Thomas Carroll

“I’ve personally found the cultural diversity on offer massively valuable. It’s such a unique experience to be able to walk into a room and have so many people from so many different places, all with individual experiences that I've never been exposed to before. That in itself is hugely enriching” 

Biology to business

I have been in London since my undergraduate degree, studying biology at Imperial College London. I also have a background in innovation consultancy and intellectual property after previously completing work experience in those fields. I decided to join London Business School (LBS) as I've always been intrigued by the business world. In the summer of my second year at university, I did some work for a startup-incubator in Australia. During that time I discovered that business wasn't the mysterious thing that only “business people do”. Whilst my science degree was something that I was good at and enjoyed, it wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to do forever. The ways of working I explored in my internship and the discovery that business could be interesting; by ways of making a difference whilst being a part of something, or in getting out there and setting up something of your own, I found very exciting.

London for life

I want to get into consultancy, and so the Masters in Management (MiM) programme at LBS drew me specifically because it has an excellent track record of getting candidates into those kinds of jobs. Alongside this, the massively international student body, the attractive profile of the alumni, the unrivalled business community and the global reputation of the school were also huge factors in my decision. Finally, after completing three years of my undergraduate degree in London, I jumped at the chance to remain in the city. I love London, and as a global hub for business, it’s a fantastic place to be based.

Sharing the experience

The business experience of my fellow colleagues is paramount to professional development. You have people who've completed various internships in different countries and industries, to those who have tried to start their own companies. Just having conversations with people from these backgrounds, whether it’s the way they speak about business or sharing their way of thinking, motivates you to build your skills, go and do something that's interesting to you, make a difference and get results. The LBS experience is about teaching you the art of getting stuff done in an effective way, and this whole mindset the school incubates has been really valuable for me.

Connecting continents

I’m one of around 15 people from the UK out of a class of over 200 students. I’ve personally found the cultural diversity on offer massively valuable. It’s such a unique experience to be able to walk into a room and have so many people from so many different places, all with individual experiences that I've never been exposed to before. That in itself is hugely enriching. The exposure to such an international student body has allowed me to develop a wide range of cultural sensitivities. Having this intimate experience with your classmates is highly valuable, as I’ve gained an understanding of how to operate in various territories and be comfortable around different types of people. I’ve also been able to expand my horizons in terms of what I’m capable of, and become more open to exploring opportunities in other countries that I’d not really considered before. The programme has really impacted me in that the world now seems much smaller, and not intimidating, but exciting.

 

Explore and expanding

I attended the Cape Town trip, which was a real highlight of the programme. I've also been involved in TEDx London Business School, which was a great opportunity to give back to the community and put on an amazing event. During these experiences, I learned a huge amount on everything from working in and leading teams, to managing relationships and building credibility. I’ve gained a lot of knowledge, in theory from academia and lectures, but also experiential learning. The social and the extracurricular aspect of the LBS experience has been hugely useful in taking what you've learnt in the lectures and then putting it into practice.

Great expectations

I would expect the impact of the MiM on my career will help me transition from education to a good starting job in an international city. I’ve already seen how it can open up opportunities that I wouldn't otherwise have had, however I know it is up to me to make the most of them. Just having the LBS name behind you helps to open doors. Being part of the alumni community is always an instant bond in the professional world. I've made some good friends here, and I hope and expect that in 10 years’ time, I’ll be able to raise any particular problems with those I’ve remained in contact with, allowing me to navigate around or more quickly resolve any hurdles in my career.

Open to opportunists

LBS will make available to you many, many opportunities, however, it is up to you to make the best of them. Examine the opportunities, decide which ones matter to you, and seek the advice of your peers and fellow alumni as well. They are a huge source of knowledge that you can use to decide which opportunities you're really going to grab and run with.