Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and the course you are studying. 

My name is Alina Klonari and I am from Greece. I studied for my bachelor’s degree at The American College of Greece where I studied Economics with a minor in Finance. I wanted to continue my studies and learn more about the business world which is why I decided to study MSc International Business. My course exposes me to various aspects of business from HR to marketing, and also gives me different strategic perspectives which will help me in my future career. 

What first attracted you to WBS, why did you choose to study here? 

I was most attracted to WBS because of the course structure and the option to either complete a dissertation or a Business in Practice route. Since I want to pursue a career in the real business world and work for a renowned company, the Business in Practice route definitely appealed to me. I felt that the Business in Practice route would allow me to undergo a simulation reflecting a real life business environment. In addition to this I was offered a scholarship to study at WBS which also influenced my decision to study here, and I felt that this would be a great accomplishment to put on my CV. 

What would you say are the key things that sets WBS apart? 

I believe that WBS is different to other business schools because of its ambition to engage students with experiences that will help them in their future career whilst also influencing students’ personal development. For example in my ‘Work and HR in Global Context’ module I am given the opportunity to hear from actual employers and learn about their personal experiences and the issues they have overcome. This module is a three hour lecture with the last hour dedicated to hearing from employers where they can share their experience and knowledge. After this we have the opportunity to ask them questions and speak to them face-to-face. I find this really helps me to understand the theories discussed in lectures and apply them to real-life business situations.  

What is the best thing about your course so far? 

The best thing about my course is the diversity of my classmates who are from India, China, Germany, France, Greece, Mexico and the UK to name a few! My WBS journey has been made even more exciting due to the fact I have been able to learn from my classmates and understand their different cultures, perspectives, mind-sets and viewpoints. There is also a really friendly working environment at WBS which creates a fantastic environment for me to feel engaged throughout my studies.  

What is your favourite module?  

My favourite module so far is ‘Strategy Analysis and Practice’ which focuses on learning more about internal and external environmental analysis by examining the resources and capabilities of companies using the VRIN model. We are also exposed to different types of corporate and competitive strategy diverse companies to understand how they compete in the market. The module also included a group assignment where we had to use our critical thinking skills to evaluate a chosen company and make recommendations for improvement as a team. 

What has inspired you most throughout your studies at WBS?  

My classmates have inspired me significantly throughout my studies at WBS. They all have such brilliant minds, ideas and perspectives which drives me to learn more and keeps me engaged with my studies. I believe our commitment to continuing our learning is pivotal as future employees in the business world, and makes me even more excited about my journey at WBS. 

What sort of support have you received so far from the CareersPlus team?  

The CareersPlus team are a great resource at WBS, so far I have visited the team to get their advice on how I could improve my CV. They gave me some feedback and tips on how I could improve my CV and make it more appealing to future employers. Also as I have a lot of different career interests I needed some advice on future career paths after I finish my MSc. The careers coaches were really helpful and suggested lots of different diverse companies that I hadn’t considered before.  

What do you aim to do once you graduate? 

My main aim after I graduate is to find a suitable and interesting job opportunity in the UK. I am keen to work within a role that will help me improve the skills and knowledge I have learnt throughout my MSc course, gain some real-life business experience and allow me to explore my capabilities further.  

What are your tips for getting the most out of an MSc for those starting in September? 

For students beginning their MSc my top tips would be… 

1. Interact with your flatmates as soon as you meet them, as they will be a key support network for you throughout your journey.  

2. Find the right study place for you whether that might be in your accommodation, in the postgraduate study space at WBS, or the library, and consider organising study sessions with your course mates as this can make studying a lot more enjoyable. 

3. Build friendships with your classmates as you will find that you learn so much from one another. 

4. Attend every lecture. 

5. Make the most of every opportunity available to you at WBS such as joining a society, becoming a member of the SSLC or attending a career networking event.