The Autumn term at Imperial is intense, especially for Master’s students balancing academic pressure with the challenge of settling into a new environment. One strategy made all the difference for me: prioritising social connection. Saying yes to events, even when I was busy, helped me build a support network early on. I particularly enjoyed Business School-wide events, which allowed me to meet peers from other programmes and make friends outside the classroom. Whether studying together in the library or debriefing at the Union, these connections helped me manage stress and keep things in perspective. 

I came to Imperial determined to make the most of every opportunity for personal and professional growth. I joined 180 Degrees Consulting as an Associate and was later promoted to Project Lead which was my first experience in leadership and consulting. It also gave me the chance to collaborate with students outside the Business School, including those studying medicine and biochemistry. I also joined the Imperial Student Investment Fund, where I became Sector Lead for the Real Estate team. This role helped me learn and apply financial modelling skills while expanding my network across different courses. 

Networking was all about saying yes to society meetups, postgraduate parties, and staying connected with professors and classmates via LinkedIn. Looking back, I wish I’d joined Coffee Connect meetups. At the time, I worried I wouldn’t have the bandwidth, but I now realise even short conversations can lead to surprising connections. 

The Careers Primer and mock interviews helped me identify adaptability and initiative as key strengths. Coming from a non-finance background, I took the initiative to teach myself valuation techniques through Wall Street Prep and Bloomberg training. These resources, along with support from the Careers team,  such as 1:1 mock interviews gave me the confidence to pursue roles and interviews with greater clarity.