Muskan Sahdev, MSc Management Business

Muskan Sahdev, MSc Management Business

Muskan Sahdev completed the MSc in Management Business in 2020.  An international student from India, Muskan shares her experience with us, from arriving in DCU as a student, to today, a recent graduate who has returned to deliver guest lectures to the next intake of students.  

“Like most students, I conducted a thorough research to narrow down the university in which I wanted to study. I considered factors such as the location, reputation and ranking of the university. But, the two most important factors for me were the course structure and securing on-campus accommodation. I was fortunate to be offered acceptance letters by some prestigious universities but while exploring the course structure of MSc. Management (Business) (MSBM) offered by DCU, the Next Generation Management (NGM) module and Practicum – Applied Research module which gave an opportunity to work with a real client on a project, stood out for me.

I landed in Dublin on 14th September 2019, two days ahead of the beginning of my orientation week. International students were given a massive warm welcome by the staff of the DCU International Office and DCU’s very helpful Student Ambassadors. I got to live, the first time ever out of home in Purcell House (DCU’s All Hallows Campus), a beautiful 17th century building.

Purcell House – DCU All Hallows Campus

I studied 12 diverse modules as part of my 1-year intensive Masters. The lessons I learnt at DCU continue to help me in my career and life in general. As part of my Data Analytics and Visualization module, I created my first ever Tableau dashboard using UNICEF’s real data on Gender Inequality. I created two of my first ever Process Maps to apply Lean and Six Sigma techniques theories which I learnt in my Business Process Innovation module. I submitted a 200+ pages project report to our client as part of my group Practicum – Applied Research module where we were the highest scoring team in our entire batch. I wrote and submitted a 70,000+ words portfolio, inclusive of reflections on activities I had volunteered for across all 4 core themes of Research, Career and Personal Development, Business and Society and Digital, and developed my Personal Development Plan (PDP) as part of the NGM Module, for which I scored a First-Class Honours.

My favourite spot to work from in DCU – The Pairc Room in the U Building, DCU Glasnevin Campus

I remember these words of my professors from my Induction week;  “You have one year, give your everything, because you won’t even realize how quickly this one year will pass” – Dr. Declan Curran had said. And “Trust the process” – Prof Gerry Conyngham had said. From that day on, my motto throughout my MSc. in Business Management became just that. Throughout my academic year, I tried to give my best and always remembered those words which truly kept me going.

My first ever Tableau Dashboard

My two first ever Process – Maps to apply Lean and Six Sigma techniques

During my time in DCU I also engaged in volunteer work which positively added to my personal development. Largely credited to the NGM module, I was appointed as an MS Excel tutor for undergraduate students of DCU, Age Friendly Teaching Programme team lead, volunteer at HeadstARTS DCU, a minor back-end mentor for Enactus DCU, and a Member of DCU Tennis Club.

In August 2020, I became a MSBM graduate by scoring an overall 2nd Class Honours Grade 1. I was ranked 10th in my class. I will always be extremely grateful to all my professors, mentors and wonderful peers for their unwavering support, without whom my journey at DCU wouldn’t have been possible.

Along with the absolute joy, experiences and guidance I was able to gather at DCU, I hoped to work with DCU one day because I wanted to have the tremendous opportunity to give something back to DCU for all the pivotal teachings I gained here. I did indeed get the opportunity to work on two projects with supervisors who have not been just mere colleagues, but such strong, and respected trailblazers in their own fields.

With the mountain of experiences I gathered at DCU and during my undergraduate degree, confirmed my passion to continue working in teams on meaningful projects. After DCU, I started working with Dublin City Council, to support the establishment of the first ever European Programme Office to be formed in any County Council across Ireland. Just 6 months into my new role, I have been able to gather diverse enriching experiences with opportunities to develop an understanding of Dublin City Council, explore EU Policies, conduct stakeholder mapping, build partnerships and with all that, have a strong focus on my personal development.

I sincerely hope that I was able to express my love for DCU as my alma mater. If you choose to be a part of this institution, that is a harbinger of diversity, inclusiveness, innovation and support, and you feel you’d be making the right choice, 100% go ahead with your gut feeling. As once you’re a part of DCU, you’d definitely feel it’s a place you’ll belong. To all the current DCU students, you’re in the right place – have faith in yourself and your professors. I wish each of you the very best for a successful academic year.”

To find out more and to connect with Muskan see her profile here.

If you are interested in the MSc in Management Business, find out more here.