Vishal Amin

I was born in London but I moved to Gurgaon, India at the age of 8. After 10 solid years in India, I decided to come back home to pursue my undergraduate degree at Loughborough University - the best decision of my life. During my time, I joined both Technology and Salsa Society and was elected as the Programme Representative for the BSc Information Management and Business degree.

The Loughborough 'bubble' provides plenty of opportunities for students to learn, grow and connect. From playing Sunday League 6-a-side football, going to the library to socialise rather than work and undertaking salsa-lessons to up my LSU game, I could not have asked for a better university experience. Upon graduation, my career aspiration was to enter the digital marketing field. After scrolling through numerous university websites, I landed on MSc Digital Marketing programme at Loughborough University London. I knew right then, this is the choice for me!

My desire to study digital marketing as a prospective career path began during my penultimate year at university. I worked as a 'Digital Strategist' in India for advertising agencies - Dentsu Webchutney and Happy mcgarrybowen. What caught my interest was the job role of a digital marketer - the skill to interact with a wide range of creatives in completing a project in a fun and inclusive manner. By undergoing the MSc Digital Marketing course from a top 10 UK university, Loughborough University London, I aim to gain a detailed understanding of digital technology and the concepts of contemporary digital marketing practices. From engaging with industrial practitioners and world-class researchers, to discovering the latest digital trends, my goal is to gain insight into consumer digital footprints to solve critical problems associated with digital marketing in the global market.

What I like most about the course is fewer exams and more coursework. My personal highlight was the 'Strategic Marketing Management' coursework. I had to choose a brand - given by the lecturer (as A), thereafter, carry out a market assessment and planning for a strategic extension of the particular brand to a new product (as B), targeting a regional market of my choice. After thorough market research, I designed a 'smart' face mask for the Chinese market. Moreover, the student cohort is specifically postgraduates. While most students are fresh graduates, some have been working for years in the field. For instance, during Induction Day I met a 32-year-old man that got married three days before and a 42-year-old that completed his undergraduate degree twenty years ago. It was lovely to hear and share stories from our personal lives, making the environment highly inclusive and professional.

I believe learning never ends. Acquiring a master's degree, will be a stepping stone for me to gain a strong understanding of the ins and outs of my chosen field - Digital Marketing. By pursuing a subject that I love, while having the privilege to learn from industrial practitioners and world-class researchers, I believe a master's degree will open many different opportunities in my career journey. Ultimately, my life aim is to feel ready to tackle the real-world and create positive change.

I would normally be playing football, exploring different restaurants in London or meeting up with my friends from Loughborough. As an Arsenal fan, on the weekends I will crack open a cold one with the boys at the nearby pub!

London is a great place to be, especially for university students. Speaking from an international student perspective, adapting to a new country is never easy. But trust me, overcoming the anxiety of new climates, cultures and traditions is a life experience. As I sit in Stratford One and write this message, I have a special request for those deciding to join Loughborough University London - just go out, make new friends and explore what London has to offer! Trust me, you will not regret it. In fact, you will feel more confident and strong on your journey to living a better life. Last but not least, as a university student do not forget - keep a BUDGET. If not, say bye-bye to your bank account.