Matilde

Why did I choose my programme (and CBS)?
I chose this programme because I want to pursue a career in management or consulting. The programme provides a strong foundation in business strategy, entrepreneurship and innovation management – valuable skills for many business-related jobs. The MIB programme enables me to develop entrepreneurial skills such as opportunity recognition, resource allocation and risk management, and these are essential for success in today's business environment.

What do I like the best?
I like that the MIB programme is designed to be highly practical, focusing on real-world projects, case studies and partnerships. This means that the lectures are more engaging and relevant to my career goals and dreams. Also, I enjoy meeting many international students in class! This gives me the opportunity to learn about other cultures while practicing my English speaking. Last but not least, I like that we master's students also get the opportunity to go on an exchange abroad during the 3rd semester.

How do I experience the difference in academic level between my bachelor and master programme?               
I believe that the academic level is higher in the MIB master’s programme compared to the HA PRO bachelor’s programme. The amount of reading is more significant compared to the bachelor’s, but the field itself is more exciting now because the master’s programme is more specialised and provides in-depth knowledge within the area I’m interested in. It’s also remarkable that your performance is expected to be high - both in class and for the exams during the semesters.

What are the biggest challenges in my programme?
I expected that the biggest challenge for me would be that everything was in English. I knew in advance that there would be many international students, so I was prepared to speak a lot of English. I was most nervous about the oral exams, which take place in English exclusively, but luckily it never became a real concern as I quickly got used to speaking and writing English daily. The most difficult thing about the MIB programme is that it‘s a time-consuming study, which means that I don’t have the opportunity to work as much as before.

What would I have liked to have known before starting my programme?
You will not avoid corporate finance - even with the MIB programme! Honestly, it was not my favourite course in the HA PRO bachelor, so I was happy when I saw that there was only one course about finance in MIB. But hey, once you've gone through corporate finance on your bachelor's degree, luckily, it’s straightforward! Overall, I think it’s essential to consider the various specialisations well in advance so that you can choose the one that best suits your career goals and interests.

What do I want to do after finishing my programme?
After finishing my master’s programme, I would like to start a career in consulting – preferably in strategy, business development or business transformation. I like the idea of helping and advising clients to create value for their stakeholders. On the other hand, I can also imagine working as a project manager in an organisation that works on innovative or development projects. This can include anything from leading a development team to implementing new technology.

If I could give myself a piece of advice, before starting it would be…
It is the last two years - unless you intend to complete a PhD - that you will be studying, so enjoy the flexibility and identity of being a student. I have always been very busy working alongside my studies, but now I believe that our studies equip us to become skilled business people. You will probably get plenty of opportunities to work long hours when you graduate. Your studies should not be completed rashly, but should be enjoyed!