“There Are Many Student Clubs at HSE” — Interview with Vagab Abdulgalimov, BA in Marketing and Market Analytics

Vagab Abdulgalimov is a fourth-year student in the Marketing and Market Analytics bachelor’s program at the HSE Graduate School of Business. In this interview, he explains how studying at the HSE Graduate School of Business helped him develop analytical thinking, time-management skills and the ability to multitask. These skills were especially useful when he started combining work with his studies. He also shares his impressions of student organizations, academic mobility opportunities and his professional experience.

About admission

— Tell us about yourself.

— Hi everyone. My name is Vagab. I’m a fourth-year student in the Marketing and Market Analytics program. I’m graduating from the HSE GSB this year and honestly, I already know I’m going to miss it.

— What was important for you when choosing a university?

— The university’s reputation and its alumni in the professional community were very important to me. While researching universities and degree programs, I also looked at different rankings—both national and international. Besides HSE, I also considered MGIMO and its "International Economic Relations" program.

— Why do you think you made the right choice by selecting the HSE Graduate School of Business?

— First of all, I’m very grateful for the community I studied in and the friends I made during those years. The academic experience also confirmed that I made the right decision. We have highly qualified professors, modern teaching methods, and a lot of practical project work. The campus infrastructure is also amazing.

— What programs did you consider when applying?

— In addition to the MGIMO program I mentioned and my current program Marketing and Market Analytics, I also considered two other programs at our faculty: Business Administration and Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics. In the end, I chose marketing. It seemed like the best program for building a strong foundation in how markets work and how business processes function in large companies. Time has shown that I made the right choice.

Studying at the HSE Graduate School of Business

— Which subjects and courses did you enjoy the most and why?

— Looking back, almost every course had something valuable to offer. Two courses were especially useful: Digital Marketing and Marketing Research. They gave me a lot of practical knowledge that I now use in my work and further studies. I’d also like to highlight Marketing Planning. During my second year, I enjoyed the course project so much (marketing planning) that the following year I decided to assist the professor and help develop an improved version of the course. That was an incredible experience.

— What useful skills did you gain during your studies?

— The most important ones are productivity, time management, and multitasking. When several deadlines overlap and the exam period is only a week away, you naturally develop these skills. Later on, they help you handle stressful periods much more easily. These skills also helped me when I started working. Combining work with studying at HSE turned out to be manageable, as long as you plan your time well and make sure to leave some time for rest.

— How intense would you say the workload is in your program?

— I would describe it as moderately intensive, with some fluctuations. You can usually find time for work, sports, or other activities. At the beginning and middle of the academic module there’s more free time. As the exam period approaches, things naturally get busier.

Opportunities at the HSE Graduate School of Business

— What opportunities at GSB and HSE have you been able to take part in?

— First, I completed training at the HSE Military Training Center and attended the summer training camp after my third year. As I mentioned earlier, there are many student clubs at HSE. I often attended events organized by the case club during my second and third years. At the beginning of my second year, I became interested in case competitions. Within a year, my team participated in many events and even won several competitions. The case club played a big role in that. They organized case battles and invited guest speakers from the consulting industry.

— Did you participate in international academic mobility programs?

— Yes, during the first semester of my fourth year, I studied at Koç University in Istanbul. I absolutely loved the experience. It was probably the most memorable period of my entire university life. If you’re interested, you can read more about this exchange in my review on the HSE GSB International Office website.

— Which minor did you choose during your studies?

— I've chosen Applied Programming. Given the analytical nature of our field,, I think this minor is extremely useful for professional development. We studied several programming languages and learned how to apply them in practical situations.

Extracurricular Activities

— Which activities or clubs at HSE do you remember the most?

— Since my third year, I’ve been part of the HSE GSB Ambassador Program, where I help organize various events. For the past two years, I’ve participated in organizing the university open day, where I talk to prospective students and their families about our faculty.

— Is it possible to balance academics and extracurricular activities?

— Yes, if you manage your time well, you can do almost everything. In my third year, I managed to study, complete an internship at a marketing agency and play volleyball three times a week. And I still had time left to relax and enjoy life.

Work Experience

— Did you work anywhere during your studies?

— Yes, I had three internships/work experiences. After my second year, I completed a six-week internship in the analytics department of a logistics company. During my third year, I interned at a marketing agency. Then, in the second semester of my fourth year, I completed an internship at a restaurant chain, which became the basis for my thesis. At every job, the analytical mindset I developed at the HSE GSB was extremely useful.

Future Plans and Advice for Applicants to the HSE Graduate School of Business

— How do you see your future professional development?

— I plan to pursue a master’s degree, but not immediately after graduating. First, I want to work and gain more experience. That will help me understand which area of marketing or possibly another field I want to specialize in. Later, based on that experience and professional needs, I’ll choose a master’s program.

— What advice would you give to applicants to the HSE Graduate School of Business who want to join your program?

— First of all, take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. There will be many opportunities at HSE. Try as many different activities as possible. That’s the best way to understand what truly interests you. Another piece of advice: value your time and manage it wisely. And of course, attend Open Day events. It’s a great way to get to know the university and meet the people who make it such a vibrant place.

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Date

February 19

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HSE Graduate School of Business, Undergraduate Admissions