My name is Aakriti Jhunjhunwala and I am currently studying the Global Online MBA programme at Imperial Business School.

When I applied for an online programme, I had many reservations about what my experience would be. Among my reservations, primary were the doubts that I would lose out on valuable opportunities like being part of Imperial’s many extra-curricular Career Clubs and leadership committees, and also that I would not be able to foster meaningful relationships with my classmates.

However, when I started the programme, I realised that online students are offered each and every prospect as the in-person students and the only obstacle is to select which of the hundreds of amazing roles and events you devote your time and energy to!

After a week of being tempted to sign myself up for everything that came my way. I hunkered down and focused mainly on two organisations– the Student-Staff Committee (SSC) and the Imperial Business School Student Investment Fund.

In this blog I will share my application process, experience thus far and the benefits I have reaped from both these roles.

Student-Staff Committee

At the beginning of each programme intake year, the students are given the opportunity to democratically elect their representatives to form the cohort’s SSC, which you can think of as a mini student council or student government for each programme. The goal of the SSC is to create an interface between the students, the Programme team and the faculty, to promote the highest standards of education, in a cooperative and constructive environment.

There are four different leadership roles within each SSC – the Chair, Social Leader, Academic Leader and Careers Leader. I applied for the role of Social Leader as I really enjoy planning events and meeting new people and thus, I thought I would be able to contribute the most in this role.

The application process required me to write a statement covering my motivation to take on the role, the skills and qualities that would help me succeed and examples of initiatives I would plan for my peers as Social Leader. Applicant statements were then anonymised and circulated among the cohort for students to vote on. Fortunately, my classmates supported my candidacy and I was elected!

As Social Leader, I have the responsibility to encourage, plan and support events and activities that foster relationships and builds connections between my classmates. Imperial even extends a social budget every term that I can allocate towards different community building events. The SSC not only allows me to connect with my cohort, but also provides occasions to liaise with Social Leaders from other MBA cohorts and organise cross-programme social opportunities.

A core function of the role is to liaise with the programme team and faculty to communicate any doubts or needs that the class may have to them. This is a great opportunity to get facetime with the people behind the scenes at Imperial and actually tailor everyone’s educational experience.

So far, the experience of being Social Leader has been incredibly rewarding for me. I have organised five events – each with a different theme, different collaborators and different audience.

For example, I collaborated with the Imperial Enterprise Lab and hosted a custom startup pitch contest (think Shark Tank or Dragon’s Den) for my cohort. In doing so not only was I able to learn more about the Imperial Enterprise Lab and establish connections with its administrative team, but also converse with my classmates about their passion projects.

Another event was a Q&A panel with Global Online MBA student leaders from another cohort. This event gave me the chance to connect with an SSC Social Leader from that class and also hone my public speaking skills as I moderated the panel.

The SSC Social Leader role continues to challenge me. I have to be innovative with event planning and creative with event promotion. It pushes me out of my comfort zone, especially on days when I’m feeling lazy or on days when networking is low priority in a long list of to-dos!

Imperial Business School Student Investment Fund

The fund was established in 2018 and is Imperial’s first student-led investment fund, with £100,000 in assets under management. It is divided into fundamental and quantitative departments.

Since I am an Equity Trader and Investor by profession, I was instantly attracted to this Imperial organisation and keen to be a part of it from day one. My motivation to join was that I wanted to expand my knowledge of European and American Equity Markets, so I applied for the role of Junior Equity Research Analyst in the Consumer Staples department.

The application process was quite comprehensive with a qualitative component requiring applicants to discuss their background, motivation and skill set, and also a technical component requiring applicants to put together a stock-pitch and present it to the interviewer. The application process itself was very educational for me.

To my surprise, I was selected to be the Senior Equity Research Analyst for the role, a promotion from the Junior Equity Research Analyst role I had applied for, due to my relevant and extensive work experience. That said, my team consists of students who did not have prior experience in Equity Research but demonstrated their keenness to learn and contribute, and hence they were selected into the organisation. So even if you don’t have a background in research but are curious about Equity Investment then I encourage you to apply!

