As another generation of business school students conclude their studies we ask them to reflect on Graduation Day and the lifelong impact of their studies…
- Name: Lars Schoningh
- Job title: Consultant at McKinsey & Company
- Institution: Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University
- Degree: MSc International Management (CEMS)
- Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-schoningh/
- Name: Nina Ljubanovic
- Job title: New Associate at Accenture
- Institution: Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University
- Degree: MSc International Management (CEMS)
- Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-ljubanovic-2641241b9/
How does participating in a graduation ceremony help you emotionally mark the end of your student journey and prepare for what’s next?
Nina: Participating in the graduation ceremony is more than just a formality – it’s a celebration of an era. The ceremony gave me a clear moment to pause and mark the end of my student life. It’s a chance to celebrate with all the people who supported me during this time, to acknowledge everything I’ve achieved, and officially close this chapter before stepping into what comes next.
Lars: Participating in the graduation ceremony gave me a really nice sense of closure for my study time, as it was a great time to both look back at what we/I have accomplished in the past years, but also to look forward to what was to come. For me personally, I had missed my Bachelor graduation due to being abroad for my Masters exchange, so it felt extra rewarding to put an end to my studies.
“What I’ll remember most is the people I’ve spent the past five years with. From meeting lifelong friends, mentors and others, the relationships I built during my studies are definitely what marked me most and hope to take with me for the rest of my life. “
– Lars Schoningh
RSM also does a really great job at making the event feel intimate and reflective, but it is also inspiring and exciting to look forward to.
What does it mean to you to be recognized publicly for your learning and accomplishment – and who do you feel you’re representing as you cross the stage?
Nina: Being publicly recognised for my academic achievements at graduation feels meaningful. It confirms that the hard work paid off and that I’ve reached a key milestone. I also felt my family’s pride, which matters a lot since they’ve played such a huge part in helping me get to this point.
Lars: Being recognized publicly is nice as studying is often quite individual and it’s not always straightforward to share with others what you are working on, it’s also nice to see and hear what your peers have been working on too.
While crossing the stage, I of course felt proud to share this moment with my classmates, but most importantly was happy to represent my family who were in attendance.
In a world where learning never really ends, what does ‘graduating’ mean to you – and what kind of impact do you want to make with what you’ve learned?
Nina: Graduation isn’t the end of learning for me, it’s a starting point of a new chapter, but one where I need to take initiative on my own. My diploma serves as physical proof of all the knowledge that I have accumulated during my studies, and my graduation reminds me that I am equipped with all the tools to make a positive impact. It is now up to me to act and use this knowledge to make positive impact in whatever path I choose to take.
“My diploma serves as physical proof of all the knowledge that I have accumulated during my studies, and my graduation reminds me that I am equipped with all the tools to make a positive impact.”
– Nina Ljubanovic
Lars: For me, “graduating” marks the end of my time of learning at RSM, an institution which has given me so much, both in terms of knowledge and experiences, personally and professionally.
However, what it definitely gave me was the understanding that learning is a lifelong process. Therefore, graduation does not mark the end of learning, but rather my learning journey at RSM. Especially, considering the field which we studied (Business/Management), it is an ever-changing industry where the outside world has such a large influence on what we do, RSM provided me with the tools not to know all the answers in the world, but to know where to look and how to approach complex problems.
What is the single most memorable aspect of your studies that you will remember long after graduation?
Nina: One of my most memorable experiences was representing RSM in international case competitions, including trips to New Zealand and Thailand. Winning first place was a highlight, but more than that, those moments showed me what teamwork, challenge, and personal growth really look like. I was able to make memories of a lifetime and make friends all over the globe. These are just some highlights among countless transformative experiences I will carry with me long after graduation.
Lars: What I’ll remember most is the people I’ve spent the past five years with. From meeting lifelong friends, mentors and others, the relationships I built during my studies are definitely what marked me most and hope to take with me for the rest of my life.
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