Davina

Why did you choose this master's programme at KTH?

There are several reasons why I choose the Industrial Management programme. First of all, the broad field of topics and the interaction with industry leaders in the programme caught my attention. 

I see this as a great opportunity to expand my knowledge not only academically but also culturally. Since I always had the goal of studying and living abroad, this master's programme meant achieving both. Additionally, the country of Sweden and especially Stockholm left a positive, lasting impression when I visited it a few years ago. 

Another reason is how certain topics are dealt with at KTH. For example, innovation is omnipresent, and one feels that there is a future-oriented and pioneering mindset. Likewise, KTH emphasises sustainable development, which includes not only 'Gender Equality', but also 'Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure' and 'Responsible Consumption and Production. This integration of important topics reinforced my choice and desire to continue my academic career at KTH.

What are the best aspects of your programme?

I would like to highlight three aspects regarding the programme. Firstly, the studies cover several fields, like project management or economics and leadership, enabling a big picture and an ideal preparation for my future work.

On top of this, within almost every course, direct contact with organisations and the industry is ensured by organising case studies or guest lectures, which, especially in this field, is an important advantage. 

Finally, the topics are discussed on different levels and always include aspects such as sustainability, gender equality and industry perspectives which I think are very important and often not considered well enough. 

Have you chosen a specialisation track within the programme?

In this programme, there is no general specialisation, but you are free to choose several elective courses and create your own specialisation through this. In my case, I was interested in innovation which is why I choose the courses Management of Technology Innovation and Creativity along with Business Model Innovation and Design Thinking - courses offered by the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES), which KTH students can select as well. 

What are some of your favourite courses so far?

My favourite course within the programme was Perspectives on Industrial Management (PIM). It gave me a basis for the ongoing studies and approached topics in different ways like case studies, guest lectures, and presentations. Also, it enabled me to have discussions within the groups and get to know new people directly at the beginning of my studies. 

The elective Management of Technology Innovation and Creativity was very nice for me since I am so interested in innovation. On top of this, the cases in both courses were connected strongly to practice and current topics. 

How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?

There was a big difference in the way I studied in Germany. The semester was structured very differently, and I had exams twice a semester. In general, the workload was more distributed throughout the semester compared to my Bachelor's degree, where we usually had a big exam phase at the end of the semester. 

Furthermore, the way of working also included much more group work and interactivity. Due to the remote work during the covid-19, this was unfortunately often only possible online, but it was still a very good way to get to know different opinions and work in a team. 

What do you want to do after graduating?

Since this programme and my former studies are a perfect link between industry and management, I would like to use all these different parts of knowledge to solve problems in various industrial fields and help create a change. Furthermore, I am very interested in a broad area of topics and working strategically as well as innovative in international, ambitious teams. This is why I am aiming to start with strategy consulting after my graduation.

What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master's studies?

I can only recommend applying for this programme and in case you are unsure, approach students and ask questions. People here are very open, helpful and supportive – try to engage with them. Not only will the programme give you an excellent academic and industrial background but you will have an unforgettable international experience.