On my first day of induction week at Imperial, I sat between a literal doctor and a student who had finished their undergraduate degree just months earlier. Within moments, I was asking myself a question that, as it turns out, many people around me were wondering internally too: where do I fit in?

I’m only one month in, and that question feels almost silly. Looking back, those early doubts were the starting point for everything that has come together since.

Welcome to the EU Careers first post of the 2026-2027 academic year! I’m a European student doing a Master’s at Imperial Business School, and I’m here to share my (very) recently acquired knowledge on how rigorous and rewarding the first month can be, especially when it feels overwhelming.

If you’re a prospective student, particularly one thinking about starting your career in Europe, this post is for you. And if you’ve just started like me, I hope it’s a reminder that you’re not the only one acclimatising.

Here are the four main takeaways that have shaped my first month at Imperial:

1. Everyone comes here with a different starting point

My programme’s cohort is a mix of people at very different stages: I have two years of work experience, some classmates are straight out of their undergraduate degrees, and others are certified clinicians. We also arrived with very different ideas of what a Master’s looks like, depending on whether we studied in the United Kingdom, continental Europe or somewhere further afield. We’re all right where we need to be, and we’re all learning from each other, in every direction.

So if you’re worried about being behind, let me tell you now: you’re not. What I quickly learned here is that feeling “behind” usually means measuring yourself against the wrong benchmark. It’s like comparing two people’s step counts in different parts of London: one might be climbing the ups and downs of Notting Hill while the other trots along the Southbank. Same city, completely different routes.

2. Talking to other students is key

Once you see those differences, you see how much your peers can offer. For me, that has meant using my recruiter skills to help recent grads build their CVs, being taught probabilities by a finance major and watching others swap first-hand experience of each other’s sectors of interest. Having gaps pushes you to ask for help, and Imperial’s environment is extremely conducive to these kinds of conversations.

I’ve had several students reach out to me because they heard I’ve worked in a country I’m not from, an experience many students from Imperial are bound to have. They wanted to know how I handled the visa, what the workplace culture was like, and how I even found the job in the first place. These are all topics we’ll be covering this year, so keep an eye out. I also met other students through the Imperial Business School Continental Europe Business Club, and it was a relief to talk to others who were figuring out the same move.

Talking to others has an added benefit when you’re overwhelmed. Once you start building connections, you realise quickly that everyone feels like they’re catching up, and you are absolutely not the only one.

3. Overwhelm is normal

Induction is full-on. You’re meeting everyone at once, making friends and, in many ways, working out where you fit in. Imposter syndrome is real, and I definitely felt it too, but remember that your seat was given to you for a reason. And if you’re a prospective student, know that there isn’t one type of Imperial postgraduate profile.

Careers questions also come up very quickly, which can feel stressful alongside new classes, new academic expectations and a whole new life structure. The good news is that there’s less pressure than it feels like. And, as an European student, a student interested in the EU, or a prospective student, you’ll find that European recruitment runs to its own timelines with applications coming up later in the year. That said, the pressure around careers is still felt, and Imperial has magnificent resources to help.

By week two, things had settled as everyone got into the groove of balancing school and other priorities. Now, a month in, a careers event after class or an interview feels normal, not daunting. Just yesterday I had a final presentation in the morning and a recruitment event in the evening. Week-one me would have panicked; now it’s just a Tuesday.

4. Finding the right resources for you

Imperial’s support is there to be used, so start early. Here’s what has helped me:

• The EU Hub: the European Careers Module taught me how to tailor my CV and how European employers think differently from UK ones.
• Careers resources: events, workshops and a tailored European Careers Week, all designed around how European recruitment actually works. Stay up to date with the EU Hub to make sure you don’t miss the right ones for you.
• 1:1 appointments: whether it’s for your CV, your cover letters or just a general chat, they’re so helpful in keeping you grounded in your search.

[“Coming up” section can be removed if we’re unable to post before 26th]

Coming up: look out for our EU Alumni Connections on Wednesday 4 November and Tuesday 10 November, where alumni will meet students 1:1. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge directly from people who’ve done it, sign up while spaces are still available. If you’re a prospective student, don’t forget to look out for these events when you’re here. A month ago I was asking where I fit in. Now I know the answer: right here, alongside everyone else who was wondering the same thing.