7 Ways You’ll Benefit from Graduating with a Master’s in International Management

Sponsored by Imperial College Business School

Thanks to our increasingly interconnected society, the need for outstanding international management and business skills has never been so important.

The next generation of international managers will need to better their understanding of global markets and business climates, while taking into consideration the importance of ethical and cultural issues that are embedded in the practices of international management and business.

But how can a master’s in international management help you do that and more? We spoke with Austin Allaire, an MSc International Management student, and Jolande Bot-Vos, Academic Director of the program at Imperial College Business School to find out.

Exciting employability opportunities at your fingertips

A master’s in international management can prepare you for a career at home and abroad across all sectors, including business, international agencies, and government. Typical career paths include consultancy, international accounting and finance, as well as marketing.

In some instances, the opportunity to breakaway and begin your own entrepreneurial venture is also a viable possibility.

As part of the MSc in International Management at Imperial, students are offered one-to-one support from the Careers services “that supports them in defining their own career goals and equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the future,” says Bot-Vos.

If you study in London, you’ll study in a city that’s renowned as a global powerhouse

Studying in a city that’s recognized worldwide as being home to one of the most iconic business hubs means you won’t have to look far to see the benefits of an international outlook.

Having also been recognized as the best student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2019, many highly reputable institutions have campuses located in the heart of London, with Imperial College Business School being one of them.

Those who study here will have the advantage of studying in a city where you’ll deepen your understanding of diverse cultures as you meet new people and take on unrivalled work and academic opportunities.

Gain international consulting experience before you even graduate

In today’s competitive work climate, your degree qualification needs to demonstrate more than just your understanding of a particular subject. An increasing number of employers and businesses are seeking graduates who have industry experience as well as industry knowledge, so it’s important to know whether your degree will help you achieve that.

The year-long ‘Leadership in Action’ module is an integral part of the MSc in International Management at Imperial, where students are “coached and mentored throughout the project by faculty, in order to learn international management skills in a fully immersive and practical way,” explains Professor Bot-Vos.

You’ll develop a product or service and take it to Brazil or India to see how business can be affected both socioeconomically and culturally. It’s also where you’ll develop your leadership potential as you learn to work effectively as an individual and within a team.

Broaden your international outlook and develop your global credentials

Studying international management can help you become more engaged in global business and management practices around the world.

From his experience on the MSc International Management program so far, Austin has been impressed by Imperial’s emphasis on ensuring students engage with global experiences inside and outside the classroom, saying: “The program offers incredible opportunities to build an international network, including an international consulting project in the Leadership in Action module to either Brazil or India and a business immersion trip to continental Europe.”

To get a genuine understanding of international management practice, the MSc in International Management at Imperial offers international elective opportunities, as well as international study trips such as exchanges.

The optional Global Immersion Week electives, for example, “provides students with the opportunity to experience first-hand the social and cultural dynamics of working in another country.

“The week-long trip will consist of visits to local companies operating across a range of industry sectors, as well as social and cultural activities,” explains Bot-Vos.

Build up your portfolio of business skills and industry knowledge

Management is essentially focused on the organization and control of people, resources, materials and strategies within a business, but it’s also important to recognize the need of understanding key business disciplines within an international context.

“Today’s business environment is truly global and a great workplace for people with a thorough understanding of international business dynamics and strong intercultural and interpersonal skills,” says Bot-Vos.

Appreciating the need for individual learning and career needs, the MSc in International Management has limited core modules so students can tailor the degree to suit them and choose from a wide range of electives, instead.

Discover your area of expertise

Although international management touches upon key areas of business such as marketing, finance, economics and entrepreneurship, there is also an increasing need for those who work in international management to possess a robust knowledge of technology, innovation and analytics.

The MSc in International Management at Imperial College Business School has a “greater emphasis on technology and analytics, with digital innovation embedded throughout the program including core modules in Decision Analytics and Innovation and Technology Strategy,” explains Bot-Vos.

“Innovation and Design Thinking gives students the tools and techniques to innovate and take an initial idea and transform it into something that can be developed into a marketable product or service,” she adds.

Regardless of industry and sector, having a robust understanding of technologies and the impact it can have on the world is essential.

“I’m excited to gain a deeper understanding of how to implement strategy, analytics, and innovation in a global context,” says Austin.

Watch your network of contacts boom

Business school is the ideal place to meet new people and build your business network. From your class colleagues to professors, it’s important to recognize the importance of building professional relationships and making valuable connections with them.

“By studying the MSc International Management at Imperial, I’ve already gained an amazing network of colleagues that spans the globe […] students are part of a community of scholars from all over the world,” says Austin.

Lead image credit: Imperial College Business School