Young-In Youn

About you

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

Before coming to Imperial, I worked as an intern at Universal Music in Seoul, at the artist management company IMG Artists in Germany and at a consulting firm in Munich called Actori GmbH. In 2019, I also founded a Christian non-profit media organisation for which I have worked with more than 100+ creatives across multiple media series. All of these experiences have motivated me to pursue a Master’s in Management because I recognised a skill and knowledge gap between what I was able to do and what I wanted to do.

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

During my Bachelor’s studies in Music, I found out that I had a passion for empowering people to do what they love and be better at what they are best at. However, to truly support these people in a realistic and practical way, I realised that I needed to develop my managerial skills and business knowledge. No programme other than Imperial’s MSc Management offered such a tight integration of both theory and practical hands-on experiences through extensive case studies, group work, an entrepreneurship project and more. The rankings of the programme and the brand of the university truly speak for themselves!

Programme

What aspects of the programme do you enjoy the most?

I appreciate how the programme succeeds in combining broadness with depth — across all eight core modules covering the crucial disciplines of management, I am able to learn the key concepts through lectures, in-class discussions, and group work. In addition, each student has the freedom to choose their own specialism, which allows me to tailor my electives and Management Capstone towards my specific area of interest.

Which has been your favourite module so far and why?

My favourite module so far has been Innovation Management. The curriculum provides insights into questions that we as consumers might ask ourselves, such as ‘why do I have to pay more when I order an Uber around midnight?’ and ‘how does crowdfunding work?’. All these questions and more were dealt with in this module through both a practical and theoretical lens.

What has been the most rewarding part of the programme?

The people I have met in our cohort and made friends with have been the most rewarding part of the programme. Everyone has such a diverse background and each of them is so unique — I am certain that I have met friends for life here with whom I will stay in touch with even across international borders!

What has been the most challenging part of the programme?

Most students will probably agree with me that one of the most challenging aspects has been juggling lectures, coursework, job applications, socialising and other commitments. It is crucial to keep track of deadlines and plan ahead, not only to be efficient, but also for your own mental health! You don’t want to miss out on having dinner with friends or visiting one of the world-class museums here in London because you didn’t manage your time correctly. I can safely say that I have acquired the time management skills to not only deliver the best possible results for work, but also to find a healthy work-life balance that keeps me going every day.

How have you found the multi-mode teaching delivery?

The multi-mode teaching has allowed each student absolute flexibility — everyone can choose where to attend lectures from, depending on their individual circumstances. Thanks to a tight integration of technology both in lecture theatres and online, it feels like you are in the same room with each classmate, no matter whether you are physically in the lecture theatre or tuning in from your bedroom in the US, Asia or anywhere else in the world.

People

How would you describe your cohort at Imperial?

The students of the MSc Management cohort at Imperial have in common that all of them are talented, bright minds. They are incredibly diverse both in their academic/professional backgrounds as well as in their cultural background and thinking styles. Because of this, all teams that I’ve worked with for group work have been super versatile — the differences in our experiences has always contributed to more productive discussions and ultimately, better results.

Did you have a favourite professor/lecturer and why?

My favourite professor is Professor Christopher Tucci who teaches the Innovation Management module — no one can deny his enthusiasm and profound expertise about his subject area! He makes even dry theories come to life with his sparkling personality and his explanations which draw from examples from real-life business cases.

Career

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

In the short-term, I look forward to applying the skills and practical knowledge I have gained at Imperial to business development and strategy roles. In the long-term, I aspire to start my own business in the music industry to support artists to be better at what they are best at!

Have you received any job offers since commencing your programme?

I will be working as a Business Development Intern at COMATCH in their headquarters in Berlin. COMATCH is the leading online marketplace for independent consultants and industry experts, completing projects across 26 countries and serving two-thirds of DAX-30 companies. In my position, I will help to identify new business opportunities, develop the current business and acquire new customers. The career planning and interview preparation sessions provided by Careers have been incredibly helpful in my job search to help me stay on top of things.

London Location

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

London is a city where some of the brightest minds come together. Apart from the people I meet at Imperial, I am also able to connect with people from other universities in London as well as with professionals working here. The vast amount of people with interesting stories to tell in London is amazing!

Tips

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

The MSc Management programme at Imperial College Business School is one of the best in the world. The excellent professors, the tailored curriculum, Careers, the peers you will meet — all contribute to an unforgettable experience that will help you develop both as a future business professional and as an individual.

And if you are thinking about applying, congratulations! You have made one of the first steps to something that will impact you deeply and open up new possibilities! Before you start your application, make sure to conduct thorough research about the programme content in order to know what you can expect out of it. Also, try to see the big picture in how this programme fits into your long-term career aspirations and how it will help you achieve those.