FT MBA2013
Mexican, 30
Consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Mexico City – four and a half years
Bachelor degree: Electronic Engineering & Communications
“The diversity of the RSM classroom has surpassed my expectations. My classmates are well selected and high-quality professionals, and are keen to participate, which produces a benefit for all of us. Everyone has contributed to the classroom.”
I had been thinking of doing a master’s degree for at least two years. I was acquiring a lot of managerial responsibility at PwC; managing projects and people, but I thought my skills lacked structure and form. I also wanted a break in my career to think about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I decided to do an MBA in Europe because I believe it is a place that perfectly combines cultural diversity and innovation with strong traditions; I was accepted at RSM and another 16-month programme, but chose RSM for two main reasons; the overall programme’s focus on sustainability and the culturally diverse and international classroom. I also thought that living in the Netherlands would be an exciting experience as it is a new culture for me.
The process started in Mexico City when I met an RSM alum, an American, working there. This was arranged through RSM, and we met a few times and developed a good relationship. He still enjoys his involvement in the School and I think it would be interesting to stay part of the RSM network and to coach like this, depending on where I’ll be at the end of the programme. Then I attended an RSM event in Mexico City and met Maria Rosa Parra Villanueva from RSM’s MBA Admissions office.
The first two months have been hectic! The workload is heavier than I expected, but in a good way. It’s all about managing time efficiently without losing your personal life, but the outcome is very rich and I’m learning a lot from the content of classes, from the interaction of the teams and between team members as we find our roles and prepare together. There is lots of discussion among members. Faculty and teachers from other sections of the programme know what we are learning and it’s all connected, even our assignments. Everything is interrelated and integrated. I like that very much. We find ourselves using the ‘new language’ learnt in one part of the programme in other parts.
The diversity of the RSM classroom has surpassed my expectations. My classmates are well selected and high-quality professionals, and are keen to participate, which produces a benefit for all of us. Everyone has contributed to the classroom. I find out about other people and their plans; I get new ideas and learn something new every week from the other students as well as the teachers. I’m growing and I love it. I am accustomed to working with Mexicans and Latin Americans, and have worked with Europeans, but had no opportunity to work with Asians or Africans before and knew this would be very enriching for me. I’ve noticed that diversity in the MBA classroom is not only about culture but also career background; we get different points of view from those with a background in marketing or consulting, for example.
Socially, it’s great. We started with a week of introductory days and the Dean’s dinner, followed by a pub crawl the next day, so I really got the chance to start meeting people. We’re now planning more social events; there’ll be a ski trip to the Alps, the traditional Dutch Queen’s Day celebrations and sports club events. I’ve got a comfortable place to live in the international house – with a great view of the Erasmusbrug – with roommates from Germany and India, so I have international diversity at home too!
My aim is to enhance my managerial skills in every aspect; in teamwork, in managing people, and to extend my knowledge of functional areas like marketing and finance so I can understand the big picture. In the short-term, I’d like to go back to consulting, but with more responsibility and in a different country with another language! It would be a good challenge. In the long term, I want to be an entrepreneur. I don’t know exact details yet, but it will be based on sustainable principles and will help to bring about a worldwide change. One part of the RSM MBA programme, Business & Society Management (BSM) is all about sustainability. There are always ways to contribute to sustainability at every level in the company, regardless of industry, company or your position – and without sacrificing income. You can also use the principles of sustainability to find new business opportunities.
I think the help from the Career Development Centre to help me write my CV and LinkedIn profile is already bringing clarity as I analyse and put a value on my experience so it transmits the right information, and will help me to meet my goals.
