Nikita

Why did I choose my programme (and CBS)?
After studying abroad for my bachelor’s, I was interested in Scandinavian culture within the IT sector and had previously heard about CBS. After doing some research and looking into the course material, I felt the material, such as Internet of Things and AI & ML, was quite relevant in terms of what I would like to dig deeper in, as well as an exciting opportunity to see if I would like to have a career in Denmark. 

What do I like the best?
One of the great things about CBS is that it not only provides insightful academic material and classes for students, but also valuable career perspectives. For instance, professors often invite relevant guest speakers to share their work experiences, and this helped me understand how academic theories can be applied in real-life scenarios. Also, having the opportunity to join the CBS IT Union and arrange workshops and events with outside organisations was a great experience. 

How do I experience the difference in academic level between my bachelor and master programme?
During my first semester, I found that some of the academic topics covered in certain courses were familiar to me, while others were a bit more challenging to me compared to my peers. At first, I felt like I was playing catch-up, but over time I began to understand the academic lingo and topics more and more in each class session. Eventually, I was able to grasp these concepts more fully and felt more comfortable with the coursework as semesters went by.

What are the biggest challenges in my programme?
Many courses in this programme require group projects, which could be challenging into working effectively in terms of different work schedules, expectations and ideas that could lead to underwhelming results if not communicating properly. As previously mentioned, some of the course material was challenging for me at first and learning a new coding language in Big Data Management and AI & ML became an obstacle that I had to overcome. 

What would I have liked to have known before starting my programme?
Looking back on my experience in the programme, I realize that I would have benefited from more information about the internship opportunities available in the third semester. It would have been quite insightful to know more about the academic culture in Denmark to compare to my previous learning experiences and to understand the overall exam structure at CBS and to then sum up my own expectations.

What do I want to do after finishing my programme?
Once I complete my studies, my goal is to stay in Copenhagen and find a full-time IT position that aligns with my interests, skills and the specialisation that I would like to build upon. Specifically, I'm hoping to specialise in one of three areas: renewable energies, offshore IT or technology consulting. My aim is to find a role that allows me to grow professionally while contributing to a more innovative and tech-driven future. Also, play lots of padel. 

If I could give myself a piece of advice, before starting it would be…
During my studies, I've learned that having a structured approach to consuming course content is essential to getting the most out of the material. By creating good note-taking habits and breaking down the material into manageable chunks, I've been able to better understand and retain the information I'm learning. Additionally, I've come to appreciate the importance of taking advantage of every career opportunity that comes my way. Another lesson I've learned is to not be self-conscious about sharing my ideas in class discussions.