"At IBE my dream of strategy consulting became clear."
What did you study at JSBE?
I did a bachelor's degree in management and an international master's degree in IBE (international business and entrepreneurship). Officially my minors were information systems, the basics of communication and media, but I also supplemented my major studies with individual courses on topics that interested me. I recommend this approach to everyone: study what interests you, try and experiment without stressing about whether your degree will progress or not.
How have you progressed on your career path?
I started working in the field of my studies, in my current positions directly after graduation. Before university, I did contact center work full-time for 2.5 years. Although moving to a different location, while studying I continued in similar positions during the summers. I applied for a few career positions in my field, but I couldn't focus on the applications in addition to my studies and I kept my main focus on my studies. Through coincidences, I became a research assistant at the university in two times during my studies.
At the end of my bachelor's degree, I asked myself the most important question: What do I really enjoy and what do I want to do more in the future? The answer directed me to IBE and that's where my dream became clear: strategy consulting. When the dream became clear, the path to get there began to take shape. First, I got into McKinsey's Next Generation Women Leaders program, which is a not-paid position, but is a good prospect to consulting and an excellent networking opportunity. Finally, after a year of trying and 4 months after graduation, I got my current job, which is exactly what I was looking for and what I dreamed of.
Today, I work as a strategy analyst at Accenture in the Strategy & Consulting function. In my work, I work in various projects that are each more interesting that the previous one. In my work, I love its dynamism and the daily problem solving.
How did your studies prepare you for working life and what things you learned have been most useful in working life?
IBE's "core master's courses" have been the most useful. Corporate Finance courses and even basic Accounting courses are also important. In addition, Negotiation Skills/Speech Communication as well as Communication and Persuasion are golden in my opinion. I often think back in my mind on those "self-evident" lessons learned from those courses. The usefulness depends a lot on what interests you and what jobs you want to do in the future. As a student, there is not always a clear answer to the latter, and therefore it is worth following what interests you. At least you don't end up in courses or jobs where you don't enjoy yourself.
Moral of the story: Do (and study) what you love!
