Ideas for personal statement for Management.

Hello,

I hope to study Management at uni and was wondering what could I potentially include in my personal statement. I know to emphasise super-curriculars such as books I've read but I was wondering as to what work experience I could try and get and how should I speak about management in my statement as I'm a little lost.

Reply 1

Anna-244

Original post by helpmewithschool

Hello,
I hope to study Management at uni and was wondering what could I potentially include in my personal statement. I know to emphasise super-curriculars such as books I've read but I was wondering as to what work experience I could try and get and how should I speak about management in my statement as I'm a little lost.

Hey!

Sorry to hear you're finding it difficult to include things in your personal statement - I've just finished writing mine with a lot of help from my school, and it's defo not easy!

1. Start by Reflecting on Why You’re Interested in Management
Think about what has sparked your interest in Management.

Is it the way businesses are run, the impact of leadership on teams, or perhaps how different companies strategise to stay competitive?

Your opening paragraph should clearly explain what draws you to the subject and what specific aspects of Management excite you. For example, if you've noticed how well-managed teams perform better in projects you've been part of, mention this as part of your personal journey. (It could be anything from a project you did at school or like for me some volunteering I was lucky enough to participate in last year).

2. Super-Curricular Activities
As you mentioned, super-curriculars like reading relevant books are important.
You could explore titles that delve into management theory, business strategies, or leadership skills.

Books like "The Innovator's Dilemma" by Clayton Christensen or "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek can give you insight into leadership and innovation within companies. Make sure to reflect on these readings — don't just list them.

Show how they've deepened your understanding of key Management concepts or influenced your thinking.

3. Work Experience and Practical Exposure
In terms of work experience, try to look for opportunities where you can observe or get involved in management or business settings. This doesn’t have to be directly in a large company—small businesses, start-ups, or even volunteering in leadership roles can offer valuable insights.

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Shadowing a small business owner - literally go in and ask if you can shadow leadership for work experience... best to do it at a place where organisation of work is important like a local legal clinic or an accountant

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Volunteering in an organisation where you can take on leadership roles or manage a project - i'm sure if you get a group of 2/3 friends together and offer your help to a local care home or even your own school they'd love the extra help

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Internships in business environments, even if they are short-term, can give you something concrete to discuss - can be found through sutton trust (only if you're in year 12 though)

4. Show Understanding of Management as a Discipline
Try to demonstrate your understanding of Management not just as a set of skills but as a discipline. This could include mentioning specific areas you're curious about, like operations management, human resources, marketing, or strategic decision-making. Look into current business challenges (like how companies are adapting post-pandemic or managing remote teams) and reflect on how you’d like to study these areas further.

One thing I would do is read the news - lots of interesting stuff around how OpenAI's senior leadership and founders are all leaving OR how Apple and OpenAI partnered up to produce Apple Intelligence or how Microsoft and Meta partnered up for the launch of the new headset... I am generally interested in tech so that's what's on the forefront of my mind... lol