Dimiana Farag

“The programme has forced me to step outside of my comfort zone of expertise and see things through a new lens, putting myself in the shoes of my cohort in order to learn from their experiences, as well as my own. This has really resonated with me and changed my mindset.”

Social impact to international impact

Before LBS, my career was rooted in nonprofit organisations. What I really wanted was to gain an oversight of other industries through a social impact lens, whilst also starting a journey of self-discovery. Therefore, it was essential that I was exposed to a diverse group of business leaders. I knew that LBS was a truly global school, filled with individuals spanning a wide range of sectors, who I could connect with and learn from. The School has an international reach, with a network across the world. The thought of being on any continent with a community I’m able to tap into, was a huge draw. Also, being located in London - a central financial sector - was key for me, along with the opportunity to learn from faculty who are prestigious and knowledgeable in the finance field.

Where an open mind opens doors

The programme has already taught me the importance of staying flexible and keeping an open mind. As much as I think I might want to take my career in a certain direction at the moment, I could leave with a completely different plan. I'm eager to be surprised and look forward to forming a clearer vision of what my next steps are. Whether that’s moving towards a position in the investment industry, or growing my own business, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens and formulating a plan for my future.

Diversity makes a difference

In my class I’m surrounded by a globally diverse group of people from a range of industries. Regardless of where they are from or where they’ve worked, everyone has their own inspiring stories. The programme has forced me to step outside of my comfort zone of expertise and see things through a new lens, putting myself in the shoes of my cohort in order to learn from their experiences, as well as my own. This has really resonated with me and changed my mindset.

A proactive approach

I have attended a number of the alumni gatherings, and I’m amazed at how proactive the alumni are. It’s been eye-opening, seeing how open and engaged the community really is. People will actively reach out to you, and those I’ve connected with have been very welcoming. I acknowledge that their workload must be incredibly high, so it’s great to see how accommodating they are. Many have been very eager to meet, which I really appreciate and is something I haven’t seen as much of in other schools. I am grateful to have been designated as a Sloan Scholar. With this honor I look forward to continuing my proactive approach to connect with past, current, and future cohorts; and continuing to inspire others with impactful work, while reflecting the high calibre of the LBS community.

Adapt to achieve

If I could give advice to a prospective student, I would echo the advice I’ve received from other alumni. Keep an open mind and be eager to explore, whether that’s yourself, the perspectives and experiences of your classmates, or the opportunities on offer. Also, don't be discouraged if things get uncomfortable. Self-assessment and reflection is a huge part of not just the programme, but the whole LBS experience. You’re going to evaluate yourself personally and emotionally, to help piece together how you really are professionally. However, from this you will gain a better picture of yourself, helping you understand your strengths, weaknesses and ambitions. LBS – and particularly the LBS Sloan - is not a typical academic environment where lectures are the be-all-end-all, it’s more about self-discovery, and learning from the experiences of those around you. Be open and welcome different strategies, mindsets, ways of thinking and people.