Miranda

Why did I choose my programme (and CBS)?
I choose this program because it links theory with practice. I really like how each semester builds on the previous and the classes we have interlink also during the semesters. Everything we learn is used in discussions or through exercises. We get to test the theories, methods, and approaches we read about. We get to try, fail, and succeed, each aspect promotes my understanding of how they are applied in the real corporate world.

 What do I like the best?
There is no hierarchy between the students. We are all here to learn. Everyone brings something different with them from their bachelor degrees, job experiences, languages they speak, and cultures. Everyone is open to other opinions and experiences, and that really shows during the class discussions. I was not expecting the course to be as socially inclined as it is. So, I have overall been very positively surprised with everything about the programme thus far.

How do I experience the difference in academic level between my bachelor and master programme?
My bachelor degree was very theoretical and detail oriented, with a lot of academic readings of plausible scenarios, which to some extent came rather easy to me. This programme has pushed me out of my comfort zone in that it has made me rethink my habitual approaches to problem-solving. Getting to practice what is being read and preached, even though the academic level is quite high, the stucture of the lectures and the studio classes makes me understand the complexity of the material through experience.

What are the biggest challenges in my study programme?
In one of my two first classes we were told to work on our projects in groups, and each week we were told to discard our progress and think of our project from a new angle. At first this was very frustrating, because we had to create a product by the end of the course. However, when writing the exam, I had a more profound understanding of the different methods that I then had to evaluate, both from a theoretically point of view and from my own experience with using them.

What would I have liked to have known before starting my programme?
The exams are structured in a vastly different way than I was used to from my previous institution of study. Had I known that I would have prepared differently for, especially, the sit-in exams. Specifically, I would have created notes with key quotations that could be used during the exam. The quarter structure makes each course extremely compact and intense - So missing one class means you miss out on a lot of important information on the topics.

What do I want to do after finishing my programme?
I would love to work in quality assurance of the value chain within or related to the field of construction. As I am keen on systems and operational strategies, my passion for optimizing the use of resources pairs well with the tools and knowledge I am gaining by being in this programme. One of the reasons why I chose this programme was to get a more in-depth understanding and experience with the different nuances of the operational processes of innovation and how that plays with the different segments of the value chain and as a whole.

If I could give myself a piece of advice, before starting it would be…
I would give myself the advice to be less worried with rules and regulations, and not to be hesitant when given a strange exercise in class. I have come to realize that those are a regular part of the course, and it keeps me on my toes regarding the materials. Ask as many questions as you can. The professors know that the topics are complex and there is no shame in asking in class or emailing them when you get home or while you are studying. - They are all more than excited to enlighten you with their knowledge.