Gill Hauzmann

About you

What work experience/internships did you have before beginning with Imperial College Business School?

I’ve had quite a varied working life leading up to my time at Imperial. I have experience working in tech consulting and teaching in Denmark, as well a stint in Shanghai working in marketing and product development for a real estate and relocation company. I also completed an internship in venture capital just before beginning the MSc International Management programme, working as a Summer Associate in London dealing with American, Israeli and European tech startups.

Why did you decide to study an MSc International Management at Imperial College Business School?

I chose to study MSc International Management as I have already lived, studied and worked in four different countries around the world, and wanted to dive deeper into management from a global perspective. The numerous international opportunities provided on this programme, combined with the exceptionally high number of electives that I could tailor to my specific interests in technology and digital innovation, was something I truly found compelling. I chose Imperial because the university is built on engineering principles and emphasises a structured analytical approach to problem solving, while incorporating technology and innovation into the wider learning environment. 

Did you receive a scholarship?

Yes, I was a recipient of the Imperial Business Scholarship, awarded to students demonstrating all-round excellence.

Programme

What aspects of the programme do you most enjoy the most?

I truly enjoy the flexibility of being able to tailor the programme to my needs. The vast selection of electives and projects made it possible for me to choose modules which corresponded to my interests in venture capital, technology, and digital innovation.

Which has been your favourite module so far and why?

I really enjoyed Competitive and Corporate Strategy, taught by Dr Christiane Bode. In general, I have had limited exposure to strategy and I really appreciated learning more about this. I truly enjoyed Christiane’s approach and found it to be very effective, as were the numerous guest lecturers whom she invited to speak to us.

What has been the most rewarding part of the programme?

Being able to experience a more holistic approach and a wider understanding of how the relationships between different modules work in practice is something I have found very rewarding. I have also gained an enhanced appreciation of the various cultures that exist in both business and academic settings.

What has been the most challenging part of the programme? 

The changes we all faced due to COVID-19 meant most students travelled back to their respective countries. The result is that our cohort has now been spread across several time zones, which combined with the transition to online learning has certainly been a challenge.

How was the Leadership in Action module and international trip* to Bangalore beneficial to you?

I had the pleasure of spending a week in Bangalore, working with a local property technology startup. Not only did I learn a lot about the local culture and work ethic, I also gained an understanding of what a design thinking consulting project looks like in practice, whilst having the added benefit of frequent mentoring from Dr Jaemin Lee, an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Business School.

People

How would you describe your cohort at Imperial?

Extremely versatile and international with a wide range of interests and aspirations.

Did you have a favourite professor/lecturer and why?

I took an elective called Strategy & Innovation in Digital Business taught by Professor Nelson Phillips. Professor Nelson has the ability to run the module and lectures in a very conversational way, while still presenting valuable lessons and material. He also incorporated some very interesting case studies into his class and invited several extraordinary guest speakers.  

Opportunities

What has been the greatest opportunity you have had at Imperial?

Spending a week in India*, gaining practical experience and sharing numerous amazing experiences with my cohort.

Which workshops, events or guest lectures at the school have been useful in developing your skills and knowledge?

I attended a few society talks and guest lectures around the topic of venture capital which is an area I aspire to work in. These events definitely helped me gain new perspectives on the subject while also making new connections.

Have you had opportunities to work/socialise with students across programmes within the Business School?

Yes, we have had several social events, including a boat party and masquerade ball. The Business School is a very close community, making encounters with students across programmes very easy. A lot of the electives are also shared and if you opt to spend time in the societies and clubs, the cross-programme engagement is very high.

How have you found the unprecedented switch to remote delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

I think Imperial was quite quick to act when the pandemic started in Europe. All lectures and materials were made available online, ensuring the progression of our programme with minimal disruption.

Career

What are your future career goals and how have they been realised since being at Imperial?

I want to start my career in product management within the tech industry before moving into venture capital. I believe I am on the right path to realise my future career goals following my time at Imperial, as I have gained a better understanding of various business functions and have also learned to think more managerially.   

London Location

Do you think studying in a central location such as London is beneficial for networking and career opportunities?

I do believe it is beneficial to be studying in London in general. I think this is especially true if you are specifically interested in finance and consulting. On the other hand, almost every company has some kind of office in London, so it is always possible to network and improve your career possibilities by being here.

Where do you live in London and why did you choose to live there?

I live in Fitzrovia in Central London. I chose to live here as I am living with four of my good friends from my undergraduate degree. I did not directly choose to live here, it just happened that we were extremely lucky to get a nice modern apartment right next to where we used to study. However, I have really grown to like the area as it is extremely central without having any tourist attractions, which gives it a very local feel.

When you’re not studying, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy exploring the food scene in London and going to small gigs. I’ve also enjoyed going to comedy nights, and, as I had lived in London for three years prior to starting the programme at Imperial, I have benefited from having a vast network of friends to meet with regularly. London is also home to a great tech and startup scene, and I have spent many evenings attending speaker and networking sessions around the city.

What have been the benefits and challenges of moving to London? What advice would you give to someone in a similar position?

London can be an extremely rewarding city to live in but also tough at the same time. There are always things happening, but it can also feel very hectic and difficult to focus at times with so many people in one place. I would advise anyone new moving to London to not rush into decisions like where to live, as a lot of newcomers find it exciting to live in the most central and famous areas. However, it is important to appreciate that some of the lesser known areas have a unique identity and local charm which can be just as appealing.

Tips

Looking back to when you were applying for the programme, did you attend any online webinars or on-campus information sessions?

I attended an information session on-campus in my final year of my undergraduate degree in London. I found this very useful as I was able to hear more about the Business School and different programmes. I was also able to talk to people from the programme team directly and meet current students studying the different degrees. I would wholeheartedly recommend prospective students to attend these types of events if possible.    

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about applying for the programme?

Do your research beforehand and reach out to as many people as possible. There is a chance that the programme is not for you or not in line with your career or general aspirations. However, by researching and talking to different people, you may also realise that this is the perfect programme and School for you, and the perfect place to spend the next 12 months of your life.  

*Previous classes travelled to Brazil and India with the Leadership in Action module. The future locations students will travel to on the module are not confirmed.