As Senior Equity Research Analyst, I manage a team of six junior analysts that come from various places across the globe and study a variety of topics at Imperial. This role marked the first time I have managed such a diverse group! During our meetings for the Student Investment Fund, I learned as much about leadership, diversity and inclusion as I did about Equity Research.

For example, after a few meetings in the first term, I recognised that a simple thing like turning on the transcript feature when conducting video calls allows a team member to be able to cope with the gamete of different accents and at the same time feel empowered when communicating themselves.

As a team leader, it is my responsibility to encourage even my quietest team member to speak up and voice their thoughts. This realisation compelled the extrovert in me to step off the stage and instead facilitate the discussion amidst the group from behind the scenes.

I joined the fund to learn more about Equity Investments (which I most certainly did), however, I also got unexpected and valuable lessons in leadership!

Benefits of extra-curricular participation

The benefits of extra-curricular participation are extensive and often intangible to capture entirely. However, the top 10 key benefits I have personally experienced in the last six months are:

• Fostering deeper relationships with classmates
• Collaborating with students from different programmes in the wider Imperial community
• Connecting with faculty and the programme team
• Honing time management and boosting productivity
• Upgrading organisational process and tools
• Improving written and verbal communication
• Learning the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion and how to represent the interest of each member of the group as a team leader
• Mastering facilitation and hosting of events with a diverse group of people
• Practicing setting a direction for a team, mobilising the team in that direction and motivating teammates to overcome obstacles
• Exemplifying a range of managerial and leadership abilities to potential employers

In conclusion, my Imperial extra-curricular participation has been extremely fulfilling. I highly recommend all current and future students to significantly enhance their Imperial experience by getting involved in the Imperial community!

The 25-week programme, launched in January 2022, offers an interdisciplinary learning experience that will help professionals build in-demand skills to give them a competitive edge in machine learning and artificial intelligence – innovative technologies that are transforming the future of business.

In response to the growing need for professionals in the fields of machine learning and AI, Imperial Business School has launched, in partnership with global online education provider Emeritus the Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. The 25-week online programme will help learners acquire a unique combination of advanced technical expertise and the business acumen to put machine learning and AI into practice – and help them navigate the search for exciting opportunities in these fields.

Many companies are almost paralysed when it comes to digital transformation. There's so much happening right now they either don't know where to begin or how to make the maximum impact with the tools they already have.

Each contributing a unique perspective to the programme, Imperial’s Professors Wolfram Wiesemann, Ruth Misener, Christopher Tucci and Senior Teaching Fellow Alex Ribeiro-Castro will help learners develop a comprehensive understanding of machine learning and AI – and verse them in the intricacies that are critical to achieving success in the field.

“Many companies are almost paralysed when it comes to digital transformation. There's so much happening right now they either don't know where to begin or how to make the maximum impact with the tools they already have,” says Professor Tucci. “Our programme prepares professionals to help businesses harness the power of machine learning and AI and understand how they can be leveraged to meet objectives – while also using technology as a source for good in the world.”

“As the impact of machine learning and AI increases, it is critical for businesses to think about how they will leverage these technologies – now and in the future,” says Erin Rosenblatt, Vice President of Professional Certificates at Emeritus. “We at Emeritus are excited to partner once again with Imperial Business School to help professionals learn the true impact of machine learning and AI and discover opportunities in a dynamic, exciting field. At Emeritus, our mission is to equip today’s leaders with tomorrow’s skills, delivering a world-class, accessible and affordable education to all.”

The Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence is geared towards professionals in IT, engineering, data and business analytics, as well as recent STEM graduates and academics who want to enter an industry with high career growth potential. The 25-week programme is priced at £3,995, including instruction fees, academic materials and access to online coursework. To learn more, visit here.

I’ll be honest with you, until the start of my MSc Management programme in September 2021, I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself into. I had accepted my offer, completed my pre-study modules in the summer and scrolled through the programme web pages more times than I could count. And yet, I still felt out of my league.

