The Bachelor’s program “Digital Product Management” perfectly combines foundational knowledge and specialized courses: Interview with student Andrey Korolkov
On Admission
— Tell us a little about yourself.
— I moved from Samara. I initially enrolled at a different university, but after six months I decided to transfer specifically to HSE. I found a way to do it, and I had no doubts about my choice of university. During my first two years at HSE, I studied in a program focused on the fundamental sciences, and later I transferred to Digital Product Management, starting from the first year.
— What was important to you when choosing a university?
— At first, I was looking for universities close to home because I was working and wanted to attend classes in the evenings. But when I decided to transfer to HSE, my priorities changed. I realized I needed full-fledged education and an inspiring atmosphere, not just studies “for the sake of it.” I was drawn to HSE by its vibrant extracurricular life and the people I could work on projects with. I didn’t consider any other options after that.
— Why do you think choosing the HSE Graduate School of Business was the right decision?
— I really like the course selection we have. One especially pleasant surprise was meeting Danil Fyodorov, our micro- and macroeconomics instructor. I had first heard him give a lecture at the “Volga-Fest” in Samara back in 2019, and I was impressed by how engagingly he explained everyday processes through economics. Now, I no longer need to go to conferences to meet professionals — they are my classmates, and we talk every day.
— What led you to choose your academic program?
— Initially, I wanted to become a product manager, but I thought management could only be learned through practice, while university should provide fundamental economics. Over time, I realized I was losing focus and going too deep into economics, which didn’t align with my career goals. I wanted to grow specifically in digital product management. The Digital Product Management program perfectly combines foundational knowledge with specialized courses, without unnecessary distractions.
On Studying at the Graduate School of Business
— Which subjects or courses have you enjoyed the most, and why?
— Management. We analyze cases based on strategies of well-known companies and get valuable feedback from instructors. That’s often missing in case competitions, where it's not always clear what skills need improvement.
— What useful skills have you acquired during your studies?
— Electives and courses in English have significantly improved my English. I’m now ready to study professional materials in the original, which are far more abundant than in Russian, especially since many terms are used in English anyway.
In our programming classes, we had a workshop on developing Telegram bots. Right now, my classmates and I are working on our own project to test a business idea in practice.
Analytical skills developed through management help me dive deeper into tasks and projects, anticipate risks early, and spot new opportunities. In everyday life, I often think about what new features could be added to the digital services I use.
On Opportunities at HSE GSB
— What HSE opportunities have you taken advantage of?
— I participated in a summer school on entrepreneurship where I defended a project at Yandex’s office. It became a valuable case in my portfolio and helped me stand out in interviews. At HSE GSB, it’s easy to organize your own events. For example, I started a film club where my classmates and I watch films in English, develop our language skills, and I gain leadership experience by managing the project.
Since I live alone, I often come to HSE to work on projects and eat at the cafeteria — the food is tasty, affordable, and filling. There are so many talented students here, which makes it easy to form teams for case competitions and build a strong portfolio.
— Which minor did you choose during your studies?
— My first minor was the Business Trackers School. At the time, I was studying in a fundamental program and needed management knowledge. The minor gave me lots of practical experience. We developed a mobile app for school students — an interactive textbook — and later presented it at the summer school at Yandex’s office. That project made me realize I wanted to study product management tools more deeply.
Now, in the Digital Product Management program, I chose the EdTech Researcher minor. I want to understand research tools that help identify real user problems. The first part of the minor is focused on analytics, and in the second part we’ll be launching a new product in practice. I’ll start in fall 2025 and I’m already looking forward to the intensive program.
On Extracurricular Activities
— Which extracurricular activities or clubs at HSE stood out to you?
— In addition to my film club, I attend lectures from the startup club, business club, and Product Hub. They regularly invite interesting speakers from the industry, which keeps me inspired.
— What do you do outside of school? Do you have enough time for it?
— I’m so inspired by my field that I spend nearly all my free time on it. I often watch talks by product managers while eating or listen to the Make Sense podcast on the go.
On Work Experience
— Have you had any internship experience with partner companies?
— I interned at Alfa-Bank, a partner company, thanks to winning a case competition. I went through an accelerated selection process and was immediately invited to interview with a manager. I worked there as a business analyst for six months. The experience helped me add real cases and skills to my resume, which I then used to move forward in my career.
— What knowledge from HSE has helped you in your professional life?
— I currently work as a business analyst in a publishing holding. HSE taught me how to manage workload and time effectively. I’ve learned that what matters is deep analysis and creative problem-solving — not just ticking boxes or completing tasks for the sake of it.
On Future Plans and Advice for Prospective Students
— How do you envision your future career?
— My dream is to make it into Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list as a young and talented manager. To achieve that, I plan to launch my own products with friends and classmates. I used to consider a master’s in digital product management, but since I’m already studying it in-depth during my bachelor’s, I’ve put that idea on hold. It’ll be hard to part with HSE when the time comes.
— What advice would you give to applicants considering your program at HSE GSB?
— I’d advise applicants not to fear making mistakes and to take full advantage of every opportunity. The main thing is to take action, try new things, and not be afraid of competition — it’s what drives you forward. Attend HSE’s open events to get a feel for the university. Watch videos from HSE’s YouTube channels during lunch — the topics they cover might just spark your curiosity.