"I feel a deep affinity for my University": the story of Rimma Valeeva, a student from St Petersburg University who changed her field of study

Why did you decide to enter St Petersburg University after school?

Back in the ninth grade, I set a goal for myself: I wanted to study psychology at St Petersburg University. I chose to major in psychology because I had solid foundation in biology, I like people, and I want to understand them. Of course, I was aware of entrance exams and exam scores, but I was well-prepared. So, entering the University after school was not the most challenging task in my life.

What were the main skills that you obtained while studying psychology?

The most important thing for me was that I understood what a skill is and how to master it. The Faculty of Psychology provides a very strong education in humanities and social sciences. Psychology students develop an understanding of what science and scientific method are, how an experiment is done and so on. This is cross-disciplinary knowledge that is required in every field, marketing included. In my third year, I decided to focus on organisational psychology: employee motivation and personnel development. I decided to gain an understanding of what a company is in terms of human resources. The Department of Ergonomics and Engineering Psychology is one of the strongest at the faculty, and now I have a strong foundation for a master’s programme.

You enrolled in the Master in Management programme at the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. What was the rationale behind your decision to radically change your field of study?

I always try to make conscious and informed decisions in life. I set goals and work towards them. Once I chose organisational psychology, my further educational path became clear to me and the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University lodged itself in my mind! I decided to go into management, because I felt that I have managerial skills myself. This manifested itself during educational business games while I was still a bachelor’s student. I became my class leader, and my teachers advised that I should seriously consider a career in management. Moreover, I became interested in studying teams and teamwork as phenomena. In my graduation project, I studied team processes: how personality traits affect the team effectiveness. I felt I would definitely want my work to be linked with this research topic, but at that time I was lacking in experience and some relevant skills. I had the theoretical knowledge from textbooks, but very little practice.

Could you tell us what areas of knowledge you had to expand to be admitted to the MiM programme at the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University?

Few non-specialists realise that psychology is more than just conversations in a psychologist’s office. Psychology as a science is unique because it seeks to reflect reality beyond statistical datasets. Academic programmes in psychology offered by St Petersburg University are research-oriented, with focus on research methodology. Moreover, throughout the studies, psychology students are continuously required to develop their mathematical skills and knowledge. In my first-year research paper, I studied the effectiveness of social media marketing tools: how the consumer’s attention is allocated in the digital environment. My research would have been impossible without mathematics. Of course, my existing knowledge of mathematics was insufficient for graduate studies. I knew I would have to advance my math skills and I would not be able to do it on my own. So, I found a self-study group and for four months, twice a week, we solved maths problems. I think, in my case, it was social motivation that helped me most – to be in the flow, not to lag behind, to compete for the best score, and so on. By and large, I did pretty well on the GMAT exam and erroneously assumed that I was ready for a master’s programme.

Did you have to advance your English as well?

English was the easiest part. For me, English-language instruction was one of the decisive factors in choosing the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. English is my strong asset. I can also speak French well. By the way, I gained intensive conversational practice in the University’s hall of residence – I attended English Speaking Club where students meet to communicate in English. The thing is, when you prepare for the GMAT exam, it is very important that you memorise new words in English, and not in Russian. If in exam preparation you have to translate conditions of the problems, you are moving in the wrong direction.

Was it important for you to continue your education at St Petersburg University?

I was happy to learn that one of the best business schools in Eastern Europe is part of my University. I felt lucky to discover new opportunities for myself in a system that I had known well. I feel a deep affinity towards St Petersburg University. In these difficult times for the University and the entire education system, I want to continue to be part of its life as a master’s student of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University.

You entered the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University one year after earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Why did you decide to take a gap year?

