Nikolaos Katsaros

About you

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

Since 2018, I have managed several independent, as well as big chain pharmacies in London and in South East England. My most recent employment, and the one on which I focused most of my professional expertise, was management of Chelsea Pharmacy in London. I was also employed by BUPA Cromwell Hospital as a bank pharmacist within the outpatient pharmacy department.

Although it has only been six years since my career started, I have gained experience by being both an employer and an employee. This has allowed room for my communication skills to fully develop resulting in the creation of robust professional partnerships. Currently, I am aiming to leverage my accumulated knowledge of the healthcare industry and pursue a career in management and strategy consulting.

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

Having had experience in business management, I was in search of a programme which would hone my skills and capabilities in business development and market analysis. Being a healthcare professional, I was more interested in doing so through a programme which would target the healthcare industry.

By discussing with friends and colleagues about my objectives, I discovered the MSc International Health Management programme which, at first, seemed to be too good to be true. I was instantly intrigued by what the programme promised to deliver. My interest was considerably reinforced due to the global recognition that Imperial College Business School holds as one of the most successful academic institutions. To date, I truly believe that it has been the best academic investment I have ever made.

The programme delivers premium education through the introduction of versatile modules aiming at setting the foundations for several career paths. On top of this, through participation in team-oriented, real-life projects, students experience the core value of the programme and acquire skills that can be leveraged to boost their prospective careers.

"The programme delivers premium education through the introduction of versatile modules aiming at setting the foundations for several career paths."

Programme

What aspects of the programme do you enjoy the most?

During the first term the programme focuses on defining the fundamentals of business management, and aims at addressing key business operations. These include elements of business strategy, marketing and accounting.

In the second term the programme adopts an entirely healthcare specialised approach with modules that focus on subjects such as public health and analysis of healthcare systems. Considering healthcare’s complexity as an industry, this smooth academic progression enables students to thoroughly perceive and master the knowledge presented to them at each stage of the academic year.

What has been the most rewarding part of the programme?

In two words: the people. The nature of the programme predominantly attracts students who hold pre-existing professional backgrounds in healthcare and, those who do not, aspire to follow a career within the industry. On the day my cohort started the programme, Dr Benita Cox, the programme’s Academic Director and one of the loveliest individuals the students have had the opportunity to meet, told us that in healthcare most objectives are achieved collectively and it is rare for solo players to be successful.

What has been the most challenging part of the programme?

The programme is a Master’s degree, and it is therefore formulated to offer exclusive information and knowledge to its attendees. On this account, students who do not have preceding experience with a particular subject or module of the programme may be required to self-manage knowledge gaps to achieve higher grades. All module leaders acknowledge occurrence of such circumstances and provide adequate sources which students can refer to at their own time. Another aspect of the programme that can be particularly demanding is the fact that it is very fast-paced. Hence, to maximise efficiency and to be able to meet deadlines, students need to be prepared to fully utilise their organisational and time-management skills.

Opportunities

What has been the greatest opportunity you have had at Imperial?

The greatest opportunity was the ability to attend several online networking events. Networking is an aspect of the programme that the pandemic has affected the most. However, both programme leaders and career consultants made sure to expose students to as many prospective employers as possible.

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

Students at Imperial College Business School are granted access to Careers, a service through which they can book one-to-one appointments with career consultants. Through this service, students can receive advice on how to construct an immaculate CV and cover letter. Careers also organise unique events which aim at connecting students with several organisations, and coordinate workshops that focus on improving specific skills.

How have you benefited from being part of the wider Imperial College London STEM community?

Joining Imperial is a unique experience for multiple reasons. The institute’s facilities and administration are second to none and their value is evident across all campuses. Imperial College Business School signifies exactly what its name represents. It provides all means required for developing a passion for business-related activities.

"The institute’s facilities and administration are second to none and their value is evident across all campuses."

Career

What are your future career goals and how have they been realised since being at Imperial?

My career objective is to become a management/strategy consultant within the healthcare industry. I envisaged following this career path before enrolling to the programme, however, my interest in doing so has gradually increased over the course of the year. As a consultant, I will be actively engaged in issues that affect patient outcomes, as well as be challenged to produce vigorous and long-lasting solutions. Another aspect of healthcare consulting which I enjoy is that it encompasses great project versatility. Examples are market access, market research and framework construction and projects that are directly linked to big pharmaceutical companies.

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

Careers offers unique expertise and advice to prospective job candidates which immensely increases chances to be interviewed. They provide a range of services, from CV construction to effective tailoring of a student’s LinkedIn account. Above all, they offer one-to-one interview practice sessions which can be utilised upon receival of a candidate’s invitation to interview. These services have substantially aided me in landing several interviews for which I am currently preparing for.

London Location

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

London is a global crossroad where people with versatile ethnic and academic backgrounds interact with each other daily, thus creating an information sharing network. The city is constantly within a transformative state out of which opportunities develop and there is no sign of stagnation.  Anticipating and grasping such opportunities is exactly what led me to join the outpatient pharmacy department within Cromwell Hospital. In London, the networking capacity is endless.

Tips

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

Before joining the programme, I attended the online information session which analysed the programme’s goals and objectives. I highly suggest prospective students attend as many events as they possibly can. It is a unique opportunity to source information on what the programme they are interested in will be delivering.

All things considered, I would advise them to not think twice and hit the apply button.