LBS MBA Admissions & Related Blogs : LBS - Page 19

Jan 3 at 10:00am

Jan 5 at 10:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: My Student Club Experiences as a Masters in Management Student

By Peidong Song, MiM 2023 London Business School (LBS) is more than a business school; it is a vibrant community and a welcoming family. With members from all corners of the globe, the student clubs play a vital role in celebrating differences and the mix of cultures, minds, and interests. Here, not only will you be able to pursue your career aspirations, find new hobbies, explore common interests, and establish new friendships – you will also be able to make long-lasting relationships with like-minded people who are equally committed to driving societal advancements. Student clubs are accessible and open for all to join. There are over 80 student clubs across of wide range of interests, with regular events that are held continually throughout the year. To join, you simply register and attend the kick-off events held within the first month of the academic year, where club leaders share the clubs’ plans for the year and how you can get involved. I am a member of the DACH(Germany, Austria and Switzerland) Club, which allows me to connect freely with DACH students across all cohorts. I am also a member of the China Club, which is a melting pot of people from various age groups and professional backgrounds. I also joined the Snow Club, which brings all skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts together. Furthermore, the Investment Management and Finance clubs offer a variety of valuable networking opportunities and career advice from industry professionals for students interested in the financial services industry. Some clubs also send out study opportunities and invites to club-specific professional networking sessions. I had the pleasure of attending the Financial Modelling courses as well as being invited by the LBS China Club to attend the Net East Asia networking event at Morgan Stanley. Along with insightful courses, networking opportunities, a career-oriented approach, multi-faceted student clubs, and a vibrant community, London Business School offers a unique and holistic education experience to which one truly feels one belongs. My highlights At the DACH Club meet-up, I had the opportunity of being introduced to a wide range of people from different cohorts. I met and exchanged stories with a group of charismatic individuals in an amiable setting. I was truly amazed by how diverse the group was, with people coming from different industries globally. At a recent China Club meet-up, members were invited to take part in a great evening at a local hot-pot restaurant. Like the other clubs, I was greeted by smiling faces and engaged with talented peers who challenged and fueled my desire to learn more about other people’s origins and backgrounds. Find out more about student activities, clubs and groups at LBS here.

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Jan 6 at 09:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: My First Term Reflections on the Masters in Management and Analytics Programme

By Drishti Hoskote, MAM 2023 My first term at LBS was nothing short of a rollercoaster. We had everything from exams, assignments, and group projects to mixers, networking events, and parties. The air is always bustling with ambition, talent, and a mix of cultures. It is overwhelming, but in a good way – it always pushes me to outdo myself and keep learning. I’ve met people from Russia, Lebanon, Slovenia, France, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Singapore, and so many other countries. It’s incredibly fascinating and eye-opening to see the cultural differences and similarities in traditions and food, but at the same time, it is extremely heartwarming to see how accepting and open-minded most people are. Academics Academically, the course was extremely rigorous. But first, meet my class: the MAM 2023 cohort. We had about 10 core courses that taught me not just subject matter, but also teamwork and time management due to tight deadlines. Our courses were a mix of both analytics and management subjects, leaning slightly towards business analytics. Every time we worked in groups, we applied what we had learned in class. We were put into study groups, where we worked with a diverse set of students from different parts of the world with different educational backgrounds. They all had different perspectives from mine, so it was a great opportunity for me to learn. We grew to get along as a team, stepping up when someone else was busy. I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the group. Recruitment Events The LBS Career Centre hosts a range of recruitment events throughout the year. Coming from a non-business background, recruitment events were extremely beneficial for me. They were opportunities for me to understand the company, work culture, and people better. Most employer presentations had LBS graduates who are presently employed there, and as always, they were incredibly kind and open to any inquiries regarding the hiring procedure. Additionally, networking opportunities at recruitment events are fantastic for meeting people who share your professional goals. The career coaches also formed a vital part of my job search. They were very supportive and provided guidance with regard to my CV, cover letter, and interview preparation. Club Events and Sundowners There are multiple club events organised throughout the year. These events are either academically/professionally inclined or are networking events/parties. A few events that stood out to me the most were the Student Association parties, Salsa dance classes, networking with LBS incubator’s start-ups and understanding opportunities for involvement, Tech and Media conference, the Diwali Ball, and the Santa Crawl! These experiences have definitely left me with a plethora of cherished recollections. And of course, the sundowners! Sundowners are themed social events organised by various clubs at LBS, that offer free food and beverages to everyone. Yes, it is as exciting as it sounds. Overall, the first semester was unlike anything I could have imagined. In retrospect, it forced me to overcome obstacles I didn’t think I could overcome and pushed me daily to reach new limits. Feel free to reach out to me via email at dhoskote.mam2023@london.edu, I’m happy to help!

