My alumni story: talking business, marketing, and playing basketball at NTU
Since graduating in 2021, NTU alum Sean Balagot has wasted no time building a successful career.
By John Anderson | Published on 12 July 2024
Categories: Alumni; Nottingham Business School;
In terms of study, first came a BA (Hons) in Business Management & Marketing, followed by an MSc in Marketing and Brand Management.
Now working as a marketing executive for a multinational holding company, Sean wanted to check back in and say hello. We were happy to oblige – and sent across some questions.
Q: Have you always lived in the UK, or did you come to NTU to study?
A: I grew up in the UK after moving here from the Philippines when I was three years old. I lived in Hertfordshire before spending four memorable years in the beautiful city of Nottingham. It will always be like a third home.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your time at NTU?
A: The opportunity to work, collaborate, and network with so many talented and intelligent coursemates. Learning inside the Newton building never failed to be inspiring.
Q: What made you decide to stay on for the MSc?
A: I really enjoyed the atmosphere within Nottingham Business School and wanted to learn more about branding and marketing. It’s given me a real career advantage.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to work in marketing, and was the industry different from how you thought it would be?
A: I knew from an early age. Marketing is so fun, and it’s so different. There’s a planning element, design and creative thinking periods, plus other things like studying psychology, as we look into the customer experience.
Sean playing basketball on campus
Q: How quickly did you find your first job after finishing your studies?
A: After my graduation ceremony in 2021, I got a job as a digital marketing assistant just a few months later. I’m now a marketing executive in the insurance sector, so it’s been a fun journey.
My time at NTU was great because I developed the skill of building relationships. From classmates, lecturers, seminar teachers, and playing for the NTU Men’s BUCS Basketball team. Interacting with so many people and knowing how to create value is important in the working world.
Q: Tell us about your love of basketball!
A: I played basketball for many years before coming to NTU. Sport is a great way to practice skills that translate into work and life. It teaches you about teamwork, discipline, competitiveness, tactics, reacting, and being adaptable.
Q: Have you stayed connected with anyone from your NTU days?
A: Working in London means I occasionally bump into fellow alumni. I speak to plenty of my former basketball teammates, and a few good friends made at NBS. It’s funny to think just a few years ago, we were staying up late in the Boots library, and now we’re seeing each other after work and catching up.
Proud to be NTU
There's no better time to connect with the NTU alumni community. With more than a quarter of a million members, it reaches around the world and into every industry you can imagine. Whether you’re looking to find old friends, give something back, or want to take advantage of our range of alumni benefits, we’re still here for you.