Name: Daniel Curl
Programme: MSc in International Management
Date Started: 2004

Where is your home town and what is it like?
I was born in Northampton, but having lived in a small village in South Northants all my life, I’m very much a country lad at heart. Northampton is a large market town once famous for the manufacture of footwear and while there are the same high-street stores and recreational facilities as any UK town, its real selling point is its location: slap bang in the heart of the country. The M1 links it directly to London and Birmingham (the UK’s second largest city) – both offering a wealth of things to do. And for those eager to uncover some of the UK’s history, there are the Cotswolds, Warwick Castle, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon (the home of Shakespeare) right on your doorstep.

What did you do before your Masters?
A BSc in German with European Studies at the University of Surrey, Guildford.

What are the best things about the MSc course?
Generally I think the applied nature of the course is what really sells it; the coursework in particular is geared towards tangible business situations. Also, the way the modules complement each other in semester two really allows you to use your knowledge across modules. Personally I have found Operations, Cross-cultural Management, and Work Psychology (a Semester Two option) fascinating modules to study.

Why did you decide to pursue a business degree?
It was very much a case of wanting to ‘add more strings to my bow’. The UK job market is increasingly competitive for graduates and I wanted to make myself more employable. Although I graduated with a good undergraduate degree, I felt that having a business-related degree would make me more attractive to employers.

What made you choose Loughborough University?
The fact that I needed no previous business experience to apply was a draw – although the honest and frank approach of the university as regards the course impressed me. I remember Paul Dobson (then the Director of Postgraduate Programmes) saying at the Open Day: “Do have a look at what other Universities offer by way of similar courses… I can say that because I’m confident you’ll apply to Loughborough.” - And that’s exactly what I did.

What are the best things about the Midlands?
The Midlands’ geographical location is perfect for anyone wanting to do more than just study as everything’s on your doorstep. Whether you want to a night out on the tiles, on a weekend in the country soaking up Britain’s heritage – you can do it here.

What are your plans when you finish?
Ideally I would like to find employment with an international organisation based in London or the South East of England. Failing that I shall probably take myself travelling and see a bit of the world - maybe even do some charity work in Africa.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to students thinking about doing the course next year?
Be prepared to work hard literally from day one, and to learn from those around you. You will need to be dedicated, focused and, due to the amount of (multicultural) group work, willing to accommodate others whose work styles will doubtless clash with your own. If you’re open to this, you’ll learn a lot about yourself, which will stand you in good stead for your future career.