Victoria Antonova (’15): “I loved my time at AUBG!”
Victoria Antonova is a Russian alumna who graduated in 2015. She double-majored in Political Science and International Relations and Business Administration and minored in European Studies. Victoria pursued her Master’s degree at Aarhus University in Denmark and is currently employed as a management consultant at Bain & Company, one of the world’s largest consulting companies. Read our interview with her to learn more about her experience with AUBG student clubs and academics, and her life after graduation.
What has your life looked like after graduating from AUBG – where have you studied and worked? What is your current occupation?
I took a gap year after my graduation and worked remotely at a marketing company which gave me the flexibility to travel the entire year. I then pursued a Master’s degree in International Studies at Aarhus University in Denmark. I fell in love with Copenhagen for its openness, forward-thinking, great lifestyle, and decided to stay there. I worked as a research assistant at Copenhagen University for a year towards the end of my studies and since the beginning of 2020, I have been working as a management consultant at Bain & Company, one of the world’s largest consulting companies.
What kind of impact has AUBG had on your personal and professional growth? Which are the essential skills you gained at AUBG that helped you succeed in your career field?
I loved my time at AUBG! It has been a very informative experience for me both personally and professionally. After Entering my Master’s program and sharing my experiences with colleagues from all over Europe, I realized just how rigorous AUBG education is, with its strong emphasis on critical thinking, erudition, and communication. It prepared me to succeed both in my academic and professional career. Not only does AUBG instill an undying optimism in all of its students, but it also encourages them to form a can-do attitude which is essential for personal and professional growth.
What extracurricular activities (clubs, work at AUBG offices, Exchanges, etc.) have you been involved with at AUBG?
Like most AUBG students, I have been quite active with extracurricular activities. I have always found our student clubs and activities incredibly energizing. I held student jobs at the Academic Center (as a tutor in writing and political science) and Development Office (as an outreach assistant). In terms of clubs, I was part of the European Society where we organized the first Model European Union conference on AUBG campus. My friends and I also co-founded SAGE – Students Advocating for Gender Equality, where we brought human rights guest speakers and organized workshops and screenings on LGBT and gender equality. I also had an exchange semester at Sciences Po Bordeaux in France, which was a unique opportunity to meet new peers and to improve my French.