Since graduating from UCL School of Management’s BSc/MSci Management Science programme in 2026, Evelyn has continued building Headstart, the startup she co-founded while studying at UCL. The platform helps students gain real-world experience with startups and has already supported more than 1,500 students in securing internships.
We caught up with Evelyn to hear more about her journey from Hong Kong to UCL, how an unexpected experience at an aerospace startup led to founding her own venture, and how the Management Science programme helped shape the way she approaches problems, storytelling and new opportunities.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I recently graduated from UCL Management Science, class of 2026, and I’m originally from Hong Kong.
In my first year, I met many different people while working on my own freelance photography and, interestingly, got the chance to work at an aerospace startup. That experience eventually led me to co-found my own startup, Headstart, a platform that helps students gain real work experience with startups.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO STUDY MANAGEMENT SCIENCE?
As for why Management Science, the Scenario Weeks sold me early on. I liked the idea of being thrown into genuine industry problems from week one, and I loved that the modules mixed the quantitative with the qualitative rather than making you pick a lane too early.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT STUDYING ON THE PROGRAMME?
Scenario Weeks were definitely my favourite part. One that stands out was when we had to produce an actual film in a week. That storytelling lens has followed me into pretty much everything since, whether that’s pitching, investing or simply explaining an idea properly.
Some of my best memories are the smaller moments though. Studying in Canary Wharf felt surreal at times, and I still remember playing Nintendo in the classroom during a break. It was that mix of intense learning and genuinely having fun with people who became real friends.
HOW HAS YOUR CAREER JOURNEY DEVELOPED SINCE?
Since graduating, I’ve mainly focused on continuing to build Headstart. It’s been genuinely exciting working with universities, institutions and startups that all want the same thing: a meaningful way to work with bright students rather than simply recruit them.
We’ve now helped more than 1,500 students secure internships with startups, which has also given me the opportunity to meet people working across a huge range of fields and interests.
Alongside that, I’m about to begin a role in strategy consulting, which I’m looking forward to for its multidisciplinary nature. I like the idea of tackling new problems and learning about different industries all the time.
WHAT SKILLS FROM THE PROGRAMME DO YOU USE MOST?
One of the biggest skills I use is turning information into something people actually want to read or hear. Analysing data is one thing, but being able to shape it into a story rather than simply presenting a slide full of numbers is something I use constantly.
Whether it’s client work, meetings or getting someone else on board with an idea, storytelling has become an important part of how I communicate.
The other skill is less academic: being able to walk into a new room and talk to people. London forces that out of you a little because it’s such a vibrant place, and the programme pushed me to get comfortable doing that early rather than waiting until I felt completely ready.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ABOUT TO START THE MANAGEMENT SCIENCE PROGRAMME?
Get involved in as much as you can, especially in your first year, even things that seem completely unrelated to what you think you’re interested in. Some of my best ideas have come from conversations with people doing something completely different from me.
I’d also encourage students to make the most of the University’s resources, whether that’s departments, careers contacts or the alumni network. A slightly awkward cold email can go a surprisingly long way, and most people are far more willing to help than you might expect.
Find out more about UCL School of Management’s MSc/BSci Management Science