Tomasz

Why did I choose my programme (and CBS)?
When researching different universities and programmes, I was drawn to CBS because of its reputation for academic excellence and its strong emphasis on practical learning. As someone who values hands-on experience and real-world application, I knew that CBS was the right fit for me. Many of my fellow students, including myself, are working for companies in different industries while studying Sales Management, achieving synergy between academia and corporate experience. It is only possible due to the Scandinavian corporate culture and CBS' recognition.

What do I like the best?
I like that the programme is very practical, and I often use knowledge from the courses during my everyday tasks as Global Business Development Manager. I think it’s great that you can use the knowledge from the programme in real-life situation. Another thing is that the Sales Management programmee is constantly on the positive list, which is a list of professions that experience a shortage of qualified professionals.

How do I experience the difference in academic level between my bachelor and master programme?
Master’s programmes at CBS are more advanced and specialised than bachelor's programmes. As master’s students, we are expected to have a deeper understanding of the subject matter, and assignments are often more challenging and require more independent thinking with research. We are required to understand existing research and theory and sometimes develop new ones. However, by pursuing my bachelor’s degree at CBS, it gave me a strong foundation and by pursuing master’s I could further enrich my knowledge and specialise more in the particular field.

What are the biggest challenges in my programme?  
Some common challenges that students face in any study programme may include:

Group work: Sales Management requires you to work on group assignments or projects, which can be challenging if you have to work with people you don't know well or who have different work styles. However group exams prepare you for corporate life as, teamwork is a very important ability necessary to succeed. 

Time management: Balancing the workload of different courses and assignments can be challenging, especially when deadlines start piling up.

What would I have liked to have known before starting my programme?
Before starting my programme at Copenhagen Business School, I wish I had known more about the workload and group exams.  The programme is intense and demands a lot of time and effort from the students and during a group exam, discipline and time management. It would have been helpful to get to know fellow students and establish connections and study groups earlier. This would help establish good study habits to keep up with the workload.

What do I want to do after finishing my programme?
I have already been working in my field of study while pursuing my programme therefore it has already been decided that I will continue my career path with my current company in Copenhagen and work on getting promoted to senior positions upon graduation. My long-term dream is to become a successful entrepreneur. Leading my own business to an initial public offering (IPO) has always been a dream of mine, and I am eager to use my experience and expertise to establish a company that will make a positive impact on society in the life science industry.

If I could give myself a piece of advice, before starting it would be…
It would be to stay open-minded and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. University is a time to explore new things and challenge yourself, so take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Don't be afraid to try new subjects, and definitely check opportunities for extracurricular activities and student organisations. CBS offers a wide range of activities and clubs that students can participate in, and I think it would have been beneficial to get involved in some of these activities earlier in my programme.