Anna

Why did I choose my programme (and CBS)?
I chose to study SOL as it seemed like a programme that was able to offer great insight into the areas of strategy, organization and leadership. These were areas that I was focusing on and could see myself applying in my current and future work life, and therefore I thought it would give me an advantage to learn about the theoretical and academic stances of the areas.

I chose CBS, as I had done my bachelor's here and preferred to continue with my master’s

What do I like the best?
What I like most about SOL is the variety of courses that use a lot of empirical cases to support the literature. The programme requires students to take on a lot of responsibility in regards to conducting an empirical exam case and using the theory that is being taught during the lectures. In this way, as a student, you gain a toolbox for thinking independently and "solving" real-life case struggles by using theory. 

Another thing I very much like about the programme is the social activities that are planned by the students.

How do I experience the difference in academic level between my bachelor and master programme?
As a student in the master’s, you must be prepared for a lot of reading, especially for the SOL programme. There is going to be a lot of literature before each lecture (books, articles, cases etc.). The teaching at SOL is also very interactive, which means that you don’t show up for lectures and solely listen. The professors very much expect that as a student you participate in class discussions. In this way, you may expect more preparation before class than previously experienced in the bachelor programme.

What are the biggest challenges in my study programme?
The biggest challenge in the SOL programme has been to collaborate in groups of five people to write a case exam project within the first two months of starting the programme. You must expect a lot of group work for the SOL programme, which may be a challenge to coordinate as most people have student jobs or spend time preparing for the lectures next to having to collaborate with students with all different academic and cultural backgrounds.

What would I have liked to have known before starting my programme?
Before starting this programme, I would have liked to know how many of the exams are in groups. This is where I believe that SOL really differentiates from many other programs, as you must be prepared to work and collaborate in groups of four-five people from different academic and cultural backgrounds for many of the exams. 

Another thing is how international of a programme SOL is – you can expect a lot of people from different countries around the world.

What do I want to do after finishing my programme?
After I graduate from my programme, I could see myself pursuing a career in management consulting. Based on the courses, the ways of working in the SOL programme and my current student job, I believe SOL prepares students well for what to expect and how to solve complex tasks in a real-life environment. I would like to travel and get to work in other cultures, in that way it is nice to hear first-hand experiences from some of my fellow students.

If I could give myself a piece of advice, before starting it would be…
If I could give myself a piece of advice before starting the SOL programme it would be to practise reading academic texts... After finishing the bachelor programme, you may think you are used to it, but I will say with the amount of readings before each lecture at the SOL programme, I had to find a new technique for reading and taking notes in order to get through all the readings. There are several ways, but I believe it is helpful to consider before starting the master’s programme.