first-hand was more challenging than I expected. Collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective, has been both intellectually stimulating and humbling. It required mastering the art of unlearning and relearning, more than just dividing tasks—it’s been about leveraging each person’s unique strengths to achieve a common goal. And, in this journey, you come to realise that your team members often become lifelong friends.

Value of Networking

You quickly learn that "one's network is their net worth." The programme provides countless avenues like Career fairs, and guest sessions, allowing you to forge strong relationships with leaders you look up to. A standout experience for me was the CMP lectures delivered by the industry experts that helped build a deeper understanding of several topics and breakfast with board events during the Woman@Imperial Week, where sessions offered the chance to engage in profound conversations with trailblazing women. 

The MSc Strategic Marketing programme has given me a global perspective and showed that possibilities are endless, so keep on expanding your horizons. Don’t come here only for just world-class rankings, groundbreaking research or industry-rooted courses, Imperial is about a transformational journey that prepares you for life and this journey for me has been the culmination of a childhood dream and I would do it all over again.