Giulia Galvani, GMiM2022
“There are so many thrilling activities and clubs to join here that you will have a hard time choosing between them. You will have to learn to let go of some opportunities and to get your priorities straight!”
Education: University LIUC Carlo Cattaneo, Castellanza, Italy; graduated in 2019
Topic studied: Business Management and Economics
Interested in: Social impact, impact consulting
So, Giulia, why LBS? What was the leading factor about the School or programme that made up your mind to come here?
One of the leading factors in choosing LBS was the diversity of the cohort. From my past international experiences, I benefited heavily from surrounding myself with people from different countries and background, so I wanted to replicate this experience. Additionally, I really appreciated how the GMiM programme was structured. It allows students to study a double degree in two very different countries in a very seamless way, where the two years are perfectly integrated with each other, and the two universities collaborate to enhance the experience in both years. I was also very driven by the location of LBS, which is not only in London but is also in a very central and enjoyable area of the city. In terms of career opportunities, I heard that the Career Centre supported students in multiple ways, but it still exceeded my expectations. Finally, I was excited about the student clubs and extracurricular activities offered. Getting involved with them can be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun and a great way to meet people from different programmes. The range of student clubs at LBS is really unmatched, with loads of professional sectors, hobbies and sports, cultures and countries covered.
What advice do you have for current prospective students?
Research which activities you would like to take part in before coming to LBS! There are so many thrilling activities and clubs to join here that you will have a hard time choosing between them. You will have to learn to let go of some opportunities and to get your priorities straight! The positive side of it? If you happen to not be select for some of them, there is no need to worry: there are so many possibilities to get involved in the school community that each one of you can find one or more. Also, try to keep some free time during the summer before coming to London Business School: the preparation starts months before, with loads of networking events, Career Centre webinars and CV reviews and more.
You’ve joined a diverse class of peers, what is the unique offering you bring to the table?
Before coming to London Business School, I studied a Bachelors in Business Economics, with two exchange semesters at Singapore Management University and the University of South Australia. After that, I worked for about ten months in a corporation, in a Digital Marketing role with a strong focus on streamlining and optimising procedures within the department. During the summer, I helped out a start-up focused on sustainability in researching the crowdfunding markets, to discover more about how social impact enterprises operate, since the target sector for my post-master career is the social impact one. During the last two years, I also volunteered for the Italian Association of Bone Marrow Donors.
What is one thing you’ve learned about LBS that has surprised you?
What surprised me the most is the kind of people that I have met at LBS. Before coming here, I was worried that the environment would be very competitive. To my surprise, most people are very collaborative and friendly, making the overall experience much more enjoyable. Something that we all noticed was how easy it was for us to quickly connect and become friends with each other.
Thing you are most anxious about?
Finding a summer internship! There are so many opportunities out there that the choice overload can make you anxious. At the same time, the job market is heavily competitive at the moment. Considering how cumbersome the application process can be, in an already hectic year, you will need to make choices on which positions to apply to. Nevertheless, the Career Centre is extremely valuable in helping with the overall process, with loads of activities designed to tackle every stage: from research to application and negotiation of an offer.
Thing you are most excited about?
I am really looking forward to the LondonLAB project. Considering that some of the partner companies from the previous years would be among my portfolio of desired employers, it seems like is going to be a very enhancing opportunity. I cannot wait to work on a real-life project in my area of interest, to get more hands-on experience.
Fun fact about you that didn’t get included in your application?
From my days in Singapore, I became a huge foodie. I spend most of my monthly budget going out to eat in London, as the offer of international foods here is amazing, making it difficult to resist. I also really enjoy cooking with my peers, learning their traditional dishes.