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Jan 6 at 10:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: My First Term Reflections on the Masters in Financial Analysis Programme

By Andrei Petrescu, MFA 2023 Thought-provoking classes, ambitious classmates, endless networking opportunities, fascinating professors, spontaneous travel, surprising offers, frustrating rejections, loads of coffee, and plenty of inspiring people. Without capturing absolutely everything, that was Term 1 at London Business School for me. Let me walk you through some of the highlights of the past four months. Social Life You begin making connections at London Business School much earlier than you might think. Once you receive your offer, you will gain access to the admits communication channel (Meet), where you can reach out to alumni, faculty, current students, and future classmates. Your cohort finally takes shape in the summer before the start of the programme, and I remember how I formed groups of people with similar interests (e.g.: Investment Banking applicants) to get to know each other and provide feedback for CVs and cover letters. The real fun starts during the Welcome Fair – your first live interaction on campus. It is a great time to talk to your colleagues over drinks and put your social skills to use. Some of them will not only be your postgraduate classmates but also your lifelong friends. I was amazed by the openness of my colleagues, and it has never been easier for me to introduce myself and build friendships. Apart from the countless events, parties, and networking opportunities, every Thursday you can join Sundowners for some free food and drinks along with the broader LBS community. Academic Commitments Students at London Business School come from a wide range of backgrounds, and the curriculum of Term 1 is designed to level the playing field. It introduces new concepts to those with non-business studies and enriches everyone’s perspective of finance through its hands-on nature. Your professors are esteemed researchers and practitioners who will help you transform theory into real-life applications. My personal favourites so far were Corporate Finance by Dr. Alex Edmans and Data Analytics by Dr. Kostis Christodoulou. I always walked out of their lecture with new perspectives and a good understanding of the concepts discussed. I believe that professors at London Business School are real mentors and life coaches, so this represents a great opportunity for students to interact and maintain long-term connections with world-class faculty. Career Ambitions September and October were probably the most intense months for the majority of students. With a few exceptions, applications for the Financial Services industry opened in early September. It proved helpful for me to draft some cover letters over the summer, as I was better able to balance my other commitments during that busy period. These months feel like a rollercoaster as you will go through online assessments, interviews, offers and rejections – keep your head up! The Career Centre, LBS alumni, and your colleagues are crucial to securing your dream job. Firstly, the Career Centre helped me with resources back in the summer, giving me access to a lot of valuable advice – from CV and cover letter tips, to 1-on-1 meetings with industry experts and career coaches. Secondly, the alumni are the heroes you need. I was very happy to connect with London Business School graduates who already secured my dream jobs. They are everywhere around the world and in almost any industry you can imagine, so it is a great opportunity to learn from them and push your application forward. Thirdly, your colleagues are your greatest allies, as you will get to challenge one another to improve CVs, cover letters, and practice interviews. Final Note Life in London is fast-paced. There are no limits to what you can do while at London Business School, so it all comes down to what you want to prioritise and how well you balance your commitments. While thinking about your long-term goals is important, don’t forget to land back on your feet and enjoy the present. Stay organised, remain open-minded, and be outgoing! Feel free to reach out to me via email at apetrescu.mfa2023@london.edu, I’m happy to help!

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Jan 6 at 10:00am

Jan 11 at 08:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: Capturing Sloan Orientation

We recently welcomed 56 exceptional Sloan students, who kicked off their studies this week at the London Business School campus. Most of these executive-level students have relocated to London, from all over the world to pursue this one-year full-time programme. They have put a pause on their careers, and many have brought their families with them to start this new adventure! We are pleased with our impressive latest intake and thought it was worth sharing some stats on how this class is made up.  SLOAN Class profile Among the class of 56 students, we have 26 Nationalities representing various regions within Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and as far as New Zealand. Some of the singly represented Nationalities are… Indonesia, Italy, Madagascar, Malaysia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, UAE, and Zimbabwe. We have 14 remarkable women on the programme making up 25% of the class. We always aim to increase women represented in cohorts at LBS, but for a leadership programme, this is a positive increase against last year. This group is so internationally diverse that 65% do not consider English as their mother tongue, 14% hold dual nationalities, and they have relocated from being based in 46 different cities all over the world. This cohort has an average of 19 years of experience, which is incredibly unique to the London Business School Sloan Programme compared with other Sloan Programmes offered in North America. Our students are exceptional in terms of leadership competence, academic excellence, and level of overall responsibility held in previous roles. Academically this class is very strong with 18% of students holding an MBA/Masters in Finance, an additional 11% with various Post Graduate degrees, 2% PhD, and 14% are Chartered Accountants. The spread of industries is extensive this year. Finance dominates the group at 23%, Consulting represents 13% of the class and Public Administration at 9%. We also welcome students from the Defence and Military services, Food/Beverage/Tobacco, Film/TV/Radio, Engineering, and Design/Luxury Goods. Many bring experience from General Manager, Consultant, C-Suite, Founder, and Director roles. Some notable companies represented are Johnson & Johnson, Accenture, Petronas, Christian Louboutin, Philip Morris International, Allianz, Mitsubishi Financial Group, JSC Kazatomprom, and the Indian Army. We even welcome the Founder and CEO of BOXPARK, and the President and Founder of Geidea. Ready to start your journey?  There is no better way to grasp the benefits of studying the Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy than to participate in one of our virtual ‘Sloan Story’ alumni events. Click here to register for an event. Click here to submit your CV for review.

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Jan 19 at 10:00am

Feb 8 at 06:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: ATTENTION ALL, grab your tickets – EQUALL 2023: Beyond Barriers is here!

