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Q: What do China and Shanghai mean to you? A: The CEIBS MBA, for me, was an absolute once-in-a-lifetime experience. Before CEIBS, my career was moving towards management positions but in very technical departments. CEIBS gave me a 360-degree perspective, helping me to link all the areas in a company. Academic lessons were combined with practical experiences in a way that progressively changed my thinking process, incorporating a number of new concepts which have become completely natural to me today. After graduation you realize that the school’s China focused approach is a real differentiator, especially knowing that China has just became the biggest economy in the world. On a personal level, Shanghai and CEIBS have been very enriching experiences, allowing me to test my boundaries in a very different environment and to increase my cultural understanding. In a nutshell, CEIBS helped me to develop an improved version of myself. Q: What impact has CEIBS had in helping you to pursue your career goals and advance your career? A: I’d always wanted to leverage my previous experience so that I could continue working in technology but in a more business-oriented role. Thanks to the MBA, I’ve achieved this. I’ve begun working with the CTO/CIO of a telecom operator as a part of the company’s leadership development program for MBA graduates. My position allows me to oversee many areas. The 360-degree perspective I gained at CEIBS helps me to succeed in this role. And I believe my experience in China was really valuable during the screening and interview process. Although the company is European, it operates in emerging markets. Q: What are your fondest memories from your time spent at CEIBS? A: Everything! Despite the tough and very intensive periods, the overall experience was very positive: all that I learned, the people I met, and the city itself brought adventures every day. I don’t see the tough days as bad memories. On the contrary, I’ve learned to appreciate and utilize every experience to the fullest. Q: Why should a Spaniard consider doing their MBA in Shanghai instead of in Europe or the U.S.? A: First, I would like to point out the China focus again: even if your next position after graduation will not deal with China directly, I’m more than sure China will leave a mark on your career in the medium to long term. Second, the academic program and the CEIBS faculty are comparable to the ones at other top business schools in the world. I can confirm this from my exchange semester at one of the most prestigious schools in Europe. Finally, I really think that working in a very different cultural environment helps to develop many soft skills that may be useful in the future. Especially if you’ve never lived abroad, this will be a completely new experience. For a change go to China and improve your listening skills, learn that there are different ways of doing things, develop your persuasion skills in front of a very different audience, learn to work and get along with diverse people, not only in terms of academic/professional background but also from a cultural perspective. Jana Díaz Orbegozo (CEIBS MBA2014) Executive Project Manager, CTIO at Millicom BALTIC SEA For more info on the CEIBS MBA contact Roy Chason at [email protected] Jana Díaz Orbegozo is an Executive Project Manager at Millicom (aka Tigo), a company which provides digital services to over 50 million customers in 14 markets. After earning Telecommunication Engineering degrees in Spain and the US, she was employed as a Service Engineer at Ericsson Spain. However, Jana’s career only took off once she decided to differentiate herself with a world-class business degree. The la Caixa Scholarship enabled her to fulfill her dream at the best business school in Asia – CEIBS. la Caixa Scholarship Recipient Tells Why You Should Look East SHANGHAI – Your Gateway for a Career Leap
