November 22, 2024, by Business School Postgraduate Careers

“Unlock Your Potential”: How to Make the Most of Your Nottingham Experience Beyond the Classroom

Rajesh Kumar Elangovan, MSc Supply Chain and Operations Management (2024), shares his experience of how to make the most of your Nottingham experience beyond the classroom.

As someone who’s walked the path before you, I want to share some insights and practical advice to help you make the most of your time here—especially when it comes to engaging in extracurricular activities.

When I first arrived, like many of you, my goal was clear: complete my Master’s and secure a job in the UK. What I didn’t fully realize at the beginning, though, was the immense value of participating in extracurricular activities—even those that didn’t seem directly related to my career. Looking back, I can confidently say that those experiences played a huge role in shaping my journey. Here’s why I encourage you to do the same:

1. Broaden Your Skills and Experience

Extracurricular activities offer more than just a break from academics—they help you develop skills that are hard to gain from textbooks. For example:

Hackathons (like the Project Management Institute of Europe’s competition we participated in) taught me how to think on my feet, collaborate with diverse teams, and solve complex problems in a real-world setting. These skills are transferable to any career, not just project management.

Consultancy Challenges exposed me to how UK companies operate and what they expect from graduates. Working on live business problems for startups like Anteam provided practical experience that strengthened my resume, and it showed employers that I had more to offer than just academic knowledge.

Practical Tip: Don’t wait for opportunities to fall into your lap. Seek them out! Attend career fairs, keep an eye on university events, and ask your professors and advisors about extracurricular challenges, consultancy projects, and competitions.

2. Build a Professional Network

The people you meet through extracurricular activities can become mentors, friends, or even future colleagues. Whether it was through the Nottingham Consultancy Challenge or the Friends International Community, I met people who were instrumental in my career and personal growth.

Many of the companies I worked with, including large firms like JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) during the MSc Consultancy Competition for Business School Master’s students, offered invaluable networking opportunities. You never know when one of these connections might open doors for you in the future.

Practical Tip: Don’t be shy about introducing yourself to professionals during events. Take part in networking sessions, and after the event, follow up on LinkedIn with a message about how much you appreciated the opportunity to connect.

3.Adapt and Thrive in a New Culture

Being part of a larger community like the Friends International Community helped me adjust to living in a new country and culture. The Life Leadership Course I participated in not only improved my leadership and public speaking skills but also gave me the confidence to share my own experiences and learn from others.

Here, I want to remind you of a famous quote: “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.” While you will grow and adapt to life in the UK, it’s your unique background, culture, and experiences that will make you stand out. Embrace British culture, but also take pride in where you come from. My ability to combine my Indian heritage with the skills and values I learned in the UK made me stronger and more resilient.

Practical Tip: Join at least one community or group that aligns with your interests outside of your studies. It could be cultural, social, or even a sports club. This will help you feel more integrated and make your time in the UK more enjoyable and fulfilling.

5. Boost Your Employability

Employers in the UK highly value practical experience, and extracurricular activities are a great way to gain that. My decision to work on business projects instead of a traditional dissertation gave me a unique advantage. While research projects are valuable, real-world experience—working directly with companies—added relevant, impactful experience that can differentiate you from other candidates in the job market.

Practical Tip: When the time comes to choose between a research project or a business project, think strategically. If you’ve gained enough experience in your area, go for the business project—it will likely lead to stronger job prospects.

5.Keep Yourself Motivated and Focused

It’s easy to get lost in the pressure of assignments, job searches, and exams, but engaging in extracurricular activities gave me the mental break I needed. More importantly, it kept me motivated. These activities provided a sense of accomplishment outside the academic setting, which boosted my confidence and focus in my studies.

Practical Tip: Manage your time wisely, and make room for extracurricular activities. Balance is key—you don’t need to participate in everything, but choose a few activities that interest you and stick with them. They’ll enrich your experience here in ways you might not expect.

I also want to highlight the Nottingham Advantage Award, a valuable opportunity open to all students, though many are unaware of its benefits. This award helped me consolidate my achievements, allowing me to reflect on everything I had done—whether it was participating in the Hackathon, consultancy projects, or balancing part-time work.

The Award is a great way to document your extracurricular activities and build a stronger profile for employers. I highly recommend getting involved, as it offers a structured way to recognize your growth and ensure you’re showcasing your best self as you pursue your career. Below mentioned is the poster reflecting the path that I have come as a Master’s student at University of Nottingham.

Final Thoughts: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

You might feel that some extracurricular activities don’t directly relate to your course or career, but sometimes that’s where the magic happens. I took part in activities that, at first glance, seemed unrelated to supply chain management, but they ultimately taught me valuable lessons, helped me grow as a person, and opened doors to opportunities I hadn’t imagined.

Remember, opportunities are like red cars. When you start looking for them, you’ll begin to notice them everywhere. But the key is—you have to look for them! The job market is competitive, but by taking part in a variety of activities and building your skills and network, you’ll put yourself in a strong position. Employers are always looking for well-rounded individuals who can think critically, solve problems, work in teams, and lead effectively—qualities you can develop outside the classroom.

So, my advice to you is simple: Be proactive, be curious, and get involved. You never know where the next opportunity will come from, and you’ll be much more prepared to seize it when it does.

Wishing you all the best in your journey. Stay focused, stay positive, and most importantly—enjoy the ride!

 

 

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