This year, EQUALL, the largest conference on gender empowerment that is hosted by a European business school will focus on the theme Beyond Barriers, which envisions a world where women are unlimited in their ability to achieve their greatest potential. The word that really stands out here for me is unlimited. A cursory Google search for “female potential” leads me to articles such as Proof versus potential: Why women must work harder to move up, and Women’s Potential is Undervalued at Work, while a similar search for “male potential” leads me to Why do men win at work and 7 ways to excel in a male-dominated workplace. And yes, this is in 2023 – a reminder that women, men, AND allies must continue to come together to listen, connect, share experiences and advice, so that we can ultimately go beyond the systematic barriers that exist and make room for actions that can drive positive change so that women can thrive and achieve our greatest potential. So come join us at EQUALL 2023, and discover how you can achieve your greatest potential! Some highlights on the agenda include: Going Beyond: Authentic Leadership & Growing Into Your True Self, Fireside Chat with Angela Cretu, CEO Avon, our opening Keynote Speaker, where she will share experiences from her life and career on authenticity and mentorship, and advice to women who are rising in their careers Building Bridges & Empowering Each Other Through Our Own Stories, Fireside Chat with Elizabeth Filippouli, Journalist, Writer, Social Entrepreneur, our closing Keynote Speaker, where she will touch on themes of innovation, social impact, the power of storytelling, and advice on reimagining our societies in a post-pandemic world Getting the Partnership Right: The Founder vs Funder Game, and Rising in the Ranks: The Evolution of a Leader, Breakout sessions focused on Entrepreneurship, Building Confidence, and Leadership Development & Growth, where female speakers will provide valuable insights, inspiration, and practical advice for women at all stages of their careers Sharing the Load: The Modern Household, Panel discussion with June Angelides (Investor, Samos Investments), Tobi Asare (Business Development Director, OMD UK) and Sebastian Asprella (CEO and Co-Founder, ThinkOrbital),a conversation that will embrace diverse perspectives from men and women on overcoming barriers to achieve their career and personal aspirations at different family stages I, We, Us – Allyship in Action, Panel discussion with David Fogel (Co-founder, Alma Angels), Anne Marie Fleurbaaij (Managing Director, Cambridge University Endowment Fund) and Ludovico Giannotti (Associate, Paul Hastings LLP), a discussion on practical ways that individuals and organisations can promote gender equity going forward You can find the full agenda and your tickets here. Tickets include: Access to >20 global leaders Delicious catering, including continental breakfast, lunch, and all-day refreshments (in-person only) Post-conference Champagne & Wine Reception with grazing boards (in-person only) Goodie bag filled with EQUALL swag, including AVON products (in-person only) Networking opportunities and coffee chats with attendees from different business schools, sponsors, and speakers (in-person only) A full day of unforgettable inspiration! Personally, I’m most excited for the panel on Sharing the Load: The Modern Household, as well as the opportunity to connect and learn from women and allies during the conference. What about you?

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Feb 8 at 11:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: My First Term Reflections on the Masters in Management Programme

By Shivani Sankar, MiM2023 To be able to sum up my first-term experience in just a few paragraphs quite honestly seemed like a complicated and almost impossible task to achieve but here’s my stab at it. Life at LBS has been nothing short of fascinating – no two days have ever felt the same to me. Here’s why: Academics Although the academic aspects of London Business School can be quite intense, especially when out of the blue you realise you suddenly have 3 assignments due in 2 days, overall, it has been very enriching. As someone from a completely non-business background, every subject was new to me and there was so much to absorb in such a short period of time. Sometimes it was quite intimidating to realize how far ahead my classmates were, since a significant number of them had already studied these subjects before, but I quickly realised (and to my relief!) that the curriculum is specifically designed to level everyone out. My personal favourite lecture from term 1 was Financial Accounting by Professor Stefano De Cesaris. Despite learning the concepts in accounting for the very first time, I was able to understand the subject extremely well and the concepts are still fresh in my memory. Social life, Events and Clubs This is probably the largest slice of my life at LBS. The only way to sum it up is – there is always something happening. Networking events, career fairs, club events and meetups, Sundowners, parties, and so much more. Your social life at LBS is really what you make of it. The biggest factor that drew me to LBS was the people at LBS, which explains why I prioritised this aspect of my experience so much. Apart from being a member in several clubs, I’ve also taken up leadership positions in 3 clubs – Out in Business (OiB), Black in Business (BiB), and the Dance Club. Through OiB, not only did I find myself a solid community of people, but I also had the opportunity to organize EUROUT, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ conferences and it’s safe to say that this will be one of the biggest highlights of my year. I’m very lucky to have been able to build a solid support system in London and to have found some of my closest friends here, and that’s all thanks to LBS. Recruiting Let’s admit it, recruiting is probably the one of the most stressful parts of business school. However, LBS has truly tried to make the journey as smooth as possible for us, albeit this opinion swiftly changes when exams are around the corner. From one-on-one appointments with career coaches and MBA students, to constant job updates on the career portal, to all the sector-related preparation resources that are provided, it really is as streamlined as it can get. I joined LBS to fast-track my career switch from tech to consulting. In hindsight, this was the best decision I made because I just accepted an offer from Boston Consulting Group, which just incidentally happens to also be my dream job. I was able to leverage all the consulting related preparation material that LBS provided and more importantly, I was able to collaborate with my peers on applications, cover letters and case preparation. It helps to know that everyone is in the same boat and that people will actually go out of their way to help you in whatever scope they can. Final Thoughts The best part about LBS for me is how much I get to tailor my own experience. Although the phrase might seem quite rinsed out at this point, your experience really is what you make of it. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions but I’m happy to report that I have finally begun feeling like I have built a home at London – and this wouldn’t have been possible if not for LBS. More than anything though, I am extremely grateful for the people I have met here, and that is something that you just can’t put a price tag on. If you would like to know more about my experience, feel free to reach out to me via email at ssankar.mim2023@london.edu, I’m happy to help!

