MSM Corporate Week 2026: Connecting students with industry, alumni and future career opportunities

During the annual MSM Corporate Week, Master in Management, Full-time MBA and Global Online MBA students had the opportunity to take the next step in their career development journey. Through a diverse programme of company presentations, interactive workshops, and alumni sessions, students gained valuable insights into different industries, expanded their professional network, and reflected on their future career paths.

As part of the Career and Personal Development Track (CPDT), Corporate Week bridges the gap between academic learning and the professional world. Students explored different organisational cultures, learned directly from industry professionals, and had the chance to put their networking and personal branding skills into practice.

Throughout the week, students gained first-hand industry insights through company presentations by Medtronic, CGI, DHL, Puratos, UPS, Expat Centre, Boston Scientific, Maprima, Phenospex, Catella, Abbott and Rabobank. In addition, interactive workshops on Personal Branding, improvisation skills, and job search strategies supported students in strengthening their professional profile. The week concluded with inspiring alumni presentations and a networking event, providing students with the opportunity to connect, exchange experiences and further expand their professional network.

For Master in Management student Parmiss Ghahremani Qajar, Corporate Week was both challenging and highly rewarding. “It was really valuable to push and test ourselves in a networking environment and apply the knowledge we gained from the Personal Development Portfolio in a real setting,” she explains. “It helped me think more outside the box, look beyond the industries we usually limit ourselves to, and truly understand different work cultures firsthand.”

Parmiss especially valued the opportunity to discover different sectors and learn from the experiences of MSM alumni. “I found Phenospex particularly insightful in terms of sustainability-related work and how they operate differently from larger companies. Medtronic was also fascinating to explore through two alumni, and learning how flexible career growth and transitions can be encouraged made me consider an industry I had never previously seen myself working in. It was also interesting in some cases to compare competing companies within the same sector, such as DHL and UPS”

In addition to company insights, the workshops helped students further develop essential career skills. “The personal branding workshop was a helpful starting point for reflecting on the value we bring to companies and our personal strengths, helping us mentally prepare ourselves for the professional world,” says Parmiss

Learning from the experiences of MSM alumni
A key element of Corporate Week is the involvement of MSM alumni, who return to share their career journeys, lessons learned, and advice with current students. This year, Master in Management alumna Ksenia Avakyan joined Corporate Week to give a company presentation of Medtronic, the company she currently works for.

For Ksenia, returning to MSM and connecting with current students was a valuable experience. “It was great to reconnect with the university and engage with students who were genuinely interested in learning about industry perspectives and career opportunities,” she shares. “The discussions were interactive, and the students asked thoughtful questions throughout the session.”

She was particularly impressed by the students’ motivation and curiosity. “The students came across as motivated, well-prepared, and eager to learn. They showed a genuine interest in understanding how their academic knowledge can be applied in a professional environment.”

According to Ksenia, initiatives like Corporate Week play an important role in connecting students and organisations. “Corporate Week provides an excellent platform for students and companies to learn from one another. It helps students gain practical insights into different industries while giving companies the opportunity to connect with future talent and share real-world experiences.”

Preparing for the next career step
Parmiss has already started applying what she learned. “I have started building connections with alumni and asking them for advice, and I plan to stay in touch with them. I am also looking further into some of the companies I learned about during the week and reaching out to explore potential opportunities.”

Her advice for future students is to fully embrace the experience: “Put yourself out there, prepare well so you can ask smart questions, and remain open to industries beyond the ones you initially consider. Try to stay connected and reach out to people shortly after meeting them, as you never know what doors they could open.”

Ksenia shares a similar message: “Make the most of the opportunity by asking questions, engaging in conversations, and exploring a variety of companies and career paths. The more proactive you are, the more valuable the experience will be in helping shape your future career decisions.”

By bringing together students, alumni and companies, the MSM Corporate Week continues to support students in discovering their strengths, expanding their professional networks, and preparing for their future careers.

The employer perspective
Corporate Week also provides participating companies with the opportunity to connect with talented students, introduce their organisation, and engage with future professionals. DHL Finance Services has been a returning participant in Corporate Week for several years.

According to Bob Stijnen of DHL Finance Services, Corporate Week continues to be a valuable platform for both students and employers. “Every year, DHL, and specifically DHL Finance Services, looks forward to joining Corporate Week at MSM. It gives us a great platform to showcase who we are and what we do, while connecting directly with students.”

Bob is consistently impressed by the students he meets during the event. “What stands out most each time is the quality of the students we meet: genuinely curious, engaged, and not afraid to ask strong, thoughtful questions that go well beyond the surface. The open and multicultural atmosphere at MSM also resonates with us, as it closely mirrors our own company culture at DHL.”

He believes initiatives like Corporate Week are invaluable in creating meaningful connections between students and organisations. “Initiatives like Corporate Week are invaluable in bridging the gap between students and companies, opening doors to opportunities that students might not even know exist. Looking back at past editions, we are proud to say that several MSM alumni are now working at DHL or completing internships with us, a testament to the real impact these connections can have.

Bob encourages students to take initiative when exploring career opportunities. “Be proactive rather than reactive. If you spot an interesting opportunity, don't wait—reach out to the company directly. That extra step can make all the difference in creating visibility for yourself and standing out.”

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