Alumni Voices: Master’s in Marketing

As part of the QS World University Rankings: Global MBA Rankings 2019 and the QS Business Masters Rankings 2019, we spoke to thousands of graduates worldwide about their business school programs and experiences.

Below, we hear from three students who are recent master’s in marketing graduates from some of the best business schools in the world, who tell us about the highs and lows of their experience as well as providing helpful advice for future applicants.

Chandler Nunez graduated with a master’s in marketing from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. She is currently working as a data scientist in the software industry, at tech giants Microsoft.

How did you decide on the business school in which you ultimately enrolled?

The University of Texas was always my first choice. I loved the faculty that was leading the program, and I didn't want to leave Austin.

What was the best and/or most unexpected part of your graduate school experience?

The relationships I built with my professors. I didn't know that professors could even know your name in class, let alone that you could become friends with them. The smaller class sized allowed me to get to know my professors really well and I love catching up with them and brainstorming whenever I visit campus.

What were the most valuable skills that you gained from your program?

I learned to think strategically as a business leader. Marketers are great at being customer obsessed and I feel that as someone who has taken a more technical route, that thinking is my secret weapon.

How would you describe your return on investment from earning your degree?

Incredible. I am currently making three times my salary before the program. I think I could pay off my student loans pretty quickly, but the interest rate is lower than the growth rate on my savings so why would I do that?

If you could have changed one thing about your experience what would it have been?

I would have liked more preparation from career services and more informed employers.

The admissions process can be quite a daunting experience. What would be your top tip for candidates to enable them to excel when applying for business schools?

Know why you want to be at the school you are applying for. You can be the smartest person with the best test scores but if you don't know why you are applying, neither will the admissions committee. Passionate people will excel in business school and that's who they want to admit.

Denis Klimanov studied for a master’s in marketing at Moscow’s National Research University Higher School of Economics, graduating in 2013. He is now the head of sales force effectiveness and CRM at Teva Pharmaceuticals in Russia.

How did you decide on the business school in which you ultimately enrolled?

I studied at the same university for my undergraduate, so didn't change it for pursuing my master's degree. However, the key reason was the outstanding reputation of the Higher School of Economics among business practitioners – it’s a well-known university which attracts attention of recruiters from many companies (both Russian and international).

What was the best and/or most unexpected part of your graduate school experience?

The best was the ability to interact with many top-level business practitioners throughout the studies as we had many projects sponsored by different companies, e.g. business case studies and championships. Also, I made many useful acquaintances which I continue utilizing up till now.

What were the most valuable skills that you gained from your program?

The most important are: critical knowledge and a better understanding of marketing management theory and practice, useful frameworks for the structuring of marketing information and producing meaningful outcomes and practical application of accumulated knowledge (such as writing my master’s thesis).

How would you describe your return on investment from earning your degree?

The ROI in my case is positive, reflected first of all in my career path. I am currently leading the department in a multinational pharmaceutical company that is responsible for developing new products and increasing the effectiveness of existing sales and marketing tools.

If you could have changed one thing about your experience what would it have been?

I would have started my professional career even earlier (I actually did it only during the third year of my university studies).

Maria Palla graduated from Imperial College Business School’s master’s in marketing program in 2016. She is now working for Sky as an Insights Manager.

How did you decide on the business school in which you ultimately enrolled?

I looked into UK universities because of their prestige and because, having grown up in the US, I can attest to the quality in approach of Anglo-Saxon education. I looked at university rankings and then at every specific program within each university. Imperial College London was my first choice because of their scientific approach to marketing, which - in my eyes - elevated the quality of the program by offering an MSc rather than an MA.

What was the best and/or most unexpected part of your graduate school experience?

The best part was the quality of the cohort (academically, professionally and personally) and the professors, as well as discovering new roles and areas of marketing that I could specialize in. The most unexpected was finding the love of my life!

What were the most valuable skills that you gained from your program?

Research skills are crucial, and the MSc helped me develop these. Soft skills such as team work and giving presentations have also proven extremely useful.

How would you describe your return on investment from earning your degree?

The ROI is positive and quick: I managed to get a job right after graduating and have been evolving my roles and positions successfully ever since. It gave me direct access to the UK job market and opened the door to a vast and interesting network of alumni.

If you could have changed one thing about your experience what would it have been?

I wouldn't change a thing.

The admissions process can be quite a daunting experience. What would be your top tip for candidates to enable them to excel when applying for business schools?

I would tell candidates to really know what their strengths and USPs are. What can they bring to the university and to the program that no one else can? How are they attractive to a potential employer? Business schools will be looking at that to guarantee they have the most interesting and diverse cohort possible, so know your strengths and value.