You need to have at least minimal practical experience to start a master’s course. As for me, I was still a child. I did not know life and was very envious of the guys who were able to work while studying in the bachelor’s programme. I would not have been able to combine work and study – I need to focus on my main priorities. So, I gave myself a year to gain work experience and to prepare for admission to a master’s programme at the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. I believe it was the best decision in my life. At work, I acquired the fundamentals of practice and theory. Prior to that I thought I knew how things worked, but in reality everything was different. I thought: since I know how, I can do it. Well, my illusions were shattered; and that was painful, indeed. I had to overcome myself and quickly adapt to a challenging reality. Everything had to be learned anew, but this experience fell on fertile ground of knowledge and skills learned at the university. Is there a school that will provide you with knowledge similar to one’s first-hand experience? As a matter of fact, I feel that I have found such a practice-oriented learning mode at the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University.

What area did you work in?

My friends and I opened our own business in the media. Indeed, we had to do everything ourselves, including motivating ourselves and each other. But our efforts soon paid off.

We found ourselves in a very difficult situation on the labour market. Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, it has not been easy to keep a job, let alone to find a good position. It is a difficult task to find a job with just a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Obtaining a job where your knowledge can be applied and implemented in practice is a real challenge. It is like hunger games. If you want a quick career, you are most likely to be disappointed and disillusioned. Employment opportunities rarely meet your expectations. Your goals fall to pieces, stealing your motivation to study psychology further.

I can witness that my fellow students encountered the same dilemma. Many of them decided to change their field of study. When you find yourself left on the sidelines, you grow up quickly and take the matters of employment in your own hands. I think those who decide to open their own business will not regret it.

Could you tell us about your first semester in the MiM programme?

Quite as I expected, studying for my master’s degree proved to be the most difficult in my life. In the middle of the first semester, I had to reconsider my learning strategy and not to beat myself up over less than excellent academic performance. I had to re-prioritise my focus. When you begin your studies, your motivation runs ahead of you, you may overestimate your productivity and eventually burn out. This is especially dangerous in the middle of the course of training, when some assessment checkpoints are set up. If you miss them, you will not be able to catch up. The pace of modern life is fast and furious. You may have no time for filling gaps in your knowledge later – it is now or never.

Did you have enough time and energy to participate in extracurricular activities?

I participated in GSOM Family and CEMS Club events, applied for a joint CEMS degree and won a competition for a student exchange programme in Paris. Also, my classmates and I were able to take part in the BCG Idea Challenge. Our team brought together a psychologist, an economist, a techie and an international relations specialist. Working together to come up with a worthy idea was an inspiring experience! There are many interesting events – if you really want it, you will find time for it.

Did you manage to apply your knowledge of psychology to the MiM programme?

While working on a human resource management project, I was asked to use the custom development model. I studied this model as a second year psychology student; so, you can imagine my surprise! Also, when I was working on the Employer Needs assessment, I really enjoyed combining my knowledge of marketing and human resources. I turned it into a complete case study. As the team leader, I developed the project strategy and literally juggled between my classmates’ motivation and skills. Our team included students from Africa, Spain and Russia. Coordinating and integrating these completely different mindsets turned out to be a big test for me. Some people required an authoritarian leadership style, while others needed more freedom. I had to remember everything I had been taught about the impact of cross-cultural differences on leadership styles.

Could you tell us about your career plans for the future?

I have many plans as I try not to fall into the void. I intend to go into product development with a team. I want to start implementing my managerial competence and English language skills as soon as possible. Also, I would like to participate in student mobility and CEMS programmes. I chose two different countries for two different exchange programmes – in France and in China (Hong Kong). I hope to fix my cross-cultural ‘bug’, so that I could work in an international company as a full-fledged manager who does not get disheartened by cross-cultural miscommunication. I am all for the difference of views and the freedom of creativity and creative imagination. It is essential for innovation in any business. In my future career, I intend to continue promoting these values. I share these values of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. I think I will be able to unite people from GSOM Family around me to move forward together, because we are cool. The Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University has, indeed, its own special identity and culture and I am willing to support this school in every way I can to express my gratitude and appreciation.