The SKETCH student experience

Studying at the School of Business and Management at Queen Mary University of London has been a pivotal chapter in my life academically, professionally, and personally. Looking back, my journey at the School of Business and Management was so much more than a degree, it was a test of resilience, an exploration of leadership, and a chance to find myself in a truly global environment.

The MSc Management programme empowered me with rigorous business knowledge while giving me the space to pursue my passion for leadership, strategy, and innovation.

What truly distinguished my journey at the School of Business and Management were the incredible real-world opportunities. I proudly participated in initiatives such as the qHeritage Project, Project ReMAKE, and QHack, where I collaborated on impactful social and entrepreneurial ventures.

These experiences strengthened my problem-solving abilities, cross-functional teamwork, and real-world application of business concepts skills that I carry with me every day.

• In the qHeritage Project, I collaborated with the Museum of the Home in London, where our team was tasked with understanding why certain communities weren’t engaging with the museum. I took the lead on the Non-Visitor Analysis, creating research tools, reaching out to audiences, and compiling insights that were presented directly to museum leaders. This experience showed me the power of using data-driven storytelling to shape cultural outreach, and it gave me a new appreciation for how management research can influence community engagement at a national institution.
• I was also involved with Project ReMAKE – perhaps one of the most transformative experiences for me. Acting as a student advisor, I worked with entrepreneurs who had lived experience of incarceration. My role involved mentoring them through the entrepreneurial journey brainstorming business models, refining pitch decks, and coaching them for their Dragons’ Den presentations. The process was emotional, challenging, and rewarding. It taught me that business education isn’t just about strategy or profit, but about restoring dignity, creating second chances, and sparking social change. I left this project with a deeper sense of purpose, convinced that leadership is grounded in empathy and service.
• In QHack, Queen Mary’s hackathon, we had hours to work with a diverse group of students on an innovation challenge. It was a whirlwind of ideation, prototyping, and pitching under pressure. What I gained was more than just problem-solving skills, it was the confidence to thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments, and to bring bold, creative ideas into practical solutions. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the art of thinking on my feet.

Later, I had the opportunity to work as a Research Associate at the School of Business and Management, where I contributed to a large-scale study on leadership and organisational behaviour. I was responsible for preparing research materials, coordinating data collection, and analysing findings to support the academic team.

This role sharpened my ability to translate theory into practical insights, while also developing the discipline to manage complex projects with rigour and precision. It was a valuable bridge between my academic studies and professional ambitions.

As an international student, the transition was not always easy. I faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture, balancing expectations, and navigating the unknown. But it was at Queen Mary that I discovered how to turn those challenges into opportunities. The inclusive culture, inspiring faculty, and globally diverse peers pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me discover a new version of myself one who can bridge creativity with strategy, local roots with global vision.

Looking back, I realise that what makes my journey stand out is not just the projects I took part in, but the way the School of Business and Management shaped me into someone who can thrive across boundaries. Today, I see myself not only as an architect of buildings, but as an architect of ideas, strategies, and impact and that is the greatest I’ve taken from Queen Mary.

The school’s inclusive, globally connected environment, supportive faculty, and vibrant community of peers helped me evolve not just as a student, but as a purpose-driven leader. I wholeheartedly recommend the School of Business and Management to anyone seeking not just a degree but a journey of transformation, ambition, and global impact.

Rishi Kumawat, MSc Management Graduate 2025
Queen Mary University of London