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Feb 9 at 08:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: Leadership Opportunities for Graduate Masters Students

By Elizabeth Taiwo, Student Recruitment Manager – MiM & GMiM At London Business we aim to shape future leaders and throughout their time with us, students have access to a variety of leadership opportunities. This is no exception for our Graduate Masters students who secure leadership roles within the community year on year. To give you an idea of the positions available to develop your leadership skills as a London Business Graduate Masters student, I sat down with Andrei Petrescu (MFA2023), Muhammad Da’wud (MiM2023), Nuhamin Mengiste (MFA2023) and Triumph Awa-Arua (MiM2023), to hear about the other roles they’ve taken on. Which role(s) have you taken on and why? Triumph: I’m Vice President for Careers within the Black in Business (BiB) Club. Career development is such an important part of the LBS experience, so I applied for this position to support members of the Bib club throughout their journey. Muhammad: I’ve taken on a variety of leadership roles that allow me to develop my skills and make a positive impact on the LBS community. Alongside the student ambassador role, I am Vice President, Partnerships for the FLII club and Co-Lead of the Middle East Club’s Career Trek. I also co-founded the 93% Club at LBS. Nuhamin: I’m Vice President, Partnerships for BiB – this club was one of the key reasons I wanted to join LBS. After speaking with the co-founder, Cole Agbede, I knew I would not only be a part of a diverse community but also be able to access professional networks that can relate to my background and aspirations. Andrei: As a Career Student Representative of the MFA programme, I represent the voice of my cohort to drive the career development agenda. I wanted to give back to the community that continues to nurture my personal and professional development. What has it been like so far? Triumph: It’s been truly wonderful! It’s rewarding to be part of a team that seeks and harnesses opportunities for Black Heritage students at LBS, developing and executing initiatives for members across programmes to break into their desired jobs and industries. Working with the Executive Committee and the larger club membership from various LBS programmes, as well as interacting on a larger scale with external stakeholders, has taught me a lot. I’ve made so many new friends, developed new skills, and had so much fun in a short period of time. I’m certainly looking forward to the rest of the school year and all of the great work we will be doing. Muhammad: I have played a key role in organising 93% Club events, recruiting members, and building relationships with organizations that share our mission. For the FLII club, I have been responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships with a variety of organizations, including several employers and student societies. I have also organized the Middle East club’s trek to Dubai. Overall, these roles have allowed me to develop my communication, relationship building, negotiation, and team management skills. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had, and I look forward to continuing to develop my leadership skills in the future. Nuhamin: I appreciate the moments where I’ve cultivated relationships at the club, like movie night outs, West African cuisines and African art exhibitions. During my time, I hope to keep the communal LBS culture alive in all my engagements with current and prospective students and continue strengthening the partner relationships that BiB has with several professional networks. I’m particularly excited to lead the Career Changer webinar that BiB will be piloting this year, which aims to encourage proactive career exploration and demystify corporate career paths for students and young professionals. Andrei: So far in this role, I have supported the Career Centre with valuable feedback gathered from students that engaged with them through- networking events, 1-on-1 meetings with coaches and sector leaders, application materials for CVs, cover letters, and online tests, as well as our revamped Career Portal. It feels rewarding to actively listen to what students need and then implement the feedback to contribute to a better student experience at London Business School. As you’ve heard, there are a variety of fulfilling leadership roles available. I would encourage you to look into the student clubs on offer, each with an Executive Committee you can apply to be part of as a Graduate Masters student. To find out about the student ambassador role, [url=https://www.london.edu/masters-degrees/student-alumni-and-ambassadors#sort=%40profilesurname%20ascending&f:programme=[Masters%20in%20Management,Masters%20in%20Financial%20Analysis,Masters%20in%20Analytics%20and%20Management,Global%20Masters%20in%20Management]&f:profileisambassador=[Ambassadors]]connect[/url] with members of our current ambassador team.

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Feb 10 at 07:00am

Feb 13 at 09:00am

Feb 17 at 11:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: What makes EMBA Global worth the investment?

