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A passion for sustainability and a desire for academic excellence fuelled Lauren McKeehan’s journey from the coastal town of Laguna Beach, California to Milan, the economic capital of Italy. “Europe was much more progressive in its policies and actions related to environmental protection and sustainability,” she shares. “Plus, Politecnico di Milano is one of the best universities in the world to study business”.
She’s not wrong. Its business school, POLIMI Graduate School of Management proudly stands among the elite “<1%” of schools accredited by the three most important accreditation organisations: AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS and is ranked 21st worldwide for environmental, social and governance impact by the Financial Times. It also has over 40 years of experience in cultivating purpose-driven leaders equipped to tackle real-world challenges, keeping true to its mission to nurture innovators to shape a better future for all.
“Universities and Business Schools can play a strong role as an agent of change. I think that all Institutions should become aware of the difference they can make, training managers capable of picking up the challenge of shaping a better future for all,” says Federico Frattini, Dean.
But what truly sets POLIMI GSoM apart is its emphasis on industry relevance. This school believes that becoming a leader is a journey that must be forged by practical experiences, personalised career development and strong connections to the business world. So it boasts all three, and more — unlocked through its extensive, yet diverse lineup of specialising master’s programmes.
There are 40 in total, from Cybersecurity Management and Business Analytics and Data Science to Supply Chain Management and Luxury Management and Customer Experience. Such breadth ensures POLIMI GSoM can produce experts for all sectors and functions within the realm of management.
For aspiring changemakers, the school offers qualifications in Entrepreneurship and Design for Sustainability, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as McKeehan’s personal choice, Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy.
Source: POLIMI Graduate School of Management
So far, McKeehan’s journey has been nothing short of enriching. Courses like “Sustainability Megatrends,” offer a global perspective on sustainability challenges and solutions while providing opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration to learn from the perspectives of her peers and helped her hone her leadership and teamwork skills.
“This program has undoubtedly given me a broad perspective on all the business aspects that sustainability intersects,” she says. “As the program continues, I will dive deeper into circular economy topics and develop my master’s thesis, which will be more aligned to my future career interests.”
McKeehan is confident she’ll ace her final project, especially since her time POLIMI GSoM revolved mostly around applying knowledge. For example, she worked with industry partners like a global top player company operating in the beauty and cosmetics industry on marketing campaigns that provided invaluable insights into the practical aspects of doing business that’s good for the people and the planet. “It was valuable to receive feedback from the executives at this company about what they have seen work well in the market and what barriers they had found related to our proposed ideas,” she says.
Thanks to this exposure, McKeehan envisions a future where she can use her expertise in circularity and renewable energy to drive change. After graduation, she aims to secure a role in the sustainability department of an energy or agriculture company in Italy. She believes she’s in the perfect place to prepare for this transition.
Educators at POLIMI GSoM double as practising professionals with plenty of relevant insights to share within classrooms. Source: POLIMI Graduate School of Management.
“POLIMI GSoM is a hub for sustainability thanks to the professors and the great cohort that they assemble,” she shares. “Each lesson has been given by a sustainability expert in their field, for example, whether it’s on supply chains, people management, or performance measurement, each professor has such a rich background in research and real-life experiences dedicating themselves to that specific field.”
Another key feature of POLIMI GSoM’s postgraduate programmes is how involved companies are in programme design and delivery. This ensures curricula are relevant to the evolving needs of the industry and that academic calendars are dotted with guest lectures, industry projects, internships, and networking opportunities throughout the year.
It’s clear the school values the idea of students learning beyond classrooms. Hence, it also encourages engagement in various extracurricular activities, research initiatives, and community outreach programmes.
Whether it’s joining student clubs, organising events or volunteering, students have many opportunities to contribute while fostering a sense of civic responsibility and ethical leadership. “All my colleagues are dedicated to improving the sustainability of current economic practices, and it is so nice to be working with others who want to work towards a common goal,” says McKeehan.
Pair such opportunities for interaction with keen guidance and students have a recipe for success. POLIMI GSoM recognises that every student has unique career aspirations, so it offers a dedicated Career Development Programme that helps students define and optimise career goals through a series of workshops, job interview preparation sessions, presentations with employers, and recruiting events.
So what are you waiting for? To uncover your ultimate pathway to leadership excellence, check out POLIMI GSoM’s full academic portfolio.
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