I did my undergraduate degree in psychology. What little business-related knowledge I had was from working at my family business before starting my studies at Imperial Business School. I had no clue how I would fare approaching a new line-up of modules and topics I have never touched on before.

It would come as a pleasant surprise that the MSc Management programme is, well, quite manageable.

Everyone takes the first step together

Imperial constructed the MSc Management programme for students with little to no academic background in business or management. Rest assured that the programme’s infrastructure will fill in any gaps in your knowledge and provide you with plenty of opportunities to put your skills to practical use. For students who come from a business background, you might be more suited to the MSc International Management programme.

Keep in mind that you and your peers start the programme from the basics together. The mandatory core modules in the Autumn and Spring terms are there to lay out the foundations of your journey at Imperial and for your future career path.

However, keep in mind that the skills and experiences you have collected so far will not be wasted. If anything, your background – whatever it may be – will more likely be an advantage than a disadvantage.

What demonstrated this point to me was being part of my syndicate team. A syndicate team is the people you will work with on group coursework during the first term. You meet your syndicate team early in the programme during induction week, where you will have the opportunity to get to know each other through a series of activities.

Many teams, if not all, will realise from the get-go that the composition of their members is very diverse. Everyone in my six-person team originated from a different country and studied entirely different subjects for our undergraduate degrees.

 A group of diverse backgrounds and experiences  

Group coursework seemed intimidating at first, especially early on when we had yet to gauge each other’s skills and knowledge. However, we were quickly able to turn our diverse backgrounds into an advantage when generating ideas and dividing up work according to each person’s strengths and interests.

The first graded assignment of the MSc Management programme was a group project for our Marketing Decisions module. The assignment gave us the freedom to create a product – either something completely brand new or a build-on to an already existing product or service – and to formulate a marketing plan for it. Each of us volunteered to undertake a section of the marketing plan we’re most interested in and split off to complete our tasks.

Incidentally, the product we decided to develop required psychological research to support the validity and benefits of our offering. I was happy to take up the role of digging further into the psychological theory behind our product, given my familiarity with scouring through research papers.

While I had enjoyed studying psychology during my undergraduate years, I realised that I did not want to enter the medical or academic fields as an occupation. Instead, I discovered great satisfaction in this project, where I was able to conduct psychological research for marketing purposes and see how these concepts could be incorporated into our product.

It was a relief to realise that my research skills and my background in psychology have not become irrelevant just because I am now at business school. In fact, the two subjects blend into each other very well and consolidated my decision to pursue the marketing specialism of the programme later in the academic year.

An integrated approach to business school

By choosing to study at Imperial, you don’t merely go to lectures, do your coursework, and take your exams. Imperial integrates opportunities to take an extra step into the core of its programme, which will translate into habits and experiences you can apply beyond your time in university.

Being assigned to a syndicate team is one striking example of this. Nowadays, collaborating with an international, cross-functional team is more often the norm than the exception. In addition, being able to flexibly communicate through a hybrid of in-person meetings and online video calls has only become more prevalent as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is understandable to feel unprepared and anxious. Like most team-based projects, you will all get a little lost together sometimes. At other times, you will also figure out many things together.

Recognise that everyone, including you, has something to bring to the table.

As a Weekend MBA student at Imperial Business School, I am studying my MBA while also working full-time.

I have had a varied and highly successful career. Having worked in both Germany and Turkey I am now Head of Marketing Activation for GROHE UK, a leading global sanitary brand that is a key business in the LIXIL group.

It was a big decision for me to commit to a part-time MBA while also having a (very busy) full-time job. However, I wanted to develop myself both professionally and personally and felt the MBA was the right step to take for my future.

My experience studying a part-time Weekend MBA

The Weekend MBA is a unique programme format that gives you the opportunity to keep your current professional responsibilities and get your MBA degree in 21 months. This is a serious commitment that you need to align with your employer and your partner and/or family.

Just before I started this journey, my husband gave me a book called ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. This book shines a light on how to implement good working practices and habits in order to succeed. Throughout the Weekend MBA you will need to develop a good routine and bring consistency into your life – more than you already might have or do.

