How studying at UCL helped me rethink my career - Lu Dong, International Master’s in Economy, State and Society

A year ago, I thought I knew exactly where I was headed. My plan was clear: finish my degree, become a financial analyst, and hopefully contribute to the growing field of sustainable finance. 

Then I joined the Economy, State and Society International Master’s at UCL. I didn’t expect how much that decision would shift my perspective, not just on finance, but on what it means to make an impact.

At first, it was subtle. A lecture here, a reading there, a group discussion that went deeper than numbers on a spreadsheet. I began to see how economy intersects with policy, how economic tools shape real lives, and how development isn’t just a theoretical concept, it’s something that unfolds every day in communities around the world. What began as curiosity slowly turned into conviction.

A turning point

One afternoon, I found myself attending an information session on the Dubai Business Associates (DBA) program, where a UCL alumna was speaking. She was someone who had taken a leap, moved across continents, and carved out a career in international business and diplomacy. I still remember the clarity in her voice when she spoke about strategic thinking, cultural adaptability, and the value of stepping outside your comfort zone. It wasn’t just her achievements that impressed me, it was also her courage.

Not long after that, I attended the SSEES Careers Fair, where I met a speaker from BBC who had covered Eastern Europe. He spoke of journalism not just as storytelling, but as political analysis in motion. We talked about how economic research and policy work together to inform public understanding. He told me, “You don’t have to wait until graduation to start contributing, start now. Write, research, get involved.”

I took that advice seriously. That evening, I opened my laptop and started looking for summer internships. I wasn’t researching banks or consultancies, but places I’d never considered before. And that’s how, a few months later, I found myself sitting at a shared desk in Cape Town, South Africa, interning at a local NGO focused on human rights and socio-economic development.

As I write this now, the sun is setting behind Table Mountain. I’m far from my London lecture halls, but in many ways, I’ve never felt closer to my education.

The opportunity to rethink my future

UCL didn’t just prepare me academically, it gave me the vision and courage to explore a different path. The university’s Careers services played a huge part in this. I took LinkedIn Learning courses on CV writing and strategic networking. I attended events, got feedback, and most importantly was encouraged to think beyond what was expected.

 My goal now is no longer just to “work in finance”, it’s to work at the intersection of economics, policy, and social justice. Whether it’s with a think tank, an NGO, or a global organization, I want to use the skills I’ve built, in analysis, research, communication, to contribute to something larger than myself.

Looking back, applying to UCL was one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made. I didn’t know it then, but what I signed up for was much more than a degree, it was an invitation to rethink, to grow, and to imagine a different future for myself.

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