By Eric Saikali– Recruitment Associate, Leadership Programmes Our Executive MBA Global programme here at London Business School, which is offered in partnership with Columbia Business School in New York City, is a truly unique and one-of-a-kind programme. In the current business climate and with so many Global EMBA offerings out there to choose from, though, one common question that our Admissions team gets asked by prospective students is: what makes our EMBA Global programme so worth the investment? I asked three of our notable EMBA Global alumni, Gavin Macmillan (class of 2021), Davut Mazalto (class of 2023), and Edgar Nunez (class of 2023), what exactly made the programme stand out from the rest. Gavin: “As an alum of the EMBA Global programme, I can confidently say it was a valuable investment that has brought me significant personal and professional growth. The programme offered a unique, immersive experience, blending world-class business education with the chance to study and network with future business leaders from across the globe. One highlight was the partnership with Columbia Business School in New York City, granting access to two top universities and the chance to learn and experience life in two of the world’s most dynamic cities. The professors were exceptional, leading experts in their fields, and their practical experience enhanced the learning process. I was thoroughly impressed by the new skills I gained from Professor Selin Kesebir’s Negotiation & Bargaining elective, which undoubtedly improved my negotiation skills. I’m grateful for these skills, as I now use them daily.” Davut: “Obviously, admission to this programme means that you and your peers are proven leaders. However, this programme is the formula to “Success Square” as Dean François Ortalo-Magné shared with us during orientation. Professors you’ll get to learn from, the visitors they’ll bring to classes, and the international assignments that you’ll get to do will enlarge your vision to yet another level. As someone who lived and worked in EMEA and is now living in the US, attending a programme that’d give me the highest form of achievement accepted on both sides was crucial. Today I have access to alumni of both amazing institutions in any country in the world. I personally have connected with alumni from Melbourne to Hawaii; they are all in great positions and are willing to spend time and build relationships, which tells you about the culture you’ll walk into.” Edgar: “First, the world-class quality & reputation from a centennial Ivy League school and one of Europe’s most renowned business schools. This status will follow you for the rest of your career. Second, a vast global network of 97,000 alumni that is only equated by a very limited number of schools around the globe. And finally, a multi-modal learning experience because one analyzes real business problems through lectures, case studies, study groups, and experiential activities such as seminars and Global Business Assignments (GBA). Electives provide further time flexibility for EMBA Global students because they can combine other class formats like weeknights, modular blocks, Friday/Saturday, or Saturday only, as well as more global locations like the LBS Dubai campus or international seminars and GBAs in countries like Argentina, China, and South Africa, to mention a few. I had the opportunity to learn from outstanding business leaders that attended school events or participated as guest speakers for our courses, such as Indra Nooyi, Tim Steiner, Ken Frazier, Christina Riley, and James Gorman. You will also be immediately challenged by experienced faculty and constantly learn from other students inside and outside of the classroom. As a finance person myself, I would simply put it this way: the return on investment of the EMBA Global programme compounds from day one.” For further information about the Executive MBA Global programme, follow this link.

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Feb 28 at 10:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: Am I too late to apply? Advice from Recruitment and Admissions for applying in Round 3

‘Am I too late to apply?’ ‘Do you have any spaces available in the final round?’ These are by far the most common questions I get at this stage of the cycle. For the full-time MBA programme at London Business School, similar to other business schools worldwide, we have a staged admissions process – meaning we have multiple deadlines to receive your application by within our cycle. We have three rounds – the first in mid-September, the second in early-January and our third and final round is late March. The reality of the way admissions cycles work is that many places are filled in the first couple of rounds. However, by no means do we fill the entire class in these rounds – we always make sure places are available in Round 3. We also ensure some merit scholarships remain available too. Through your research, you may have discovered that LBS is a very diverse place to be – we carefully curate classes to be as diverse as we possibly can, whether that’s different nationalities, different sector experience or different cultural backgrounds. We wouldn’t want to fill up our class at the risk of sacrificing diversity or missing out on excellent candidates who are looking to apply in Round 3. We know that candidates will have a variety of different reasons for applying in Round 3. For some, it’s about having that little bit of extra time to prepare for GMAT/GRE or to make sure they’re spending time to fully consider their future career goals. For others, there may have been a recent change in their professional or personal life that creates a catalyst to applying. Regardless of reason, something we always advise with MBA applications is to apply when you know you’re ready to – it’s much better to submit the highest quality application you can, as opposed to feeling like you have to rush your preparation to meet a certain deadline. With about a month to go until Round 3, now is the time to finalise your preparations – booking in that final GMAT/GRE test if you’re yet to take it, notifying your professional referee, drafting your essays and getting your documents together for submission. You also have a month left to keep talking to our student community and finish up your LBS research. We still have a range of [url=https://www.london.edu/events/calendar#sort=%40eventstarts%20ascending&f:eventfor=[Prospective%20students]&f:programme=[MBA]]events[/url] to attend before the application deadline, including our MBA Open Day on 4 March, and you can reach out to any of our MBA Ambassadors [url=https://www.london.edu/masters-degrees/student-alumni-and-ambassadors#sort=%40profilesurname%20ascending&f:programme=[MBA]&f:profileisambassador=[Ambassadors]]here[/url]. So, if you are still deciding to apply to our MBA programme – are you too late? Absolutely not – but you will need to make sure to manage your time over the next month! Our final application deadline is Monday 27 March 2023.

