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
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…
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!