In the first year of the Weekend MBA, you have once-a-month Friday – Sunday classes. The rest of the time you are required to self-study while continuing with your daily job. This means you need to juggle work, schoolwork, and the many deadlines for both.

There are times where it can get tough. Especially when deadlines draw near. Overall you are expected to put in 20 hours a week of additional self-study but be mindful that this can go up to 30 hours around deadlines.

This may sound intimidating, but you are never alone. You know that your cohort is in the same situation. You also regularly communicate with your syndicate team with weekly calls, even if it is just to lend each other a friendly ear.

There are some key actions that help me to maintain my work-life balance and I believe it could help you if you are considering a part-time programme as well:

1. Be consistent

Be consistent and try to do something every day. Whether that means getting up a little earlier, skipping an episode of your favourite Netflix show, or using your commute to study, try to do something every day. This will help limit the risk of the reading or assignments from piling up. There is nothing worse than feeling overwhelmed with work - so spread the workload!

2. Create a schedule

Plan your own assessments and your group assignments deadlines well. You can have up to six people in your syndicate teams. Sometimes people are in different time zones and all have busy lives as well. It is important to set milestones for deliverables and set expectations and clear accountabilities from the beginning. Plan it thoroughly if needed with your team – and build in a couple of days as a buffer. You never know – life can get in the way!

3. Invest in your network

Have an open mind to learning new things and meeting new people. Two years go by fast. We have a very diverse cohort that is representative of the different backgrounds, professions, and experiences throughout the wider Business School. There are numerous opportunities to meet new people and learn new things. Don’t hesitate to approach people and try new things.

4. Enjoy ‘me time’

Lastly, don’t forget to look after yourself and spend time with your loved ones. I try to squeeze in some Pilates and go for a run during my busy schedule. I need to have some 'me' time to refuel for the next big project at work or school assignment. Make sure to spend time with your family and friends who will be your biggest support. Somehow you will find the time to do activities that bring you joy!

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at times, but it’s also a lot of fun. I have learned so much already. If you remember why you are doing the MBA and what you are hoping to get out of it, it will feel easier.

And when it does get too much then don’t suffer in silence, talk to your family, syndicate team, or even the programme team. Everyone is there to support you and it’s worth it!

At the beginning of 2021, I decided to go back to school to study for an MBA in order to aid my career and further develop my skills and network. Having done the hard work of researching business school rankings and their accreditations, the relative specialisms of different schools, the economics of doing an MBA, and the programme content and style of delivery, I discovered which school I like best. Interviews and applications over, and with multiple offers received, I was delighted to accept my offer from Imperial Business School!

Incredibly, and having spoken to many other Black students I realised I wasn’t alone in this, I started looking around for people like me! It is remarkable that one of the first things we all seem to do is look up and around to find people with whom we have a shared identity – be it nationality, age, industry experience, race or ethnicity. For me, my postgraduate degree is about more than just the qualification. So soon after starting my MBA, my attention soon turned to student life, community and ‘experience’.

I remember being a young student trying to select which university to go to. I visited a number of Russell Group universities and one of my litmus tests was ‘how many Black faces did I see on campus?’.

The underlying premise of the thought – if there were a few other Black faces and they seem relatively happy, then I could probably be comfortable in this environment too. I looked for small clues about the institution I considered attending as tiny can shed insight into its culture and aspirations. The small things matter.

If you’re a Black student and you’re thinking of coming to the Business School, why should you apply and accept an offer if successful? Here’s my view.

1. The power of the social network

One of the reasons many of us go to business school is to network and meet interesting, smart and driven people. It’s great to be in an open university in such a multicultural melting pot like London, but it’s also reassuring to be around the comfortable and family, especially when far from home.

Imperial London has a thriving African Caribbean Society and also the Africa Business Club at the Business School, which brings together people who have a nexus with the African continent, either by heritage or by interest. As part of a student-led initiative, the university is exploring establishing a Black students alumni network, again as a avenue through which those with a shared affinity can connect, while studying and once they have graduated.

