Dev Burman

Experience

Tell us what your greatest academic, professional or personal awards/achievements have been.

I was awarded Silver Medal (also called Dean’s List) for my overall academic performance during my undergraduate studies. I was also awarded a Boeing student scholarship for my contribution during the work-study programme at Boeing in India. I was also selected to represent the Government of India as a youth delegate to China as part of the Bilateral Program. 

Why did you decide to study your Summer School course and why specifically did you choose to study with Imperial College Business School?

There were two reasons to attend Summer School and specifically Imperial College Business School. Firstly, I plan to apply for graduate degrees this year, and the Summer School gave me a first-hand perspective about the programmes and various opportunities at Imperial. Secondly, I found the course structure quite intriguing and was looking forward to seeing what the School has to offer, and without a doubt, I can say that I enjoyed the content.    

Programme

What made your Summer School experience unique and what did you enjoy the most?

There are many things to mention, more notably the classroom discussions, group work, and online social events, to name a few. The overall effort given by the faculty members and organising team is commendable, whether it was course content or social events. Faculty members are very enthusiastic, and they create an all-inclusive environment during the lectures through unique case studies and group projects. The lectures never really appeared as a monologue but more of a discussion between the lecturers and students. The fact that you get a chance to meet different people during and after the coursework diversifies the overall learning experience.

The Summer School experience gave me a wider perspective about various industries and career paths in business analytics and consultancy.           

What was the most challenging part of the courses?

Some of my colleagues told me that Imperial is known for its academic rigour. Well, I guess now I have experienced it as well. Though the overall coursework may require some effort, you will find it manageable after the first week.   

People

Imperial places a large emphasis on group work, what inspires you the most about working in this type of environment?

Three of my biggest takeaways from this experience were, first I learned a lot from the insights shared by my colleagues. Second, it was a good networking opportunity as well, and you get a chance to meet people currently working at consultancy firms and in different industries. And lastly, the experience of working with a cross-cultural team will teach one lot about different people and how to organise work in such a group. And above all, you do make many friends. Even though I attended remotely due to COVID, I am still in regular touch with some of my colleagues from Germany, China, and Greece.

How would you describe your Summer School class?

Exciting, challenging, rewarding and really fun.

Opportunities

What has been the greatest opportunity during your summer at Imperial that you don’t think you would get anywhere else?

There are many aspects of the Summer School that makes it unique. First, the course faculty members present content that is way ahead of the curve. The coursework is filled with various intriguing case studies and business simulation games that showcase the commendable efforts of the faculty members to organise the course. Most of the content is aligned with current trends and upcoming industry trends, for example, how to leverage sustainability to gain competitive advantage, upcoming applications of business analytics, how consultancy firms are leveraging design thinking, and so on. 

The second aspect is the applied nature of the coursework. During the second week of the Business Strategy & Consulting course, we discussed how solutions are presented to clients and various challenges a consultant faces in the process. The course leader filled the second week with lessons on soft skills from actual instances on how consultants manage some of the unmanageable clients and make an impact within the organisation. And then there were guest lectures by alumni and industry experts that make it more fun and insightful at the same time. Additionally, faculty members from both courses showcased some of the work and case studies that have recently happened at various labs and by faculty at Imperial College Business School.

What are your future career goals and how do you think your time at Imperial will help/has helped?

I plan to apply for graduate programmes this year. The overall experience has provided me with better insights into the university and various programmes offered at the Imperial College Business School. Additionally, it has also provided me with a unique perspective about consultancy and business analytics which will surely help my future career goals.  

Tips

What advice would you give someone who was thinking about applying for the Summer School?

First, you don't need to think too much about applying for Summer School. It's worth a shot and you will get a chance to learn a lot from the overall experience. Second, it may seem just a three-week course, but the faculty and various guest lecturers will provide you with lots of insights that will stay with you forever. The overall course structure is quite comprehensive, and be ready to experience academics from the Imperial perspective. But more importantly (and I know you will), enjoy your time at Imperial.  

Share with us a handy hint or trick that made settling into Summer School that much easier! 

There are two ways to look at this one: inside the classroom and outside. For the first, try to participate in the class discussions actively and don’t refrain from asking questions or sharing your insights about the topics during the classes. Again, actively participate in the weekly social events outside the classroom and try to interact with everyone in your cohort during coffee breaks or after classes. Your active participation in social and academic activities will catalyse your overall experience, and as they say, stay calm and enjoy your time at Imperial.