Why did you choose to study at LUMS?

Having previously studied and worked in China, I wanted to challenge myself by pursuing an international education in marketing and building a life in a new country.

LUMS stood out to me because of its strong academic reputation in marketing and its position as one of the UK’s leading business schools. I was particularly drawn to the MSc Marketing programme because it combined creativity and commercial thinking with data, research and strategy.

Lancaster also offered opportunities to study at other prestigious European business schools. I knew that gaining experience in different academic and cultural environments would broaden my perspective and better prepare me for an increasingly complex and international business world.

What was the best thing about your course?

The best thing about the course was the balance between analytical thinking and real-world application. We were encouraged not only to understand marketing theories, but also to question them, work with data and apply our learning to practical business challenges.

One of the highlights was my dissertation, where I used eye-tracking technology to study consumer behaviour. It taught me how to turn complex information into meaningful insights which is a skill that remains valuable today, even though my career has evolved from marketing into technology and transformation consulting.

I also really valued the group projects. Working with classmates from different countries, cultures and academic backgrounds taught me how to communicate clearly, bring different perspectives together and help a team work towards a shared goal.

Most importantly, I met two of my best friends at Lancaster. It has been such a blessing to continue growing alongside them, both personally and professionally, as we have built our lives and careers together in London.

What/who inspired you most at LUMS and why?

My classmates inspired me the most. Everyone brought a different story, culture and ambition to the classroom. Being surrounded by people who had taken risks to study abroad encouraged me to become more confident, curious and open-minded.

One of my Swiss friends encouraged me to continue my studies and apply for an exchange programme at the University of St. Gallen. After graduating from Lancaster, I spent six months studying there. That experience challenged me academically, expanded my international perspective and prepared me well for the transition into my professional career.

I was also inspired by classmates who were willing to explore careers beyond the most obvious path for their degree. They showed me that the skills developed through marketing: understanding people, analysing information, communicating ideas and solving problems, could be applied across many different industries.

That mindset gave me the confidence to build a career that now combines business, technology and transformation.

Describe your time at LUMS in three words.

Growth, Discovery, Possibility.

What are your best memories of your time at Lancaster?

Some of my best academic memories are of working with classmates on group projects. We would exchange ideas, challenge one another and gradually turn very different perspectives into one strong final presentation. Even when deadlines were approaching, there was a genuine sense that we were learning from each other and creating something meaningful together.

I also treasure the friendships and everyday moments of campus life, to have conversations with people from all over the world, exploring Lancaster and travelling around the UK with friends.

Moving from China and beginning a new life in the UK was a significant personal journey. Lancaster was where I first began to feel that I could truly belong, contribute and succeed in an international environment. It gave me not only an education, but also a sense of confidence and possibility.

Which parts of your Lancaster experience were the best preparation for your job?

The combination of teamwork, research, presentations and demanding deadlines prepared me particularly well for my career.

In consulting, I regularly work with technical specialists, business stakeholders and senior leaders who may all have different priorities. My experience at Lancaster taught me how to listen to different perspectives, structure complex information and communicate it in a way that is clear, relevant and engaging for the audience.

Managing several assignments and group projects at the same time also strengthened my organisation and time-management skills. These are essential in my current role, where I help coordinate large infrastructure transformation and cloud migration programmes involving multiple systems, teams and dependencies.

Most importantly, LUMS taught me how to learn. Technology changes quickly, so being curious, adaptable and comfortable working outside my original area of expertise has become one of the most valuable foundations of my career.

What impact has your Lancaster experience had on your career?

Lancaster played an important role in helping me establish my career in the UK. It gave me strong commercial, analytical and communication skills, as well as the confidence to compete for opportunities in a highly international job market.

After beginning my career in marketing and spending a year working in luxury retail at Cartier in London, I moved into consulting at Accenture. I now work on technology infrastructure, cloud migration and large-scale transformation programmes.

Although my current role may seem very different from my original degree, many of the core skills are closely connected. Understanding people, identifying their needs, using evidence to make decisions and communicating complex ideas clearly are just as important in technology transformation as they are in marketing.

Since graduating, I have continued to challenge myself by earning professional certifications and taking on increasingly complex responsibilities. Lancaster did more than prepare me for my first job – it gave me the confidence and adaptability to keep learning, reinventing myself and building an ambitious international career in London.