Victoria Wang, Sweden
Previous degree, M.Sc. Medical Science, Major Biomedicine at Karolinska Institutet
Asia-Nordic Expansion Strategist as part of business development at Ernst & Young. This involves being responsible of developing sales towards Greater China clients investing in the Nordics and being the bridge for Swedish key clients to our chinese colleagues and rise issues about the development of the future Chinese market. This is a new initiative at the firm which allows me to have time to also work with key account management for one of the major global Swedish companies.
No. 1 lesson is to have experience in how to overcome challenges and
misunderstandings when interacting and working with different cultures and professional backgrounds; to realize that even though it was more time-consuming it also resulted in better outcome compared with a homogenous group. This reflects the current and future working climate, which is what GM is all about, to prepare you for your job you probably will sign contract with before graduation.
More importantly, it is especially thanks to SSE Alumni, the dedicated GM program management and supporting networks of "GM Friends" that I even got my dreamjob today. Their networks helped us to experience working at either major corporations or best in breed companies in niched markets. During the GM program we analyzed and interacted with some of the major corporations in Sweden which helped me to better understand and work at my current employer, who has 1200 employees only in Stockholm and 150 000 employees globally. Is this still not good enough for you? Well, they have provided models and hands-on tools I currently use at work in projects as well as some of the books they recommended us to buy, something I have experienced to be a beneficial exception rather than a obvious obligation.
Read article in SVD (Swedish newspaper) about Victoras new position.
Maria Ekman, Sweden
Being from the Northern region in Sweden, I started looking for
experiences - professional and personal ones - that would enable me to see and understand the world from a broader perspective. This search brought me to study and work in the U.S., Guyana, South Africa and to the GM program at SSE.
My interest in business studies stems from witnessing the incredible
creativity and productivity of the American marketplace. My first
degrees in history and political science gave me a good foundation to
view and analyze the world and current events but after working for a few years, I wanted to complement my knowledge with models and tools to understand business and global economics. I also wanted to strengthen my quantitative skills as well as research rising forms of capitalism such as Creative Capitalism, Philanthrocapitalism and
Capitalism 4.0.
Prior and parallell to SSE, I work in the non-profit sector. My
experience is a mix of multilateral organizations, such as the World
Bank and the European Commission, non-governmental organizations, including Grassroots Soccer, SWEA and Washington European Society, and well-established educational institutions, Yale School of Management.
In each of these organizations, I have been able to combine my analytical skill set with passion and purpose. This experience has inspired me to devote myself to bring positive change to this world, preferably in the most vulnerable communities.
As an aspiring business woman, my intention is to use business concepts and innovation to solve societal problems and inspire others to do the same. I aspire to reconcile the two dual domains of business and responsibility, as well as strategy and leadership. Bringing together these strong forces for social cohesion and economic development is an untapped opportunity and a challenge I would love to accept.
In the end, a leader does not only create value for oneself but also opportunities for those where these previously did not exist.
Alumni 2011
Shuhan Shi, China
BA in English Language and Literature, Beijing Language and Culture University.
Stockholm School of Economics is one of the top business schools in Europe and enjoys a very high reputation for its leading academic research and providing the Swedish and European business community with top talents.
At General Management Program in particular, I had the chance to learn from the best in the academic field and to work for the biggest companies in the world (Microsoft and Electrolux, for example) and top management from the industries, with a group of highly talented students from very diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Besides its great reputation in the academic field, SSE is also very much known for its dynamic student activities. During my two years at SSE, I had the chance of participat¬ing in the biggest Swedish student project with an international focus – Project China – and worked as China Day Manager, in charge of promoting the understanding of Chinese culture and business environment among Swedish students. And thanks to this experience, I got in touch with Volvo Cars Corporation, one of the project sponsors and my current employer.
Christian Jonsson, Sweden
BSc in Mechatronics and in parallel during my studies I acquired in MSc in Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
The MSc in General Management provided me with skills, knowledge, a network and the right mindset to be able to take on challenging tasks and succeed.
Knowing that you can provide value right away after graduation and how to do it unlocks opportunities that weren’t there before. I would recommend the MSc in General Management to anyone who wishes to fulfill their true potential.
Today I work with challenging and interesting tasks on a day to day basis. Whether it’s Marketing & Sales, Business Development or Engineering related tasks I always enjoy the fast paced dynamic environment at the global multinational enterprise SAAB Group.
Mathias Björkman, Sweden
BA in International Relations from American University, Washington D.C.
The MSc in General Management program provided an excellent platform for developing practi¬cal problem solving skills, refining professional skills such as presentation techniques, and networking with interesting companies.
I have found that these valuable takeaways from the program have enabled me to truly speak the language of business and have quickly made me comfortable in my current role.
Now I work as a Strategy Analyst in the Corporate Strategy and Business Development unit at Electrolux AB, assisting in driving the annual strategy process, doing everything from macroenvironment analysis to consolidating a Group Strategy for the AB Board.
General Management students 2009-2011
Oscar Lekander, Sweden
I firmly believe that investing in this program will provide me with the best tools to further my career goals. The excellent international reputation that the Stockholm School of Economics has to offer, coupled with the opportunity to learn with some of the brightest students and faculty in the business world today, drives my ambitions to become a dynamic part of the first class ever of this program. I believe that while I have a lot to offer, I also have tenfold to gain as part of the student body.
The network of students, faculty and business partners is incredible and I have already made professional contacts that are helping me with everything from looking over my CV to finding contacts inside companies that I want to intern/work with.
All students here make an effort to meet new people and there is something fun to do every day; the hardest part is to pick what of them you have time to do. The Student Association also makes it easy, not only because they are organizing exciting events every week, but also because of the variety of services they provide.
Mary Juusela
To me, the Stockholm School of Economics is synonymous with the future. If you're like me, and have the ambition to develop, get inspired and enriched to become a future leader, this is the School to aim at.
In my opinion, being a student at SSE's MSc in General Management program is priceless. Getting the opportunity to develop my previous bachelor‘s degree in journalism with management and business is very exciting and I find that every day is a challenge where I build my future. There is no other place where a would rather be than here!
The Stockholm School of Economics offers a rich student life for those who are interested. Here, you can find everything you wish for; numerous committees and clubs, engaged students and loads of commitment and opportunities to network and make important contacts for the future.
Jake Richards
When I discovered the new M.Sc. in General Management program, I was surprised at how tailor made it was to my background. Coming from a Mechatronics Engineering double degree combined with three years Project Management, I felt this course would both complement my work experience as well as open doors to future Engineering Management positions. SSE is a top-10 European business school and has a legacy of top-class education.
The 'live' business-case modules were a huge feature of what initially appealed to me about the course, and now we've completed the first module - it was a great experience. After a 4-part theory preface we presented strategy to senior management of a core Swedish company. I really enjoyed the integration of theories and models across subjects on a live case, so soon after covering them.
The School, and the Student Association, has been very active in facilitating an active student life. There's regular Masters level social events with inspiring guest speakers from leading business and government positions, and a Student Association so busy that it needs to publish a weekly schedule to keep everyone up to date with what's going on.