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Mar 1 at 09:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: The 11th Retail, Luxury and Consumer Conference

By Jose Andres Quintero Gil (MBA, 2023) The Retail, Luxury, and Consumer Club is pleased to announce the 11th Retail, Luxury, and Consumer Conference. This year’s conference promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with a line-up of distinguished speakers, engaging panel discussions, and opportunities to network with industry professionals and fellow students from Europe’s leading universities. The conference will be held on March 6th and 7th, and tickets are now available for purchase on our website. We encourage everyone with an interest in exploring career topics and career opportunities in retail, luxury, and consumer industries to attend, whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone who wants to stay informed about the latest trends and developments. During the conference, you’ll be able to engage with industry leaders, ask questions, and hear about the latest strategies and insights. This year’s theme is “Heritage and Innovation: Crafting the Future” and our speakers include executives from Harrods, Dorchester Collection, Bacardi, Farfetch, Business of Fashion, Aesop and Estee Lauder, among many others. We also have a range of panel discussions covering topics such as sustainability, DEI, The Middle East’s accelerated growth and a Ted talk style series focusing on disruptive ideas from local startups. As always, the conference is an excellent opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and make connections that can last a lifetime. You’ll have the chance to meet fellow students, professionals from various industries, and even recruiters looking for top talent. To attend the conference, simply visit our website and purchase your tickets. All tickets include access to the complete conference program, lunch, networking events and drinks after the sessions. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Mar 1 at 09:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: Choosing your electives: The bidding process

By Elizaveta Ivanova (MiM2023) As a student pursuing a degree at LBS, one of the valuable decisions you will make is selecting your electives. Electives offer the opportunity to explore new subjects, build expertise, and broaden your horizons. However, with so many options available, the process of choosing can be overwhelming. In this blog post, I will walk you through the process of selecting electives on the LBS Enrolment Management System (EMS), an online platform designed for choosing electives. As a student in the Graduate Master’s programme, you have the unique opportunity to choose electives from approximately 80 subjects. These electives provide a deep dive into specialist areas, allowing you to benefit from the quality, depth, and breadth of world-class faculty research. Offered in flexible formats including weekdays, evenings, and block weeks, electives provide the opportunity for cross-generational learning with MBA, MiF and experienced leadership program students. These electives will take place during terms 2 and 3. You will use the EMS to bid for your electives and Global Experience. You will be able to get acquainted with course descriptions and conveniently see the days of electives on the calendar. Every student is given a fixed amount of bidding points, which, after deciding on your top choices, you will allocate to your shortlisted electives. Keep in mind that bidding is not live and only happens after a pre-specified moment. After the bidding process deadline, everyone will be assigned to their electives. In addition to traditional electives, you also have the option to participate in a Global Experience, a week-long international experience, with topics ranging from Sustainability and Social Impact to Banking. The Global Experience provides an opportunity to discover another part of the world with your peers, study subjects of your choice, and meet new people. This happens through two bidding rounds to make sure that everyone gets the electives they want. After the two rounds, any remaining spaces on electives will be made available, and you will be given the opportunity to make changes to your enrolments during add/drop rounds throughout the term. In conclusion, the electives provide a unique opportunity to delve into specialized areas, build your network and lay the foundation for your future career. Whether you choose to go on a Global Experience or opt to only do traditional electives, the options available to you through the EMS system provide a flexible and convenient way to personalize your degree and achieve your academic and career goals.

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Mar 1 at 10:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: Investment Banking Application season: advice from our current students

By Andrei Petrescu (MFA2023) and Peidong Song (MiM2023) Investment Banking internships are highly competitive, and candidates must go through a rigorous selection process to secure a position. Being one of the target schools, London Business School helps students leverage this brand to stand out during the application process. However, preparing for an investment banking internship still requires hard work, a serious time commitment and a keen interest in Finance. In this blog, we will outline and share some of our experiences during our application processes. Start Early With a few exceptions, Investment Banking internship applications open in early September. For us, it proved helpful to keep track of the various firms opening positions because applying early is vital. There are also plenty of online forums where students discuss the status of applications or even share interview questions (e.g. Wall Street Oasis). You should break down the resources you need to be successful in securing a position and start preparing early on – to name a few: networking, technical and behavioural skills, commercial awareness. Nevertheless, revamping your CV would likely be the first (and best) thing to start with, as you will continuously improve on how you display your past experiences. Keeping yourself organised throughout the whole process is key. We vividly remember the intensity of September and October – balancing exams, interviews, social life, and other extracurricular commitments is difficult. This is why keeping a clean agenda and staying focused are important to avoid stress. Also, while it is important to be intentional in terms of your firm goals, it might be better to diversify your options and apply to a broad range of firms because…you never know. Networking You should start building a professional network months before the applications open by attending firm or industry-specific events and reaching out politely to relevant individuals on LinkedIn. Networking can provide you with valuable insights into the investment banking industry, allow you to develop relationships with professionals in the field and help you formulate a genuine interest in a firm. You should work on your personal pitch because it is easy to reach out blindly but harder to be remembered. The goal should be to impress each person you speak to by being original and asking pertinent and personalised questions. If you develop a good relationship, you might be lucky enough to have at least one out of many connections recommend you to a specific firm. However, even without a recommendation, it is important to mention the people you spoke with and relate to their viewpoints so that the recruiters would notice you. Throughout the summer London Business School offers a plethora of resources to incoming candidates so that they can work on their networking skills. Moreover, you also get CV feedback, cover letter tips, and 1-on-1 meetings with industry experts and career coaches. More importantly, LBS alumni are everywhere around the world and in almost any industry and firm you can imagine. This is a great opportunity for LBS students to connect and interact, in order to push your application forward. When networking on LinkedIn, we found it easier to reach out to connections with which we had a similarity based on: nationality, previous and current education and languages. Develop Your Skills First, the technical skills. An Investment Banking role comes with a solid understanding of Finance and Accounting. Although very useful, your preparation should go beyond your classic Corporate Finance class in university. Consider an investment in prep books like the Wall Street Prep and many others alike which are extremely useful and target the technical part of an Investment Banking interview (e.g. the link among the three financial statements, explaining the main valuation methods, executing a paper LBO, discussing the inputs and assumptions of a DCF). There are also online courses that can help you with the more hands-on technical side such as financial modelling and analysis. This is the number one skill of an Investment Banker so it would be incredibly useful to develop these skills early on and know your way quickly around Excel. Second, the behavioural skills. Your interest and enthusiasm for Investment Banking are easily read by those who will interview you. It is essential to showcase your knowledge of the industry, express your eagerness to learn and develop your skills and ask insightful and personalised questions during interviews. Reading the job posting can highlight some of the values that a specific firm looks for in you, and you should relate to how you displayed these values throughout your past experiences (e.g. leadership, teamwork, dealing with a deadline, overcoming a difficulty, dealing with a conflict inside the team). Research the company thoroughly and practice common behavioural interview questions (e.g. Why us? Why Investment Banking? Why you?). Third, your commercial awareness. The Investment Banking space is all over the news, and you should make sure that you are up-to-date or at least follow a few sectors that interest you. A firm would likely ask you to discuss a recent deal they were involved in and you should be ready to present not only the most important characteristics but also the drivers behind the deal. Moreover, you should also know what is going on around the world, how is the macro environment developing, or what are the latest geopolitical topics that influence the space. Overall, this is a very time-consuming part and you should practice your skills again and again. We found it very helpful at LBS to form focus groups and interview each other on the different skills. This not only helps you prepare and practice a real interview format, but you also get feedback and learn from your peers. Takeaways Be genuine, there are tens of thousands of other students who fight for the same position as you. Keep your head up and remember to reach out to as many people as you can to learn about the role, get feedback on your profile and develop a better understanding of the firm. We wish you the best of luck in your Investment Banking application journey!

