Tell us a bit about yourself, and what you studied.
My name is Summer Xiao and I studied Business Analytics at WBS. Born and raised in mainland China, I went to Hong Kong Baptist University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics. During my undergraduate years, I did a semester exchange at University of Bristol, where I studied Economics and Finance. I also undertook a summer research project at Tsinghua University on China’s population policy and economic development.
During my undergraduate years, I have gone through an exciting journey outside the classroom to explore my interests. I served as the president for a university volunteering society of more than 500 members where we organised diverse activities to empower people in need. I participated in several hackathon projects, which is where I developed my interest in technology and data analytics, as well as interning with several multi-national and start-up companies. Through these experiences I found my true passion for human interaction, problem-solving and social impact.
What first attracted you to WBS?
I was attracted to WBS because of the course curriculum design, careers service and its reputation internationally.
What was the best thing about the programme?
The teaching quality at WBS is one of the best things about the programme. The combination of classroom teaching and online learning platforms has provided me with a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge as well as having the opportunity to discuss the latest business cases and future trends. Additionally, we have access to many online resources including Datacamp so that we can further enhance our technical skills such as programming and data analysis.
What inspired you most throughout your studies?
I have been inspired throughout my studies by my classmates who are all from diverse backgrounds.
Group work is an important part of the course, and allows individuals to utilise their previous knowledge and past experience to solve the current task. I have found this process to be very interesting and exciting. The participation in group work strengthens my communication skills, and prepares me for my future career path.
What sort of support did you receive from the careers team? How has that helped you?
The CareersPlus team at WBS have helped me a lot throughout the whole job application process which I am truly grateful for. Before coming to Warwick, I joined various webinars such as how to plan your career, where I received some industry-specific application tips which was really useful.
The CareersPlus team organise lots of workshops on a wide range of topics such as; how to expand your network, how to write a CV and cover letter. I also had personal careers coaching where I received individual feedback on my job applications and had the opportunity to take part in a mock interview. Personally, I found the mock assessment centre a great help as I was able to identify my strength and weaknesses.
This year I also participated in the Case Study Day with MBAs and other specialist masters students. We had to complete an intensive case competition, and received feedback from judges in different industries from consulting to technology. This experience was a great networking opportunity which I found really useful.
Did you use the sports centre, visit the Arts Centre, attend club nights on campus, or have any hobbies you enjoy?
The new Sports and Wellness Hub is really wonderful with lots of space and brand-new facilities. My friends invited me to a concert at Warwick Arts Centre, where we watched the Warwick Symphony Orchestra which was an amazing performance.
Can you tell us about your career plans? What’s next for you?
In the short-term, I am looking for opportunities in consulting and market research fields to start my early career, and to enhance my current analytical skills and develop expertise in certain domains. At the same time, I am quite interested in social impact and education, and I would like to start my own business focusing on these areas. I am still in the application process of my first full-time job and after graduation, I may come back to Asia and work in Hong Kong, Shenzhen or Shanghai.
What are your tips for getting the most out of a masters for those starting in September?
My top tip for students starting in September is to always be proactive, and try to get as much exposure as you can. Being proactive means planning ahead, either for academic study or for career progression. You should not be afraid of networking or asking for advice from your peers or senior teaching staff. WBS has a diverse community, so you should try your best to step out of your comfort zone, be open-minded, meet new people, and participate in activities that you have a true passion for.