Desmond
Onyejekwe

Current job role: Business Analyst
Company name: ITEX Integrated Systems
Graduated: 2017

What route did you take into postgraduate study?
I completed my BA International Relations at the NTU. My experience during my bachelor’s degree was fantastic and therefore I planned to pursue Masters study at Nottingham Business School (NBS).

When choosing a Masters degree, what did you consider it important to have?
For me it was vital to have recognised AACSB accreditation and a diverse environment. Both of which were offered by NBS.

What were your reasons for studying a Masters degree and why did you choose Nottingham Business School?
Having more than a Bachelors degree is highly noticed by employers when applying for jobs. I chose NBS because the core business modules were directly linked to my goals. The multicultural environment helped me network with people from different countries around the world.

Why did you choose to study MSc Management and Innovation and Enterprise?
I always dreamt of being an entrepreneur and having my own consultancy firm with the vision and objective of making a positive impact on Nigerian businesses. The MSc Management and Innovation and Enterprise helped me achieve greater insights to the factors required to make my plan a reality.

I enjoyed the consultancy opportunities in the degree where we were given the opportunity to observe an SME in Greece and to research and analyse its possibilities of growing into the UK market. Being an entrepreneur, I wasn’t fixed on their target and chose to look at various markets and their possible modes of entry. This gave me a practical sense of what I would be doing at an operational or management consultancy firm. It was like a dress rehearsal for my future company.

Describe what your seminars were like?
All my classes were practical with seminars instead of lectures. This allowed the course to be debate led and more interactive. The tutors always asked us to challenge them which developed my critical thinking skills.

Most tutors tend to keep you on your toes by asking you questions on a random basis. The accounting seminars, for example, were interactive, with multiple variables derived by students.

How has the Masters degree differed from your undergraduate experience?
The work experience with the university has been truly beneficial.

Do you feel that your overall experience in the programme will make your profile more competitive in the job market?
Indeed. It’s been considered that more experience improves your value to an organisation. The contemporary knowledge and skills derived from the postgraduate degree is what I believe will help me in my future career.

Have you benefited from the services provided by the Employability Team?
Definitely! I took part in the employability award program which helped me improve my organisational skills. I plan to make use of the employability team for my interview tests as a graduate!

How have you found moving to and living in Nottingham?
It was easy settling in because NBS provided booklets and support at each stage to inform students about how to enjoy the UK and settle in as an international student.

Nottingham is a student environment which is very cost effective. The cost of living and transportation is very competitive compared to other cities.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about applying for the degree?

I would advise them to meet the university recruiters at fairs in different countries or get in touch via email. They can provide you with all the support and advice you need. Meet former students of the program (if possible) to get better insight about the University and the range of courses.

What are your short-term and long-term career plans?
As I mentioned earlier, my target to work at a consultancy firm is clear thanks to the degree.

Finally, in your words, how would you describe your experience of studying a Masters degree at NBS?
Insightful, efficient and with endless resources available. Studying at NBS gave me a clear vision of my future goals and the ways to achieve it.