Diana Calmic
Country of origin: United Kingdom
MSc Course: MSc Management
Graduation year: 2022
“Bayes gave me the skills and belief to know that anything is possible”
Diana Calmic had previously completed a master’s in International Business and Politics, but with career aspirations to move into management consulting, Diana felt she needed an additional qualification, rooted in real-world practice.
“When I looked at the MSc Management at Bayes, it was more practical than other courses I considered. It was based on the reality of business, not just the theoretical concepts.”
“I was also attracted by the triple crown accreditation, and the fact that it has an extensive alumni network – I knew I would make pivotal connections and gain lifetime membership to a vast professional network.”
Learning with impact
“There were three modules which had a real impact on my career, and even to this day I think they were invaluable. These modules were Negotiation Skills for Multi-Discipline Managers, Digital Management, and the Consulting Project. The skills I learned from these modules have been instrumental in my career to date.”
“As part of the Consulting Project, Bayes gave us a three month engagement with a private charitable fund, called Lund Trust. Although the client was provided by Bayes, it was up to us to define the project timeline and scope, understand the client’s challenges, and conduct the analyses in such a way as to address these challenges. It was an exciting sustainability project. Within three months, we defined a framework for sustainable investment to help Lund Trust select the cities within the UK to invest in for urban greening. Specifically, urban greening includes activities like planting trees and creating parks to improve the environmental and social characteristics of cities.”
“On the day of the final presentation, we hosted the client in a lecture hall at our campus, in the tradition of a real-life management consultancy – we dressed in our best suits, welcomed the client and made introductions, and presented our recommendations in a classical presentation format. Being able to do that as a student was the highlight of my time at Bayes.”
“It was highly rewarding to work with Lund Trust to make a real-life impact. This project also became a key factor that helped me get my first job in management consulting, because it differentiated me in the interview process. Having that practical experience really was invaluable.”
Achieving a career goal
After graduation, Diana succeeded in her initial career aim, going to work for CORE, a strategic management consultancy based in Berlin, now part of EPAM Systems. In that role, she focused on her interest in sustainability, which initially stemmed from a magazine article:
“Before starting at Bayes, I was on a plane flying over the Mediterranean and I came across a magazine article about a company in Greece which was developing a boat that uses solar panels for sails. Essentially, it makes trips without any emissions at all. The fact that the project was operational, doing this for the betterment of everybody, was very exciting.”
“That was the moment that I knew I wanted to learn more about what is happening in that sphere and how I could help.”
Diana was able to develop that passion during her time on the MSc Management at Bayes.
“My dissertation at Bayes looked at the green bonds market, asking if there was a financial bubble and whether businesses should invest in it. It was this dissertation that became the basis for the first sustainability White Paper at CORE and the start of the Sustainability Advisory practice that I grew to 10 people in 12 months and included a variety of ESG topics. Both the White Paper and the practice sought to address our clients’ most pressing sustainability needs, distilling the latest sustainability regulations and highlighting the tools and processes businesses can use to remain compliant. I realised that although we were doing a fantastic job in business transformation, we were not really providing for the sustainability needs of our clients.”
Making the most of the Bayes experience
Bayes clubs and societies are an integral part of the student experience, something Diana embraced.
“I was the VP of Events for Bayes Consultancy Society, which was great for getting into the industry, talking to professionals, and bringing that knowledge back to Bayes and the student body.”
“I was also the VP of Bayes Times, the first student financial magazine – I was excited to apply what I was learning in my MSc Management lectures to chart the course of a new society. It was a hands-on application of the corporate entrepreneurship and advanced strategy analysis we were learning about.”
“Skills development is embedded throughout Bayes’ courses – for example, learning how to negotiate and how to enact change within an organisation. These skills have been instrumental for me as a management consultant, from conducting client meetings with senior stakeholders, to driving strategic initiatives. The real-life case studies from the course helped me make the right decisions in the right way.”
Another feature Diana has found useful is the ongoing support from the Careers Service:
“As a student, I used the Careers Service for case interview practice, which was very helpful. Now as an alumna, I’m using them again to receive invaluable guidance on how I can pivot my career and the things I can do to achieve my next goal.”
“Bayes can open a lot of doors – it has done so for me, and I have seen it work for every other student. Prospective students should strive to understand the full suite of benefits which Bayes offers. It’s not only the lecturers, the networking opportunities, the Career’s Service – it is all of these elements working together that truly propels you to new heights. It’s a holistic experience. My advice is to make sure that you understand this and how you can best use these benefits when you are here.”
A greener future
Diana is optimistic about continuing to develop her career with a focus on sustainability:
“What I see is a world that is striving to become more sustainable and smarter. We are asking pivotal questions, such as how can we make a positive impact on the planet and society through the use of smarter, greener technologies? This transformation has the potential to permeate all levels of our daily lives. I’m excited to see how the world will evolve, and the solutions we will find to our most complex challenges.”
“One important thing I took away from my time at Bayes is that truly almost anything is possible in the business world. From having built a student society, to delivering complex business transformations and then establishing a sustainability practice from scratch – these are things that Bayes showed me are possible, and more.”
“If you know your strengths, are open to learn, and have the right people around you, then anything is possible.”