Tennessee Watt

Tennessee chose MSc Management to broaden her knowledge of business beyond her undergraduate level. Imperial interested her, partly because of the practical workshops with top employers like McKinsey and Harrods. She was looking to for experiences to inform her future career options.

Your time at Imperial College Business School

Why did you choose to study your programme and why specifically at Imperial College Business School?

I chose the MSc Management programme due to its ability to broaden my knowledge of business beyond what I had studied at undergraduate level. The scope of the programme included practical classes in marketing and finance, and workshops with top employers like McKinsey and Harrods. I knew that these experiences would inform my future career options.

I selected Imperial College Business School due to the global perspective which underpins the educational experience there. I was able to undertake international study, and work with a diverse cohort of over 30 nationalities around the world. These opportunities developed my understanding of different economies and cultures. Additionally, Imperial is one of the best universities in the world, with excellence in research and teaching. I strongly desired to benefit from Imperial’s prestigious global reputation among employers and academics.

What was the most important learning point you took with you from the Business School?

It is difficult to pin down the most important aspect from my time at the Business School. However, one of the most useful tools has been the digital specialisation I studied as part of my degree. I was able to learn about how the internet and data have changed the dynamics of business economics and strategy. This included assessing the impact of reviews on a corporation’s strategic approach, and thinking about how digital platforms can help companies build and maintain communities. A key part of my current job involves analysing the online reputations of companies, and strategising innovative campaigns which effectively engage their audiences. Without the Digital specialisation, I believe it would have taken me longer to understand the digital age within which all of today’s organisations operate.

What advice would you give to a prospective student considering studying the same programme as you?

I would tell anyone thinking about studying MSc Management to network with Imperial employees, current students and alumni to learn more about the programme. Although the information available online is informative, I found that speaking to alumni was helpful in terms of receiving advice on managing the workload, and the types of extra curricular activities to take on. This was important as there were so many extra classes, clubs and societies to join, I needed to select a few which would be the most beneficial.

Tell us about your current job

What do you enjoy most about your current work and what are the main challenges that you face?

I work as an Executive on the Digital team at Brunswick Group, a strategic corporate communications advisory firm. Brunswick Group helps companies to manage their reputations at critical moments. This involves launching campaigns, financial reports, and digital content in order to tell the most impactful stories.

I enjoy the dynamism of my current work. In an average day, I may run a digital campaign, monitor online discussion during a crisis, build an audience in Excel, and attend a strategic brainstorm. These varied responsibilities make work extremely interesting. However, it is also a challenge to develop skills in several areas at the same time, and gain sufficient knowledge of clients’ different industries.

How do you plan to use the skills and knowledge you gained during the programme within your career going forward?

I use the strategy and marketing skills I gained to solve complex problems such as requests from clients to reposition their brands within the marketplace. Additionally, I took classes on effective negotiation and networking which I believe will help me to navigate my career path.

What is your proudest achievement in the job so far?

My proudest achievement so far is conducting social media monitoring on a client crisis, and receiving a shout-out from the senior partner on the client team during our Monday morning meeting!

Alumni community

In what way is remaining connected to your alumni network important to you?

Attending alumni events has provided me with friends and contacts in various sectors. This is very useful in my line of work, which is all about making and maintaining connections. The Imperial alumni network is extensive, putting me in a great position to have a global career. At my current workplace, I work with several Imperial graduates, many of whom have studied the same programme as me. There is a sense of camaraderie when meeting other Imperial alumni.

Have you volunteered at the Business School since you graduated? If so, why do you feel it’s important to volunteer your time and experience?

I have volunteered at the Business School since graduating, and I enjoy giving back to the Imperial community. I have attended several Management Master’s information sessions, speaking with students about my Imperial experience and current employment. I find it so fulfilling to give advice to students who are in the same position I was in only a few years ago.