How the Careers team helped me!
We caught up with three alumni at different stages in their careers journey to discover how the Careers team supported them with their professional development
Komal Bapna, MBA 2023
Since Imperial, I’ve worked at Capital One in the UK and then switched industries when I joined Aviva. The MBA gave me the confidence to make swift moves and pick up new industry knowledge almost overnight.
While I was a student, I had regular chats with my career consultant and jumped at any event where I could meet alumni working in industries I was interested in. The support of the Careers team helped me focus less on “my dream job” and more on roles that fit my skills and values, which made all the difference. They gave me the confidence to aim high!
Imperial is my London home - it's where I belong. Coming back to Imperial as an alum for events makes me feel empowered and gives me energy.
I know how important it is for alumni to give back because when I was a student two years ago, I always looked forward to meeting alumni. They supported me with coffee chats, referrals, and even interview prep, which helped me land a job before I graduated. Even now, the alumni community continues to be a source of strength, inspiration and my London family. After graduating I wanted to do the same and share any wisdom that might help students as they navigate the MBA.
James Waddington, Executive MBA 2011
After leaving a company after almost 18 years I wanted to understand how the careers market had evolved in that time. I have attended virtual workshops, events (including one for Non-Executive Directors) and had one-to-one career coaching through Alumni Careers.
The Careers Service are continuously engaged with the market and understand the unique offer an Imperial graduate brings to that market. They can help you to re-engage and with the Imperial Alumni network which is an incredible resource available to all of us.
The team were brilliant at helping evaluate my options and work through my decision making process. I have since set-up up my own business which is going well, I am enjoying the variety and flexibility this affords me and will continue to stay engaged with Imperial and my fellow alumni.
Jai Thakkar, Strategic Marketing 2024
As an alum, I found the Careers Service just as effective—if not better. I accessed 1:1 sessions, mock interviews, and career fairs, with the added benefit of experience to use them more strategically.
I had a great working relationship with my consultant, Chloe. Her support continued beyond my course, so it felt natural to stay connected and seek guidance. With her guidance, I understood my strengths better, improved how I positioned myself, and saw a big jump in final-round interviews and overall confidence.
It’s a rare opportunity to get expert, personalized support, which is something most jobseekers don’t have. Tapping into it early can make a huge difference.
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