There is a growing community of Black and mixed Black students at the School, both on campus and  via its pioneering online programmes, which draw people in from across the world. Knowing there are ‘others like you’ who if you find it easier to reach out to in time of need or discomfort, is a great psychological benefit on your academic journey.  

2. Funding and scholarships

Not all Black students will come from the same socio-economic background. Some will come from very well-off homes. However, on the balance of probabilities, many more of them will not, and the cost of coming to a top business school will be prohibitive.

At the business school level, while many postgraduate students have more work experience under their belt and may be able to contribute to their Master’s or MBA, there is still a question about funding and how to make sure that each individual can get the opportunity to receive support where required. I was fortunate to receive a partial scholarship from Imperial Business School towards my programme.

Imperial acknowledges that students from Black and mixed Black backgrounds are underrepresented in the current student body and want to improve on this. As mentioned before, being around other Black students and witnessing their growth and development is inspiring so it’s important to make sure that there is more representation at the School.

The Black Future Leader Scholarship is one of the ways that the School wants to encourage more Black and mixed Black students to apply and showcase their potential. Open to all regions, the scholarship is available for all programmes and covers 50% of the recipient’s tuition. I’d encourage all Black students to apply. It’s also worth mentioning that there is a certain element of prestige and recognition that comes with securing a scholarship.

3. The importance of role models

Seeing ‘people like you’ is one thing. But seeing them in positions of influence and esteemed by others, brings the unattainable that bit closer. When I spoke to other Black students at the Business School, one point that was consistently made, was the importance of seeking Black academic staff.

This was beautifully captured by Full-Time MBA alumnus Teniola Essen, who is also the former head of the Africa Business Club, who noted the positive impact of Black academic staff on students. It sends a meaningful message to all students, black and white students alike, and every colour in between.

While the challenge of the lack of Black academic staff in academia is well known, there are other incremental steps that institutions can take to inspire and level-set. For example, I enjoyed the recent Dambisa Moyo book launch event, run by the Brevan Howard Centre, which is one of the Business School’s research centre. Dambisa is a renowned economist of Zambian heritage and is a member of the Barclays Bank Board. Hearing her speak about the purpose of the Board, and experiences on them was inspiring to many white and Black faces in the room alike.

Being a dual national myself, a British-Sierra Leoneon (born in the UK), I’m pretty chuffed to have also attended a talk by Yvette Stevens, MSc Electrical Power Systems and Machines 1974, who after graduating from Imperial, became Sierra Leone's first female engineer, and consequently an ambassador for her country (also the country of my heritage coincidentally). She was recently awarded this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award by Imperial. In her own words, “Being a student at Imperial is an advantage you need to make the most of. And there are other aspects to life at Imperial beyond your degree. Working with people from different cultures was really important for me. Of course, I had no idea I would end up working for the UN, but my time at Imperial prepared me for this. The education you get from Imperial is second to none.”

4. Representative programme content

Having case studies of successful Black businesses people and businesses or citing Black academics can inspire confidence and welcomed familiarity to black students. At Imperial, the School has introduced a compulsory ‘Working in Diverse Organisations’ module which teaches the foundations of unconscious bias and the benefits of diverse and inclusive workplaces. This is a great step in the right direction, and staff are being encouraged to identify and utilise case studies and people that represent their diverse student population.

In summary, all of these things and more convinced me to join Imperial Business School, and have consequently reaffirmed my decision upon joining.  Is there more to do? Of course there is, but I am filled with sense of pride and hope when I see the steps that have been taken so far.

In September, the Weekend MBA class of 2020-21 set off on a trip of a lifetime to the spectacular country of Iceland for their Global Experience Week. This hands-on, cultural immersion module exposes MBA candidates to a new culture and business market. In today’s global business environment, it’s important for students to adopt an international perspective, and the Global Experience Week is a chance to develop this important skill.

Iceland: a sustainable business hub

Every year our students head to a different country for the Global Experience Week: in 2021 the destination was Iceland. Renowned for being a leader in sustainability, Iceland was the perfect place to learn about the latest innovations in renewable energy and green business practices.

