For Paniz, pursuing an MA in Strategic Marketing at Greenwich Business School was a journey of self-discovery and professional growth. Throughout her time at the university, she found multiple moments that reassured her she was on the right path.
“Every time that I had the chance to connect theory to practice, I was feeling immensely confident that studying marketing was something I meant to do!” she shares. However, one particular moment stood out.
She recalls her very first assignment in the Strategic Marketing Management module, where she was tasked with developing a comprehensive strategic plan for a business. “It was quite challenging and also interesting for me to build a strategy from the ground up, applying different frameworks and defining feasible goals” she explains. This hands-on experience gave her a newfound confidence in her ability to apply marketing theories in a real-world context.
Another defining moment in her MA journey came during her second semester when she worked on a real-life digital marketing project. “That massive project took me almost two months, but it was incredibly rewarding to see how my studies had sharpened my marketing skills” she reflects. Through this, she gained practical insights into campaign development, strategic planning, and execution, reinforcing her passion for marketing.
Work experience and ViewPoints
Beyond the classroom, Paniz had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working in the university’s marketing department and contributing to ViewPoints - MA Marketing Suite, a student-led LinkedIn initiative.
“I was incredibly fortunate to work in the university’s marketing department while pursuing my master’s. This allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time in multiple projects, from benchmarking to content development” she explains. This experience not only solidified her marketing knowledge but also provided valuable exposure to industry professionals, broadening her perspective on strategic marketing.
Her involvement in ViewPoints was another highlight of her MA experience. “Being part of ViewPoints, a student-led LinkedIn channel, was an interesting experience. I had the chance to collaborate with some of the most talented classmates, enhance my content creation skills, and find out more about digital engagement.” This initiative also helped her build strong professional connections within her cohort, proving that collaboration and networking are just as important as academic learning.
Friendships and collaboration
While academic and professional experiences played a significant role in Paniz’s journey, the friendships she built at Greenwich were equally transformative.
“Building meaningful friendships was one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Greenwich. I found some of my best friends in London by sitting beside them in the very first days of my master’s” she shares. These friendships were strengthened through collaborative projects, shared challenges, and countless hours spent working towards common goals.
“Collaborating on group projects and navigating challenges in tutorials created a strong sense of togetherness. These relationships pushed me to embrace different views and helped me feel more supported during stressful projects” she adds. Looking back, she realises that these friendships were just as impactful as the knowledge she gained, turning her university experience into something truly special.
A dissertation with real-world impact
One of Paniz’s most significant achievements during her MA was earning one of the highest dissertation grades in her cohort. Her research, titled "Investigating users' evaluation of personalised advertising on Instagram: An analysis of consumers' perceptions toward advertising" explored consumer behaviour in digital marketing.
“This topic stemmed from my deep interest in consumer behaviour and personalisation in marketing, especially social media marketing” she explains. Through her research, she examined how users respond to different types of personalised ads, the factors influencing their engagement, and the role of relevance, intrusiveness, and privacy in shaping consumer interactions with digital advertising.
Her findings underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making, audience segmentation, and user-centric strategies. “In my opinion, these factors’ influence extends beyond social media and are essential in all areas of digital marketing” she notes. Moving forward, she aims to apply these insights to craft more effective marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences in a meaningful way.
Advice for future marketing students
“If I had one piece of advice for someone studying Marketing at Greenwich Business School, it would be to fully immerse yourself in the experience - the time flies by” she advises.
She emphasises the importance of building friendships, engaging in extracurricular activities, and learning from others’ perspectives. “Also, challenge yourself in assignments and apply theory to practice whenever possible” she adds. Above all, she encourages students to enjoy the journey, as it is an experience that will shape both their professional and personal growth.
Through a combination of academic excellence, hands-on experience, and strong professional relationships, Paniz’s MA journey at Greenwich Business School was one of immense learning and discovery.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that the availability of modules (and opportunities offered to, and services for, students) can change over time and things may not be available from one year to the next. In the case of modules, please always check the 'What will you study' section of the course webpage for the course and entry year you are interested in. You can find an index of all our subject areas, within which you will find the individual course pages, at: https://www.gre.ac.uk/subjects
