My name is Elisa Amelia and I am originally from Indonesia. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Prasetiya Mulya University, where I was awarded Best Graduate of my cohort with a GPA of 3.97/4.00.

In my final year of undergraduate study, I completed an internship as a Brand Partnership Intern within the Marketing Department at Sayurbox, one of Indonesia’s largest e-grocery platforms. Despite being a new recruit, I successfully delivered all assigned responsibilities and initiated partnership programmes with more than ten brands within just three months.

Due to my strong performance during the internship, I was offered a full-time role as a Product Marketing Executive at Pasarnow, another leading e-grocery platform, even before I officially graduated. These early professional experiences were incredibly valuable and further strengthened my passion for pursuing a career in marketing.

Why I chose MSc Marketing at The University of Manchester

Coming from a Business Management background, my undergraduate studies exposed me to a broad range of disciplines, including operations, finance, HR, and marketing. While this gave me a solid foundation, I realised that marketing was the area I enjoyed most—particularly through my internship at Sayurbox and my subsequent full-time role as a Product Marketer at Pasarnow.

However, as my undergraduate programme did not allow me to specialise deeply in marketing, I decided to pursue a master’s degree to sharpen and deepen my expertise in the field. I was also keen to gain international exposure and explore opportunities to work abroad, and studying in the UK felt like a strategic step towards achieving that goal.

The University of Manchester quickly became my top choice due to its triple accreditation, comprehensive and industry-relevant modules, and its strong emphasis on practical learning. In particular, the Group Business Project stood out to me. Instead of a traditional dissertation, this project allowed students to work on a real business case, collaborate in diverse teams, and present solutions directly to industry clients. I felt this would not only enhance my learning experience but also help me build a strong professional network while working in a rigorous, real-world environment.

Memorable experiences or key takeaways from my time here

I graduated with the Highest Degree Average in the MSc Marketing cohort 2023/2024, an achievement I genuinely never imagined I would reach. Being part of a cohort of over 100 students from diverse nationalities, many of whom brought strong academic and professional backgrounds, this recognition was deeply rewarding.

One of the highlights of the programme was the Group Business Project, where my cohort worked with Procter & Gamble (P&G) as our client. My team was responsible for developing a strategy to launch a cashback programme in the UK, from market analysis through to final recommendations. We secured 1st Place in the project, and this experience gave me valuable, hands-on exposure to UK-based consulting. It later became a strong example I used in job applications and interviews, and played an important role in helping me secure a role in the UK.

I was also honoured to receive the Stellify Award, the University’s most prestigious award recognising outstanding achievements beyond academics. Alongside my studies, I was involved in volunteering and worked as a Student Ambassador, where I contributed to blogs and led campus tours.

Beyond the achievements, the most memorable part of my time at Manchester was the international friendships and connections I built. These relationships have stayed with me well beyond graduation and continue to be meaningful both personally and professionally. 

My career development since graduating

From the very first day of my studies, I was intentional about preparing for a career in the UK. Alongside my coursework, I consistently dedicated time to job applications, knowing that my long-term goal was to gain international work experience after graduation.

The University of Manchester offers a highly competitive graduate programme called Manchester Graduate Talent (MGT), and I was fortunate to secure a role as a Design and Engagement Graduate (Marketing) within the Careers Service—a role closely aligned with my academic background. Marketing positions within MGT are limited, making this opportunity particularly meaningful.

During my time at the Careers Service, I worked on a wide range of marketing projects, including creating social media content for @uomcareers, helping to grow the account by over 3,000 followers, and designing marketing assets to support events and initiatives across different teams. I was also part of the International Working Group, where I contributed insights from my perspective as an international student to help make Careers Service content and initiatives more inclusive for a global audience.

After nearly a year in this role, I decided to further develop my skills and am now working at the University of Manchester Students’ Union as a Graduate Content Producer within the Marketing team, supporting its social enterprise and commercial outlets.

How the course supported my career development

The MSc Marketing programme played a crucial role in preparing me for my professional career. The course strengthened my strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and problem-solving skills, all of which are essential in a marketing role.

Through case-based learning, presentations, and group projects, I developed strong communication and teamwork skills, particularly in multicultural environments. The Group Business Project was especially impactful, as it simulated real consulting work with an international client, allowing me to apply theory directly to practice.

In addition, the programme helped me build a strong professional narrative. The combination of academic excellence, practical projects, and UK-based business exposure gave me the confidence—and concrete examples—to stand out in applications and interviews. This directly supported my successful transition into graduate roles within the UK.

Advice for future applicants

Maximise your degree experience. Treat your degree as more than just coursework. Projects like the P&G Group Business Project were part of my academic requirements, but they felt like genuine consulting work—and employers truly recognised their value.

Build meaningful connections. Studying at Manchester is a rare opportunity to meet people from all over the world. These connections can become lifelong friendships and valuable professional networks. When you work on group projects, make the effort to stay in touch afterwards—those relationships matter more than you might expect.

Be proactive and intentional. Start thinking about your goals early, whether that’s working abroad, entering a specific industry, or developing particular skills. Take advantage of the University’s resources, careers support, and extracurricular opportunities—they can make a real difference in shaping your future.

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