Meeting their classmates at the airport, along with some students from the Global Online MBA (this module is an option part of their programme), the group boarded the flight for a week-long adventure. Spending an entire week with their classmates is a great opportunity for the class to step away from the business of working while studying for their MBA part-time, and get to know one another better.

Throughout the week, students heard from some of the most inspiring minds in Iceland. From business leaders, industry experts and politicians, these presentations shared insight into the shape of the business landscape in the country. They then had the chance to see some of these innovations in practice:

Outside of talks and networking, the students experienced the stunning natural environment of Iceland. Walking through ice caves, climbing volcanoes and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon were all on the agenda.

The Global Experience Week isn’t just a trip to explore a new business market, but also a time to reflect and apply the knowledge learned over the course of the MBA:

A group of national housing providers have joined together with Imperial Business School Executive Education, supported by Altair, to launch the Future Leaders Programme specifically aimed at cultivating the next sector leaders in housing. The ambition is to create a sustainable legacy by providing a diverse pipeline of participants with the skills and mindset to become future leaders. It aims to address the lack of diversity at senior leadership within the sector and make clear that diverse leadership needs to be a national focus.

The Future Leaders Programme is a robust nine-month learning journey bringing together 18 mid-level managers from ethnic minority backgrounds from across the country. It provides an opportunity for participants to work on their capacity for soft power and develop their authentic leadership style, by providing tools to help participants lead their teams, influence others and be intentional about their legacy.

The Programme has been founded by The Guinness Partnership, Abri, Sovereign Housing Association, Places for People, Bromford Group, Onward Homes, and includes a leadership journey from world-renowned Imperial Business School. Topics covered will include Leadership Purpose, Psychological Safety, and Managing your Personal Brand among others, and will be delivered by academics from Imperial College Business School and experienced industry practitioners. These content sessions combined with facilitated activities and regular peer to peer coaching, brings together both the theory and practice to help build confidence in the participants ability lead and not just manage.

Catriona Simons, Chief Executive of one of the founding members, The Guinness Partnership, said:

''The under-representation of black and ethnic minority people at senior levels across so many sectors means we risk missing out on huge talent and diversity of thought. The housing crisis is one of this country's biggest immediate and long-term challenges, and to tackle it we must ensure we are investing in our leaders now and into the future, as well as promoting an inclusive sector for all those who engage with social housing. We have an inspiring group in our first cohort, and we look forward to supporting their growth into the next generation of housing leaders".

David Brown, Director of Executive Education at Imperial Business School highlights the importance of programmes such as this:

"Increasing and improving social housing, developing a cadre of leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds, and increasing diversity are all crucial issues for 21st century Britain. Imperial is delighted to be working with Altair and a consortium of forward-thinking Housing Associations to achieve these goals in an innovative and highly effective programme. Congratulations and good luck to the first cohort".

Applications for this year of the programme have closed. however. to find out more about the programme or to discuss how you could get involved in the future please contact Darren Smith, Consultant, Altair via email at darren.smith@altairltd.co.uk.

Aside from professional advice, the group encourages its members to chat about all aspects of their lives. Quinet has found that she’s been able to develop deeper connections with fellow members by learning about their interests outside of the MBA:

Women tend to share quite a lot in common and because of the history we share as fellow MBA candidates, we can hold one another up and together to win. It may seem counterintuitive, but speaking about hobbies and interests outside of the business world will enable us develop an even stronger connections and may give one a reason to stay in touch outside of classwork.

The past two years has presented its challenges, but despite this, Lizzy moved halfway across the world from San Francisco to London just before starting the Weekend MBA.

Imperial MBA Women has been so important to me, especially right at the start of lockdown. I moved from San Francisco to London in February, went into lockdown in March, and then started the MBA in April fully remote. The group provided me with an amazing support system of women who I could instantly connect with, who were also going through similar experiences.

Overall, I would say the female friendships and connections that I've made at Imperial have been the highlight of my MBA experience thus far!

You can find out more about Imperial MBA Women on the LinkedIn page.