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Mar 7 at 08:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: Through the lens of an MBA2024: Women at LBS

Every time someone questions me about diversity or representation for women, I always emphasize upon one point – “It’s one thing to be given a seat at the table and another to feel that you belong there”. Prior to LBS, my career was divided between sports and consulting. As a kid, when I had little understanding of the words “gender bias” and “stereotype”, I would seldom be questioned why I chose to pursue a male dominated sport like rifle shooting. With time the creativity of these questions grew, and the location shifted from the firing point to sitting in a client meeting with a room full of men. It was a journey of understanding why these gender-specific questions were directed my way to becoming completely immune to them and being comfortable in my own skin for whatever career or life decisions I made. But when I was applying to business school, for some reason I had immense clarity that wherever I choose to spend the next two (transformational) years of my life, I wanted to make sure that I am surrounded with other likeminded women whom I can bond with while on this amazing journey. So when I was zeroing down on my top school choices, I had to obviously look at all the options with a gender lens and evaluate how invested each school was in supporting its women succeed – a critical non-negotiable KPI (Key Performance Indicator) the consultant in me had set. Now that you are reading this blog on the LBS website, you very well know what decision I made. But taking a step back and reflecting on the entire process, one of my first inspirations of applying to LBS came after watching the trailblazer series hosted by the Women in Business Club in which they interviewed Indra Nooyi. A little research and multiple coffee chats later with current MBA candidates, I knew the school ticked most of the KPI’s I had set in stone and I finally hit the (much dreaded) “Submit Application” button during the second round of applications. Very ironically a few months later when I was leaving for LBS, one of my friends gave me Indra Nooyi’s book as a farewell gift which I only started reading on my flight to London. I remembered being inspired by her remarkable career journey and looking up the LBS website to now finally gearing up to land in London in the next 9 hours. After an inspirational start to my business school journey, when I was still setting things up in London, I happened to look up on LinkedIn a few other women who would be joining the program and if there is one word that could accurately describe how I felt – it would be INTIMIDATED. But the first day at school totally changed this perspective. It was a humbling experience seeing the same women I was in absolute awe of for their crazy achievements, speak about their hobbies outside of work and travel bucket lists over the next 2 years over other career related MBA stuff. It kind of burst the “cut-throat competition” bubble at the very beginning. As time flew by, I could see the profound impact all these interactions had on me. Confidence is INFECTIOUS and when you’re constantly surrounded by women  who do not shy away from being their authentic and independent selves, it brushes off on you in magical ways! I realized business school was less about competing and more about inspiring each other in meaningful ways. My best takeaway would be – “Never underestimate how game changing a simple coffee chat with another woman colleague can be!”. Sometimes you find in someone you randomly meet – a friend, a cheerleader, an interview prep partner, a travel buddy or sometimes all of them in one person! On some of my toughest days, I found my confidence in a few classmates who reassuringly always reminded me – “I got your back girl”. LBS also has a very strong culture of empowering women through its different initiatives. This is evident not only from the class statistics, but also through the visibility and exposure you get from different opportunities available on campus. The Women in Business club and the Women’s Touch Rugby Club are solid examples of this and are true to the saying that “Strong Women Lift Each Other Up”. In the past few months, I have got the chance to meet innumerable women leaders through networking and guest speaker sessions which are hosted by different clubs all year (trust me, your MBA calendar can never accommodate them all), which has instilled my belief in why having more women role models you can look up to is so important. I am lucky to be the recipient of 2 scholarships – the Laidlaw Women Leadership Fund and the Forte Foundation scholarship, both exclusively available only for women candidates. The second month into the MBA, I was already leading the Laidlaw Women in Business Society consisting of scholars from US and UK business schools and holding a position in the executive committee of 4 clubs on campus, working together with some of my male peers who are strong allies. It’s just been 6 months into the MBA, but I can already see how the LBS ecosystem has acted as a catalyst in my personal and professional growth and pushed me to be a better version of myself each day! One of the most important lessons I have learnt is – don’t hesitate to ask for help. Just because you can fight the battle alone, doesn’t mean you have to. Reaching out for help does not make you look weak. At this stage of my career and life, I am glad I took the decision to go back to school to give myself a chance to explore the different career opportunities – something which is still considered a privilege for a lot of women even today. I think it’s safe to say now that I have a seat at the table, and I also feel I belong here. Beyond this – The world’s my oyster! For further information about Women at LBS, please follow this link. By Priyal Keni, MBA2024

