Calvin Seibl

About you

What work experience did you have before beginning with Imperial College Business School?

I joined Imperial College Business School with four years’ work experience. I have been in my current global sales and marketing role for almost two years, where I develop business relationships with key clients across the globe. Before that I completed the international trainee programme at my company which took me, for six months each, to our subsidiaries in the USA, Vietnam and Australia. I started my career with an internship at our global HQ in Germany after completing my undergraduate degree.

Why did you decide to study an MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time) at Imperial College Business School?

I was looking for ways to upskill and grow my global network without sacrificing my career and income development. As a prestigious institution with world-renowned faculty and alumni, Imperial felt like a good fit for me. Imperial’s emphasis on the harmonies between technology and business will set the foundations for my career in a tech-driven world. The diverse student body spanning the entire globe offers new perspectives on the tough questions business and society are facing. In addition, the award-winning and renowned educational faculty ensures we are up to date on the latest research and trends with applications to real business cases, to deepen my knowledge and conceive winning strategies that shape organisations.

Programme

What aspects of the programme do you most enjoy the most?

I enjoy how the academic side of the programme is structured. There are weekly sessions, activities, and also group work, covering the different sections in each module. We are able to download and digest the materials at our own pace and on our own terms. This ensures everyone has the opportunity to study and absorb content in the best possible way for themselves. The self-study sessions are supplemented by live classes conducted online. This is where we can apply our new knowledge in open discussions and cross-pollinate thoughts. I log off from each live class with deeper understanding of the content thanks to other students’ inputs. All in it’s a highly supportive and collaborative environment.

Which has been your favourite module so far and why?

It’s tough to choose, but perhaps the most practical module so far has been Digital Marketing with Daniel Rowles. Daniel runs his own digital marketing agency with a client list of household names. We got to experiment with all the tools and strategies his team use daily, adding his expert description to the valuable insights each tool creates and its applications for brands. His ability to link module content with real-life stories and anecdotes illuminated our minds to how theories play out in the real world.

What has been the most rewarding part of the programme?

To have played a small role in each students’ education journey. As collaboration is a core value, we often build on each other’s ideas and, as a team, tend to end up with something much smarter than each individual could have come up with by themselves. To participate in these collaborative projects sparks in such diverse groups is a joy.

Have you found the programme learnings to be directly applicable to your role?

Yes indeed! Already in the first term I was able to apply the strategy canvas from Strategic Market Management in my role. By using this tool, we are able to quickly and easily identify a company’s competitive positioning and unique value propositions amongst key factors determining purchase behaviour in a targeted segment. With these insights, we are able to play to our strengths when engaging customers and devise strategies to mitigate advantages competitors may currently enjoy.

How have you found studying on The Hub?

I used to hate having to read through a huge textbook chapter by chapter combing through paragraphs to hopefully find something useful. The Hub changes all that. Specially trained EdTech designers work with the module leaders to bring content into the 21st century. Videos, exercises, and forums bring coursework and knowledge to life and everything is accessible 24/7, offering you the flexibility you require.

Career

How did the services from Careers help in your professional development/securing employment?

The Careers team offers a wide range of support for your career development toolkit. There are myriad opportunities to make yourself more employable and/or more promotable and I have personally benefitted from workshops preparing me for new work. For example, how to professionally present yourself on webcam and conduct effective meetings online by exploiting new capabilities which are only possible digitally.

Tips

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about applying for the programme?

Reach out! Imperial College Business School ensures you have access to as many staff and student contact points as possible to help your journey. Not long ago I was in the exact same place you are now and connecting with the actual people involved is the best way to know where you feel you belong.

The rest is in your hands!