I decided to study the MSc in Management at Cass because of its practical focus, prestige and international standing. I tried to take a very proactive role at Cass and ran as one of the class representatives of the MSc in Management cohort.

Thanks  to this role, I built relationships with almost all my peers and tried to find ways to improve our experience at Cass. Before joining Cass, my career goals were to secure a full time job in London. My initial areas of interest were management consulting and FMCG, but most importantly finding a job that was dynamic, where I could always learn, with fast career progression and strong values.

On a professional level, I attended seven one-to-one appointments with career coaches, which helped my career and recruitment preparation. I also attended five professional development workshops with various focuses, from CVs and covering letters to preparing for assessment centres and behavioural questions.

These seminars were vital for my application process, especially the two employer presentations – both had line-ups of great guests, like current employees and HR reps, who gave me  practical advice about the recruitment processes of their particular companies. I also attended many of the events hosted by the Cass Consultancy Society, such as seminars and panel sessions with top experts in consulting firms an opportunity to network with many employees.

A key piece of advice I have regarding the recruitment process is to start early (around September/October) and be well-informed. I am an international student and, for this reason, finding a job was more challenging for me as I need sponsorship to work in the UK.

After applying for many jobs and doing several interviews, I also realised the importance of networking and of forging professional relationships. A referral from an existing employee significantly adds to  your application. It is very important to practise as much as possible, to be comfortable with yourself and to be able to play to your strengths.

Overall, my experience at Cass was very enriching. I had the unique opportunity to meet people of various nationalities which allowed me to understand cultural dynamics and diverse approaches to doing business. I also enjoyed very much working with my study group as we all come from different backgrounds and brought new perspectives, making our work more comprehensive.

Another thing I liked about my studies was its practical implementation, like for instance the consulting and strategy seminar working with Bain that simulated a real-life business scenario.

And then, on a personal level, the trip to Florence was incredible as we explored one of Italy’s most iconic cities as a cohort, which made many nice memories. It was very nice to get to know my peers more in detail and in a different setting. This trip definitely created stronger bonds between us.  I really look forward to our reunion at the graduation ceremony so we may celebrate our achievements together.

After my master’s at Cass, I am joining Gerson Lehrman Group in their London office as a client solutions analyst in their two-year graduate programme. I am really looking forward to joining GLG as it is the world’s largest membership network for one-on-one professional learning.

Valentina Delgado Buitron, MSc Management (2019)