Cynthia Wang

About you

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

For the last two years, I was a Princeton in Asia Fellow at the Beijing office of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a US-based climate NGO. I primarily conducted research and supported projects on sustainable cities and urban planning. I have also worked at various local non-profits and research institutions in capacities ranging from policy research to fundraising and development. 

Why did you decide to study MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance at Imperial College Business School?

As more data and information is being released daily about the climate, it has become very important to have the comprehensive analysis skills to understand these rapid changes. I identified weaknesses in my quantitative skills and wanted to find a programme with an applied focus. From my research at the time, MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance seemed to be one of the only programmes in this field to emphasise practise. In addition to being in London, a green finance capital, and being at the forefront of science and tech research, Imperial College Business School was immediately at the top of my list.

Did you receive a scholarship?

I received the Imperial Business Scholarship. It was very helpful as I was coming out of an NGO job and it helped provide more financial stability during a rather tumultuous and uncertain year. I spent many months applying to various scholarships, so receiving this one was a welcome surprise. To future students, just check that box! Imperial has made it very easy to make yourself eligible for some of their scholarships. 

Programme

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

I have really enjoyed getting to know my cohort. Everyone is enthusiastic, passionate, and interested in both our curriculum and in our changing world as a whole. It is an incredibly open and collaborative environment to be in; everyone is very supportive of each other.

What has been the most rewarding part of the programme?

Group projects. Being able to turn in an output resulting from weeks of hard work and time is very rewarding. The process itself is gruelling, but you learn a lot about yourself as a team player. With a team supporting you, it’s also a chance to embrace your weaknesses and exercise your strengths. The relationships you form too with your team are very satisfying and will take you far.

What has been the most challenging part of the programme? 

Also group projects! Coordinating times and delegating tasks between people is difficult, especially alongside balancing other coursework. But as mentioned before, the final result is also rewarding.

Opportunities

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

Getting to meet so many people from different walks of life, each with different perspectives and ideas on how to best combat the climate problem. Having the opportunity to draw upon this vast knowledge resource given to us by Imperial and our peers to collaborate on global issues.

How have you benefited from the Business School’s connection to the Imperial College London community, and the programme’s connection to the Grantham Institute?

MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance is a great programme because we are so innately connected to the Grantham Institute. In both classes and our speaker series every Thursday, we hear from experts with connections to the Grantham Institute. These include academic researchers and practitioners, which makes for very well-rounded exposure to climate issues as well as an extensive network for further career explorations.

"These include academic researchers and practitioners, which makes for very well-rounded exposure to climate issues as well as an extensive network for further career explorations."

Career

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

I originally thought that I’d like to combine my interests in non-profits/NGOs and policy with climate finance and work for a large philanthropic organisation to support nascent advocacy for critical climate justice movements. Since being at Imperial though, I’ve realised the plethora of careers and opportunities that exist and will continue to develop in this growing field, so it’s expanded my perspective quite a bit, particularly regarding private sector careers. So much so that I’m not quite sure what I want to do now, but am excited for any opportunity that may arise.

Tips

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

Do your due diligence and reach out to current students and alumni. Think about what you want to gain from a year of graduate studies. The MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance is very practise-oriented. You’ll be learning about the latest developments in a rapidly-changing field while building basic skills to enter this working environment. You’ll come across a wide range of people on the programme; some with thorough sustainability backgrounds, some who have no sustainability experience but extensive finance backgrounds, others from separate disciplines altogether.

If you’re looking for a deep dive into a specific climate topic, I wouldn’t recommend this programme. But if you’re looking for broad exposure and for the opportunity to meet, collaborate with, and learn from others across discipline, and value getting practice over simply theory, you should consider MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance at Imperial.