International Management – Sheffield University Management School Postgraduate Blog

My postgraduate experience so far

Hi everyone! My name is Mimi, and I study MSc International Management. Before I became a student in September, I had been in a full-time job for years after graduating from my undergraduate. The decision to come back to higher education was not a decision I had taken lightly. It involved many personal sacrifices, including leaving my full-time job and moving to a different city. I was anxious about whether I would be the only one in my course not studying their Master’s degree straight after an undergraduate. Thankfully, I quickly realised that I was not the only one and that there were plenty of students in the same position as me across the University.

Before I started my course, I did not know what to expect from studying at The University of Sheffield. I was unable to attend any of the postgraduate open days, so instead researched my course and the Management School through the website, reading about the modules on offer and the School’s excellent reputation. The course sounded interesting to me, and the idea that by studying my Master’s I could get one step closer to my dream career was exciting, so I made the decision to apply.

My first few weeks at university were spent getting my head around being a student again and finding my way around the city and the campus. I was amazed by the facilities that the University of Sheffield offered. In my second week, I learnt about the Corporate Information and Computing Services department (CiCS) who, as well as helping with any IT issues you may have, can loan out high-tech cameras and provide facilities such as recording booths, editing suites and a TV studio! All of this came in handy when we were asked to film a video about a current ethical issue, as part of a marketing module on my course. I was able to use the facilities offered by CiCS first hand, which was something I really enjoyed. I was a little nervous, as I do not have a background in making or editing film, but I felt it was a good learning experience and an opportunity to gain basic skills in this area.

Another thing that I learnt was that the Students’ Union had been ranked as the best Students’ Union in the UK for the past ten years, and I now know why! As well as the cinema, food and shops on offer, there are countless opportunities to get involved, with “Give it Go” and volunteering activities. I recently volunteered at the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust Christmas Fayre. It is something I have never done before, but I thought that this would be a fantastic opportunity to spend some time with local people in Sheffield by helping the local education charity raise funds. I also had the chance to buy some Christmas gifts!

I spent the day volunteering in the craft room where I made ‘reindeer hats’ with the children. I was also able to spend some time seeing the animals, which I loved. Opportunities like this allow you to contribute to the local community and build your skill set and make friends with people from the city. I highly recommend that you get involved with such activities. After all, the university is not just about gaining academic knowledge but also about the experiences you gain.

Moving to a new country – what I did and what you can do better!

By Nia Starr, MSc International Management and Marketing

Last September I packed up my bags, said goodbye to my family and friends, and made a move across the pond (from America to England). I’ve never really been a homebody and had lived abroad before, so I wasn’t particularly afraid to be starting a new life in a new country. I was quite excited actually, for the new classes I would take, the new adventures I would have, and the new friends I would make. In my head, I thought I would arrive to a house full of people and instantly make connections with my housemates that would jump-start my adventurous journey in Sheffield. Life throws you curve-balls sometimes, and that was not the case.

As it turns out, my first week was spent solo, as only one of my housemates had moved in and school did not start for another few weeks. I spent most of that time aimlessly wandering around the Sheffield, getting to know the city and buying things for my new room. After about a week and a half, I signed up for a few Give-It-A-Go activities. This was really the turning point of my time here. I signed up for a Zumba class, which ultimately got cancelled, but while I was waiting for the class to start, I made a friend. She was also waiting for the class, and she wound up becoming one of my closest friends here.

Tip 1: Delve right in! Because I waited nearly two weeks to start getting active and involved, I missed out on the opportunity to have made more friends. Friends who would have made shopping for new room decorating things, that much more fun and who would have been great to explore a new city with.

Not long after school started, that friend that I mentioned earlier convinced me to try out for the university futsal team (indoor soccer). I had played soccer for a large part of my life, but had never played indoor soccer before. I was really reluctant but agreed to try out with her. We both made the team. Joining the futsal team has really been one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have had since moving here. It is something I look forward to every week, not only because I love the sport, but also because I was able to forge great friendships with my teammates. Joining the team also allowed me to travel and see different parts of England that I might otherwise never would have ventured to.

Tip 2: Try something new! Don’t be afraid to join a new club because you are afraid you will fail. The sooner you do it, the sooner you will find out if you enjoy the activity or if you don’t. This is also a great way to gain a new hobby that could be instrumental in making your life the best it can be here.

My first semester here, I had so much excess time on my hands! With that time, I really didn’t do anything productive or anything that would greatly enhance my life. Second semester, I started applying myself a lot more. I got a job, an internship, and applied for a company based project. I applied for these things and managed to successfully attain a position for all of them, which gave me more confidence to apply for other things that I wanted.

Tip 3: Don’t waste your time here! Take advantage of all the excess time and fill it. Join a gym (which I didn’t do until the end of the first semester, and regretted it), go out with friends, and apply for those things that will enhance your future. If I had applied myself and been more productive during first semester, there is definitely a guarantee that I could be further along in every aspect of my life here in Sheffield, right now. Opportunity awaits, don’t let it pass you by!

