Noor Shahid

About you

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

During my undergraduate degree, I had a summer internship at Nestle in an Associate E-Commerce Sales role. I worked on the development and deployment of retail digital media in collaboration with e partners and internal stakeholders across 15 brands  After graduating, I joined a local fashion startup in Lahore and was able to make an impact as a Digital Marketing and Social Media Content Specialist. I worked on creating the brand’s first paid media strategies, as well as crafting the brand identity and the launch of a new sportswear line. I also got to work on the creative side, coming up with social media campaigns and overseeing photo shoots and digital content to align with new launches.

Why did you decide to study MSc Strategic Marketing at Imperial College Business School?

I’ve always known I wanted to work in marketing in some way or another. I’m passionate about building brands and connecting with customers through creative communication and storytelling. Based on that, after two years of work experience, I knew I wanted to move from the technical side of marketing to a more strategic perspective. This would help me gain knowledge across a variety of functions I wasn’t otherwise exposed to, building a holistic context for future roles. After working closely with data, I knew I wanted to build a construct of an analytical and quantitative baseline to compliment my creative streak. With its strong reputation, ranking and data-focused curriculum, I was confident the MSc Strategic Marketing at Imperial College Business School would open doors in terms of where I could take my career. The added perk of a central London location definitely helps as well, with a host of industry connections and events nearby that would help in building a strong network across industries.

"With its strong reputation, ranking and data-focused curriculum, I was confident the MSc Strategic Marketing at Imperial College Business School would open doors in terms of where I could take my career."

Did you receive a scholarship?

I received the Dean’s Impact Scholarship for social impact! Besides covering a large portion of the tuition (which made the decision to study at Imperial that much easier), this scholarship allowed me to connect with a cohort of other talented scholarship winners across a range of programmes. The most important thing for future applicants to keep in mind is to be authentic and genuine when telling your story and connect it to your future goals in a way that makes sense.  

Programme

Which has been your favourite module so far and why?

My favourite module so far has been Strategic Market Management because of its real-world applicability. Although challenging, the module required us to dive into current business news and events, up-and-coming industries and start-ups, and established companies with a theoretical foundation that I still find myself applying to the business world around me. James Eteen made sure to only cover topics he has actually used in his consulting experience, so we were confident we were studying hands-on concepts rather than frameworks that never leave the pages of a textbook. Class discussions were always engaging and thought-provoking, and definitely gave us all a lot to bring up in future interviews or networking coffee chats! 

What has been the most rewarding part of the programme?

I’d say the most rewarding part of the programme has definitely been being able to apply theory to practical examples, whether that’s through group projects, individual assignments, case studies or learning from professionals. It’s been super interesting viewing campaigns from a managerial perspective, and all the modules tie in really well with each other so we’re able to apply learnings across the whole programme at the same time. We receive extensive feedback from lecturers as well, so we’re able to learn and adapt clearly when it comes to our thought processes. The more you engage with the programme, the more benefits you uncover, so I’d say the opportunities to connect with and learn from industry leaders and guest lecturers for real-world examples have by far been the most enriching!

"I’d say the most rewarding part of the programme has definitely been being able to apply theory to practical examples, whether that’s through group projects, individual assignments, case studies or learning from professionals."

What has been the most challenging part of the programme?

Group projects have definitely been challenging because of the extensive commitment required across all modules while aligning with group members across varying backgrounds. Since we work with the same group across all modules term by term, it’s important to make sure working styles and schedules are aligned and agreed upon initially. While this aspect of the programme has been challenging, it has also turned into one of the most rewarding. We’ve been able to craft ideas around topics and industries we are excited about, and it’s been satisfying seeing it all come together into a project every member is proud of.

Have you had opportunities to work/socialise with students across programmes within the Business School?

There have been so many chances to connect with people across the Business School! As a Student Ambassador, I was invited to Student Leadership Day where I met students in fellow leadership positions across different programmes. I was also invited to the scholarship dinner recently and was introduced to multiple inspiring fellow students excelling in their own spheres. I also took part in the Coffee Chat scheme, which randomly connects two students from the School to share experiences and insights over coffee! 

Tips

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

I’d recommend reading through module descriptions, the programme structure and talking to alumni across industries about their experiences to fully understand if this is something you want to pursue. It’s also important to visualise your future career goals and see how this programme, which is definitely a huge time and monetary investment, will tie into those.

Finally, the most important advice is to not proceed in a silo – have discussions with current students, alumni, those in career paths you want to pursue – everyone has unique experiences to be shared that can provide extensive insights for your own decisions.

But overall, if you have a passion for all things marketing and branding, then this is definitely the place to realise that!