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Mar 8 at 08:00am

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: Women in Business: How I grow up with London Business School

ByDaniela Pacussich Bazan, MFA 2023 When I arrived in London, I was full of dreams and full of doubts: Will I be able to adapt to a new city? Will I be able to get a job? Will I be able to balance recruiting, academics, and social life? However, LBS has given me so many opportunities to grow and learn, I am sure I am not the same person who step off the plane 6 months ago. Getting my dream job Recruiting in London is hard, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I arrived in August and most finance-related applications for next summer opened in early September, so I barely had time to breathe before starting to apply. Once you start, it feels like you don’t stop because more companies keep opening, and the ones you already applied to start sending you online assessments. But that is only the beginning, then come the rejections, which can hit hard at first but a big part of the game is being resilient and not losing your motivation. Luckily, LBS gives us a lot of resources to make your applications the best ones possible: CV and cover letter advice feedback, industry guides, and also sessions with career coaches and industry experts. More than that, it opens the door to its vast alumni network, no doubt there is at least one LBS alum who is working at the companies you are targeting and that will be happy to help you. On the bright side, along with the rejections, also come some interview invitations. I remember being so nervous for the first one that I couldn’t answer the most basic questions, but eventually, I got used to it and developed a strategy to prepare for and manage interviews, for which LBS career coach Evelina Vilke was crucial. If there is one thing, I have learned through my life is that hard work pays off, and this time was no exception: I managed to secure a full-time role at PIMCO Asset Management as a Product Analyst, which was my dream position. At the end of 2022, I was helping a friend with her LBS essays and that led me to revisit mine. I didn’t remember it at the time, but when asked to write about my post-LBS career ambitions, I said I wanted to work at PIMCO and I am still amazed by how my time at LBS helped me deliver on my promise to myself. World Government Summit: Global Universities Challenge One of my LBS highlights is having been given the opportunity to attend the World Government Summit held in Dubai. This event had multiple personalities from different backgrounds and industries speaking about topics that are crucial for future development: AI, sustainability, digitalization, etc. I was part of a 5-person team that represented the school in the ‘Shaping Future Governments: Global Universities Challenge’, where we were given the task to draft a charter on digital rights. This was not only a challenging but also a very interesting and relevant topic to discuss. However, more than the task itself, the event allowed us to connect with students from multiple schools around the world, explore a city very different from London and attend sessions with inspiring speakers such as Ray Dalio, Kristalina Gueorguieva, and Esther Duflo. Without a doubt, an unforgettable experience! Student Clubs and the LBS community When I was applying to the MFA, contacting previous or current LBS students was an important part of my research process. It also helped me a lot to build my application and prepare for the interview. Hence, for me, becoming a Student Ambassador was a way to give back for all the help I received. At the same time, I find great fulfillment in helping prospective students in their journeys, since I know that I year ago I was in their shoes. A huge part of my LBS experience was also my participation in student Clubs. From this, a highlight has been my participation in the IMC Stock Pitch Competition organized by the Investment Management Club. With fellow MFAs Ian Jorge and Dmitry Gribovich, we pitched the LVMH stock to a distinguished jury and managed to make it to the finals! Additionally, I am a Junior ExCo in the Women in Business Club. As such, I am part of the Advocacy team and work closely with LBS to better the experience of female applicants and students. Moreover, every year WiB hosts the EQUALL Conference, a forum focused on gender equality in the workplace. There, I was able to hear from inspiring speakers about leadership, work-life balance, storytelling, a so much more. I also got to take part in the #IAmRemarkable workshop by Mariana Saraceni, where I learned about the power of recognizing and owning my accomplishments, something I have always struggled with. Final Thoughts When I arrived in London, I was very excited and very scared. Even though it’s only been 6 months since then, I think have never experienced this level of personal and professional growth in such a short time. If a year ago someone would have told me that I would do all the things that I’ve just talked about, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. While I haven’t found the answer to all my doubts yet, I have answered some of them, and most importantly, I am no longer scared. On the contrary, I am excited about what is to come, and while I do get scared sometimes, I don’t let that stop me from seizing opportunities and making the most of my experiences at LBS. For further information regarding Women in Business, please visit our Women at LBS page here.

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Mar 8 at 09:00am