“Most HSE GSB students are full of energy and ambition. Everyone is doing something — studying, working… The main thing is enthusiasm”: an interview with student Alexandra Pavlenko
On Admission
— Tell us a bit about yourself.
— My name is Sasha Pavlenko, I’m from Minsk. I’m 20, almost 21. I’m currently writing my thesis and have recently taken up sports actively. I’m developing my skills in design, especially product design (mobile app interfaces). I also work in design, mainly as a graphic designer. I’m the co-founder of the well-known student organization Product Hub. Another fun fact: I know Chinese and can speak it quite well.
— What was important for you when choosing a university?
— I only considered HSE in Moscow and a local university in Minsk, just in case I didn’t get in. I didn’t have any specific selection criteria — my brother told me about HSE and that one of his acquaintances got in with a scholarship. And my brother never gives bad advice.
— Why do you think you made the right choice by choosing the HSE Graduate School of Business?
— There are so many amazing, active people here. Everyone is doing something — studying, working. Almost everyone I’ve met is passionate about what they do, and it doesn’t even matter what that is. The main thing is enthusiasm. At HSE GSB, students are mostly full of energy and ambition.
— What programmes did you consider before admission?
— Besides Marketing and Market Analytics, I also considered Business Informatics and a programming major at another HSE faculty. These programmes are very different in nature and complexity. Although I’m a creative person, those two were my second and third choices. Still, I’m very happy that I chose marketing — too much math and programming would have killed me!
On Studying at the Graduate School of Business
— Which subjects or courses did you enjoy most, and why?
— I really liked Digital Marketing, Leadership, Team Management, and many others — there were a lot, I can’t remember them all! I also liked Marketing Communications — it was a creative course where we often filmed our own projects.
— What useful skills have you gained during your studies?
— Stress resilience, adaptability, time management, quick learning, fast thinking, confidence, and multitasking. These skills are useful everywhere — in life and at work. In fact, I recently talked in my Telegram channel about the four most important things I’ve learned in four years at university.
— How would you describe the intensity of your academic programme?
— The first year was a bit tough, especially adjusting to the new learning system. But overall, the workload is fine — you get used to it quickly. The only challenge is that project deadlines sometimes overlap, which can be hard. But professors are usually understanding and try not to overload students.
On Opportunities at HSE GSB
— What opportunities at HSE GSB and HSE in general have you used?
— I took part in interesting events, listened to inspiring people, and even tried public speaking myself. I attended lectures by the HSE School of Design and once went to a talk by Artemy Lebedev at Pokrovka. There were so many events I could have joined, but sometimes I was shy or simply didn’t feel like it. Recently, I took part as a speaker at a TED Talk organized by another student group — a friend recommended me, and I shared my story and experiences.
— Which minor did you take during your studies?
— Since I love everything related to Asia, I chose a minor in the History of East Asia taught in English. We studied the history of Japan, China, and Korea from ancient times to the present day. It was really interesting, especially when we got to Japan — that course was taught by a kind and cheerful Japanese professor. The best part was that the minor wasn’t too difficult, and the teachers were very nice.
On Extracurricular Activities
— Which extracurricular activities or clubs at HSE have made the biggest impression on you?
— I’m very active outside the classroom. As the lead media manager and co-founder of our student organization, I’m always the first to arrive at events, helping the team solve problems and deal with unexpected situations. I love talking to students who attend our events — we invite amazing professionals from the product sphere: product managers, designers, and analysts from major IT companies. We’ve hosted speakers from Avito, T-Bank, Ozon, Aviasales, Yandex, and others. It’s truly inspiring and mutually beneficial. Networking with these speakers also helps us learn more about how things work inside these companies.
Another big project was the Product School organized in collaboration with MTS, Avito, and Ozon. The companies provided speakers, we organized lectures and workshops, prepared business cases, and the winners received prizes. One participant even got an internship at MTS afterward!
— What do you do outside your studies?
— I also work, take design courses, and do freelance projects. I manage my time well because freelancing lets me plan my schedule. The key is good time management — as long as tasks are done on time, everything’s fine. And of course, it’s essential to use a task tracker!
On Work Experience
— Have you worked anywhere during your studies?
— Mostly as a designer. But in design, just like in marketing, you need to know how to “sell” — beautifully and effectively, taking into account the client’s needs and desires.
Advice for Future HSE GSB Students
— What advice would you give to applicants to your programme at HSE GSB?
— Don’t be afraid. Communicate, take initiative, and stay curious!