Studying the Careers & Employability module at WBS

Camila Harburger Devoto, a current MSc Accounting & Financial Management student at Warwick Business School, reflects on her experience of the course so far. How the Careers and Employability module has shaped her confidence, clarified her career direction and supported her development as an emerging finance professional.

Starting my MSc Accounting & Financial Management, I expected to deepen my technical understanding of finance. What I did not anticipate was how transformative this year would be in shaping my professional identity. One of the most influential elements of this journey has been the Careers and Employability module, which has challenged me to reflect not just on what I know, but on who I am becoming as a professional.

Unlike traditional academic modules, this course is designed to support personal and professional development. Through simulations, reflective exercises, industry talks, and interactive workshops, I was encouraged to confront my strengths, biases, and aspirations in real time. Rather than focusing solely on outcomes, the module placed emphasis on process, behaviour, and mindset - elements that are often overlooked but critical in professional life.

MSc experience at WBS

One of the most impactful components of the module has been the finance simulation AmplifyME. Set in high-pressure environments such as investment banking and hedge funds, the simulation required me to make rapid decisions using incomplete and evolving information.

What stood out most was not whether my decisions were right or wrong, but how I made them.

Under pressure, I became more aware of how self-doubt can influence judgement. Coming from a non-finance undergraduate background, I initially assumed that technical gaps would define my performance. However, the simulation revealed something far more important: adaptability, emotional regulation, and clarity under pressure often matter just as much as technical knowledge.

This experience helped me develop traits aligned with the PRACTICE framework, which is heavily discussed throughout the module:

• Analytical Thinking - Interpreting dynamic information and making structured decisions
• Emotional Awareness - Recognising how stress affected my confidence and reactions
• Professionalism - Maintaining composure through uncertainty
• Digital Fluency - Applying Excel skills in a fast-paced, realistic context.

Careers after a Master’s

Guest speakers have also played a significant role in shaping my understanding of the finance profession. Listening to professionals share their career journeys, such as transitioning from financial audit into ESG and sustainability, reinforced how transferable finance skills can be across emerging and impactful fields.

Similarly, sessions on forensic accounting and equity research offered valuable insight into the diversity within financial careers. These talks challenged the perception that accounting follows a narrow or linear path, and instead highlighted the breadth of opportunities available to graduates with strong analytical and ethical foundations.

Professional skills at Warwick

The emphasis on reflection has been one of the most distinctive and valuable elements of the Careers and Employability module. Through weekly journals and structured reflective essays, I was encouraged to move beyond simply describing experiences and instead critically analyse how they influenced my behaviours, decision-making, and career readiness.

Over time, reflection shifted from being an academic requirement to becoming a professional skill. It has allowed me to:

• Identify patterns in my decision-making
• Recognise both strengths and areas for development
• Translate experience into personal and professional growth
• Approach future challenges with greater self-awareness.

So far, the Accounting & Financial Management Careers and Employability module has helped me gain a clearer understanding of who I am becoming as a professional. It has strengthened my confidence, clarified my career direction, and developed skills that extend far beyond the financial world itself.

Most importantly, it has reinforced the idea that employability is not just about having the perfect CV. It is about continuously developing the behaviours, mindset, and integrity required to create meaningful impact, regardless of the role or industry I choose to pursue.