Alumni Q&A: Senda Ben Abdallah (Strategic Marketing, 2021)

Can you give us a brief overview of your career journey to date?

After graduating from UCL with a BSc in Information Management for Business, I was eager to dive into the tech industry, particularly within startups. My year-long internship at Cisco in Silicon Valley introduced me to the fast-paced world of product and technology, and I became increasingly drawn to the intersection of product, customer, and strategy—which led me to product marketing. I pursued an MSc in Strategic Marketing at Imperial Business School while continuing to work part-time with Cisco. Since then, I’ve worked with B2B SaaS startups across Europe and the US, helping bring products to market and drive growth. Today, I’m based in New York, working at an Ad Tech startup and running my podcast Too Long; Don’t Listen, which is dedicated to demystifying the world of product marketing.

What drew you to set up your own podcast?

When I first started out in product marketing, I found it hard to find content that was both practical and relatable—especially from people who looked or sounded like me. Too Long; Don’t Listen was born from a desire to support international students, early-career marketers, and anyone trying to break into tech. I love having honest conversations with brilliant minds in marketing and sharing stories that aren’t often told. The most rewarding part has been hearing from listeners who say the show helped them land a job or feel more confident. The most challenging? Staying consistent and carving out time while working full-time—podcasting is definitely a labour of love.

Your podcast is for product marketing managers working in startups. What advice would you give to someone working in that sphere?

Pick an industry you genuinely care about and a product that resonates with you. It makes your job easier when you’re naturally curious about what you're marketing. Also—build strong relationships across teams. Product marketing sits at the intersection of product, sales, and marketing, so being a good communicator and collaborator is essential. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment and measure everything—your best asset is your ability to adapt.

You have just moved to New York for your new role. What are you most excited about for this next chapter? And what will you miss about London?

I’m really excited about the energy and pace of New York—it’s a city that constantly challenges and inspires you. There’s something about its chaos that fuels creativity and ambition. That said, I do miss London’s charm: the parks, the cosy restaurants, my go-to cafés, and of course, my friends. London has a way of feeling both intimate and international, and I’ll always be nostalgic for the time I spent there.

What drew you to study at Imperial?

The curriculum was perfectly aligned with my career goals, especially its strong focus on strategy and marketing. The network was also a big draw—I knew I’d be surrounded by smart, driven people from all over the world. And of course, the reputation of Imperial speaks for itself. I wanted a place that would challenge me and open doors professionally, and it absolutely did.

What is an important lesson you learnt at Imperial, that you have taken with you into the workplace?
Push your luck. Go to that networking event, raise your hand, ask for help. I used to think I had to have it all figured out before showing up, but Imperial taught me the value of learning in public. Curiosity is a strength. No question is ever too small—and often, it leads to opportunities you wouldn’t have found otherwise.

What are the benefits of keeping in touch with the Business School alumni network?
I’ve stayed in touch with several classmates and attended alumni events and enterprise competitions. The Imperial network is incredibly diverse, and it’s inspiring to see what everyone goes on to do. Whether it’s job referrals, collaborations, or just catching up over coffee, there’s real value in staying connected. The shared experience gives you a sense of belonging—even years after graduating.