The career support side of things also played a key role. Knowing there were employability events, industry networking, and one-to-one guidance to help students move into jobs gave me some confidence before making the leap.
Choosing Greenwich
Choosing the University of Greenwich was something I had been thinking about for a long time, not just a last-minute decision. While I was doing my undergraduate degree in India, I kept going back to the Greenwich website, just exploring, reading about the courses, trying to picture what it would feel like to study there. The MBA in International Business stood out quickly. It felt practical, not just theoretical, and the idea of doing an MBA in London made it even more appealing.
Before applying, I reached out to a few alumni on LinkedIn. I did not really know what to expect, but the responses were surprisingly open and honest. People spoke about how approachable the faculty were and how supportive the environment felt, and that mattered to me more than anything. I also liked how diverse the university seemed. It did not feel like I would just be another international student trying to fit in. The career support side of things also played a key role. Knowing there were employability events, industry networking, and one-to-one guidance to help students move into jobs gave me some confidence before making the leap.
Life as a student
When I arrived at Greenwich, what stood out immediately was how approachable people were. My tutors did not feel distant or unapproachable. I could ask questions, get feedback, even challenge things a bit without feeling out of place. That made a big difference. I got involved in lectures, group projects, societies, and a lot of networking sessions. Looking back, those experiences did more than just build academic knowledge. They shaped how I communicate and work with people from different backgrounds, which is something I still rely on now.
One unexpected turning point came when I applied to be an Employability Champion at the Business School Employability Office. The role was meant for undergraduate placement students, so I honestly did not think I would get it. During the interview, there was this small moment where a drawing I had made came up in conversation. It was random, but it shifted the tone of the interview completely. That moment led to me getting selected for the role. Over the next eight months, I worked closely with students of the Business faculty, helping them navigate the UK job market, doing one-to-one sessions, just sharing what I was learning along the way. I ended up being nominated for the Student-Led Teaching Awards in 2022, which I had not even imagined at the start. More than anything, that experience gave me confidence and a strong network of people I still stay in touch with.
I also worked on the Gre Consult project, where we developed a social media strategy for the Old Royal Naval College. That was one of the first times I felt like I was doing actual consulting work, not just studying it. It pushed me to think more, manage time properly, and deal with real expectations. It made the whole idea of moving into a professional role feel a lot more real.
Career and professional growth
After graduating, I joined AND London as a Junior Research Consultant, and that is where I have been working since. Over the past two and a half years, I have worked on more than 70 projects across the UK. The work involves a mix of research, analysis, and strategy, often working with developers, local authorities, and community groups. It is quite varied, which keeps it interesting.
One of the more significant things I worked on was a white paper on the CreaTech sector, which was eventually presented to the Mayor of London. That was one of those moments where you pause and think, okay, this is actually meaningful work. The skills I built during my time at Greenwich, especially around research and problem-solving, played a big role in getting me here in the first place. But honestly, it was not just about skills. It was also about persistence, reaching out to people, adjusting applications, dealing with rejection, and just continuing anyway. The support I got from alumni and staff during that phase helped more than I expected.
Social action, reflection, and the future
Alongside my job, I have stayed involved in social impact work. I joined The Diana Award Centre for Social Action as a Co-Designer, where I worked on user research, surveys, and competitor analysis for a platform aimed at young changemakers. Later, I contributed to building the first version of the platform, working on things like safeguarding policies and content strategies. In 2024, I served as a volunteer judge for The Diana Award, reviewing nominations from young people around the world. That experience stayed with me.
When I think back to my time at Greenwich, what stands out most is not just the academic side, but the people. There was one person, Raluca from the Business faculty, who had a strong influence on me. We shared similar values around supporting others, and she consistently went out of her way to help students. At one point, when I was struggling with my internship situation, she helped me find a new opportunity and kept me going when things felt uncertain.
That kind of support changes how you see things. It made me realise how important mentorship and community really are. I think a big part of what I gained from Greenwich came from actually engaging with everything that was available, not just focusing on classes. The projects, the people, the small, unexpected moments, they all added up. And even now, those experiences still shape how I approach my work and what I want to do next.
