Caroline Meng

Why did you decide to study MSc International Management at Imperial College Business School? 

Given my science background, I decided to join the Business School because I wanted to broaden my business acumen before pursuing my career. I chose Imperial specifically because I believed the School’s expertise in science would allow me to bridge the gap between management and science. As a student who is always keen to learn, I wanted to keep my options open at an early stage of my career, so I thought I broad degree like MSc International Management would allow me to explore the various roles and functions in business. 

Did you receive a scholarship? 

Yes, I unexpectedly received a scholarship. I remembered ticking the ‘to be considered for a scholarship’ box before submitting my application just to try my luck, but I had never imagined receiving one. Not only does receiving a scholarship help alleviate some of the financial burden (especially living in London) but being a scholarship student also means you are invited to exclusive events and networking opportunities. My advice for those considering a scholarship is to just try! Showcase your passion and skills as much as possible and, most importantly, be authentic. 

Which has been your favourite module so far and why? 

My favourite module so far is Product and Brand Management from the first semester. Marketing has never been a field I considered but the creativity and strategy involved in the field made me decide to switch from a career in consulting to product marketing within the technology sector. 

How would you describe your cohort at Imperial? 

Fun, smart, supportive and humble. As a science undergraduate, with my business knowledge coming from my work experience, I could not have survived the degree without the support from my peers and I am truly grateful for that.  

Which workshops, events or guest lectures at the school have been useful in developing your skills and knowledge? 

I’ve found the Careers team extremely helpful in developing my career journey and personal growth. The School provides various career workshops ranging from events hosted by top recruiters to in-person CV workshops. These workshops have given me the opportunity to discover different career opportunities and build on my existing skills to strengthen my position in the job market.   

"These workshops have given me the opportunity to discover different career opportunities and build on my existing skills to strengthen my position in the job market."

What clubs, societies or other activities have you been involved in at Imperial? 

I have taken advantage of the leadership positions at Imperial because I learn best through practical experiences. This year, I become a student ambassador for the MSc International Management programme and I am also the PR Director for the Asia Business Club. These positions have given me the opportunity to develop my interpersonal skills and extend my social network. 

What are your future career goals? 

My current career goal is to find a marketing position within the tech industry, preferably a startup, specifically focusing on UX design and market research. 

Do you think studying in a central location such as London is beneficial for networking and career opportunities? 

Studying in a diverse city like London has provided me with various networking opportunities, including people from my home country. I think being able to immerse myself in an international environment is essential to developing my cultural awareness especially as the world becomes increasingly globalised. 

If you had to move to London for the programme, where did you decide to live? 

I live in a serviced apartment on Sloane Avenue, which is a 15-minute walk away from school. I chose to live nearby as I knew I’d spend a lot of time at School due to the group work and extracurriculars that I was involved in. My advice for those who are planning to move into London is to look for your accommodation as early as possible since the demand for housing in London is extremely high! Find a place close to a tube station or bus stop as well since the weather can be quite rough especially during the winter season. 

Looking back to when you were applying for the programme, did you attend any online webinars or on-campus information sessions? 

Before applying for the programme, I attended most of the online webinars the School hosted and asked a lot of questions during the sessions! I wanted to get as much information about the Business School and programme as possible. Attending these events was extremely useful in writing up an application that best showcased my achievement and how I was a good fit for the programme. As a science undergraduate, applying for a management degree was quite daunting but talking to prospective students made me feel a lot more confident. 

I would highly recommend anyone who is considering applying to Imperial to join at least one of the online webinars. I know that Imperial commits a lot of effort and time in hosting these events so do take advantage of them! 

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

My advice for prospective students is to first reflect on your short and long-term career goals to understand what you want to achieve and how the degree will help you achieve these ambitions. Additionally, I would look through the programme website and have a thorough understanding of what the programme entails including the primers, core modules and electives. I think I browsed the programme webpage more than 30 times during my application process. 

And please don’t be afraid to ask the student ambassadors questions! As an ambassador myself, I am confident to say that we are all extremely friendly and supportive. Another piece of advice I would give to prospective students is to understand how you will utilise Imperial’s resources and take advantage of them while being a student here. The Business School has tremendous leadership opportunities and resources for you to excel in your personal and career journey, so make sure you note that in your application as well.