Valentina Vidal

Tell us about your degree - why did you choose it? What elements of the degree inspired you to study it?
Cultural diversity has always intrigued me, especially in the realm of business. It is this curiosity that encouraged me to study abroad and choose to study an International Business degree. What made the course at Leeds stand out against those from other universities were the specialised modules tackling the unique challenges faced by multinational firms (eg Cross-Cultural Management, Transnational Corporations in the World Economy, International Strategic Management etc). The opportunity to get a strong foundation in business management knowledge paired with a specialised focus on the marketing function enabled me to explore a personal area of interest without losing awareness of the wider and interconnected world of business. 

What was the best part of your studies here? What did you enjoy the most about your course?
Getting to meet like-minded people was a major highlight of my time at Leeds. Being able to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with varying interests, yet all with the same desire to learn and ambition to grow, was a truly nurturing experience to expand my mindset and challenge my way of thinking. When it comes to my course, a personal highlight was the overlap between theory and reality, which we explored by examining recent business case studies to identify agreements and challenges to academic literature. 

How did your experiences at Leeds University Business School help you to advance your career?
By taking part in multiple initiatives sponsored by the Business School I developed a series of technical and interpersonal skills. An example is the optional Excel training course and the opportunity to sit a Microsoft-recognised certification for Intermediate-level Excel. Participating in these not only helped me develop my skills but also gain a certificate to evidence my skill to employers.  

When it comes to ‘soft skills’, the Business School offered countless student leadership positions (eg Course Representative) to practice public speaking and networking in a real yet safe and low-risk environment. 

How has your career progressed since leaving the Business School? Have there been any notable highlights?
My career has got off to a great start since leaving the Business School in 2023. Having established valuable connections with mentors from within and outside the University, I had access to guidance that empowered me to be ambitious and secure a job at a multinational company. Securing a job (and visa sponsorship) six months prior to graduation was a notable achievement and a great starting point for my professional development in the UK. 

What are your ambitions for the future?
My ambition is to continuously grow and learn as much as possible! Being interested in the world of technology from a business perspective, I am aware of the flexibility and curiosity required to keep up with such a dynamic and fast-paced environment. I am excited to connect with diverse people and see where learning takes me, be it a different country or a role I had never envisioned myself in. 

What advice would you give to anyone looking to work in a similar role or industry to you?
Be genuine, especially when connecting with people. Everyone has a story to tell if you are willing to listen. Networking and connections are easier and more useful when you present yourself as you truly are and show your intentions transparently. 

Embrace failure; take the initiative to try new things out on your own and if you don’t succeed, don’t hesitate to ask for help. 

Be grateful for change. There will be ‘crunch’ times with high workloads and time-pressure, so use this time to showcase your dedication and skill. There will also be slower periods where you will have more opportunities to explore personal interests/ pursue training, so make the most of this time as well (rest is needed for sustainable growth!). 

How was the transition to living and studying in a different country? Did the university offer support or services that you found helpful? Can you offer any advice?
Becoming comfortable in a country that isn’t your own takes time, and looking back, it is an amazing way to get to know yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone. My advice would be to be kind to yourself; on days where you feel homesick reach out to loved ones, or do activities that make you feel at home (watching a movie, eating a comfort meal, etc). From personal experience the best way to integrate into a culture is to befriend local people, and an easy way to do so is via common interests (societies, volunteering, sport). Once you befriend one person the hardest part is done, as you are now exposed to their wider network and community. 

What advice would you give to students to help them get the most out of their time in Leeds?
Time at university is usually very unstructured and flexible compared to high school or full-time working, so take advantage of that! Enjoy being able to live every day differently and having free time during the day which you probably will never have again. From my personal perspective, doing some form of exercise, engaging in a hobby, and meeting up with friends are important elements to a healthy and happy lifestyle. Find habits which tap into each of those elements as these will keep you going when the academic load gets tough.