My favourite Semester 1 module

nadia Hi all! I’m Nadia, a postgraduate student studying MSc International Management. I get asked a lot about what my course involves, especially from my friends in Malaysia, because it sounds really broad. Well, I am learning about management on a global scale, to gain a critical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing both multinationals and SMEs in a rapidly evolving and dynamic global economy.

What first attracted me to the course were the modules listed on the university’s website prior to my application. I saw the words ‘Economics’, ‘Marketing’ and ‘Business Strategy’, and I was sold! My previous undergraduate studies in Analytical Economics mainly involved research and mathematical subjects, so I was thrilled to learn something different. I have always wanted to learn business skills and real-world solutions which I can apply later on within the workplace, from internationally-known experts in their respective fields. In my course, I am also exposed to case studies and lots of group work to develop intercultural collaboration with my course mates.

In my first semester of MSc International Management, my favourite module was Marketing. I fell in love with learning about core marketing concepts such as marketing mix, consumer behaviour, ethical issues and pricing strategies by companies. I particularly loved how the module organiser, Dr Nicki, approached the subject, as it was a very interactive module. At the end of the semester, there was a group film submission on ethical issues in marketing.

My group mates and I (who had never before had any experience in directing, filming, video-editing or script-writing) had the opportunity to write and produce a short film from scratch! We decided to create a film on behavioural advertising and privacy concerns. To put it simply, behavioural advertising is a practice carried out by companies to deliver adverts to web users which reflect their interests and preferences, based on their web-browsing behaviour information. We wanted to increase the public awareness on the latest EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will be enforced across the EU from 25 May 2018 and will address some major privacy concerns online.

Before we began filming, the University of Sheffield CiCS Creative Media nadia-camera team was more than helpful in explaining the function of each piece of equipment before they loaned them to us. We turned our storyboard into reality by starting off our film with a fictional piece depicting the breach of online privacy, which was then followed by a quick talk show on behavioural advertising.

I wish I didn’t have to return any of the camera or lighting – I felt so attached to them! Although sometimes it did make me feel a little short…

nadia-awards Another great aspect was that the module team held an awards ceremony, giving out awards for various categories such as best on-screen talent, best sound effect and best film overall. Kudos to Nicki and Jesse, who made our learning experience a very rewarding one! Overall, they were impressed with the quality of the videos produced by the students. And my group did not go back empty-handed, of course! *clears throat*

Steve Jobs said “the only way to do great work is to love what you do”. I definitely think this has proved his point!

Making the most of student life!

unnamed By Nadia Zulhasni, MSc International Management

I have had various setbacks in life, but one thing did not change for sure: My determination to further my studies in the UK. Many years on and here I am typing this 6,553 miles away from my comfort zone called home.

So far, the grass IS greener at this other side of the world… and for that, I am grateful for having the privilege to be here. I also promised myself to grab every opportunity I can while I’m here, aside from studying.

After all, life’s about seizing opportunities – so yes, carpe diem!

In Sheffield, there never seems to be a dull day. Whenever I want to fill up my free time, I head to the university’s website, click here and there; the next thing I know, I find myself somewhere in the university listening to talks, or joining some random event.

One of the first few events I attended was during World Week 2017. I can vividly remember one of the discussions called ‘Breaking Boundaries’ where three speakers of diverse backgrounds spoke about their experiences and how they attempt to break the social stigma around them. Very eye opening; a tear or two dropped. The discussion reiterates that we have the power to make a difference to turn this world into a better place through education.

These kind of talks are different than the ones I attended back home. There is a bigger exposure on sensitive issues and nothing is taboo.

unnamed-3 Next, I got in touch with my inner Malay to join the cultural Malaysia Day in the Students’ Union building. I even dressed up in my traditional costume called kurung batik! And I obviously had to drag two of my friends from Hong Kong and China to join! Don’t they look great in the Malays’ traditional outfits?

In between classes and assignment deadlines, there are many study support skills, networking opportunities and career talks organised by the university’s Employability Hub in Management School. Here’s my picture with Mr. Barry Senior from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a professional network for HR management professionals. He gave insights on ho unnamed-2 w a career pathway in HR can provide us with a lifetime of opportunities, challenges and job satisfaction when exposed to different people from different industries.

When I say opportunities… I really mean there are countless here!

The photo at the top is a picture of me attending the grand opening of iForge, a makerspace area for students run by students! I got to learn and witness how they use the high precision laser cutter, 3D printers, and working tools among many other cool stuff I never imagined of using in my entire life!

I’ve also had the opportunity to join ‘This Girl Can’ week! A week filled with sports and fun activities exclusively for female students, which are mostly free to join such as baseball, tennis, skate, self-defence and cricket. All in all, it was great fun while increasing our confidence to engage in sports!

unnamed-1 Well, this girl definitely can! And this girl will never run out of things to do in the University of Sheffield where opportunities are limitless — it just depends on how we make the most out of our time here as students.