Said Abouali Sanchez, IESE MBA Class of 2021
Age: 26
Hometown: Valencia, Spain
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Aerospace engineering at Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 2 years in Consulting
Why business school? Why now?
I feel now is the moment to move into more leadership positions in my career. Business school is a great place to prepare for the challenges I will face in that adventure.
Why IESE? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose IESE due to its focus on people. I believe people are the key element in everything we do. To achieve personal and professional goals, we must understand people and interact with them. IESE provides the opportunity to master these two skills.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2021?
Professionally, I can share my experience in consulting with people interested in this industry. Besides, I’d love to help and support those with the desire of starting a career in consulting. Personally, I can create a good and fun environment in everything we do inside and outside university.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I have been living without a house and carrying only two pieces of luggage for the last 2 years.
Post-MBA career interests?
Consulting. It provides the opportunity to create real impact in different countries, different sectors, and different organizations, while working with diverse and exceptional people and continuously learning from them.
Advice to current prospective applicants.
Don’t focus only on the GMAT and on the numbers on your CV. Make sure you have a clear vision of the big picture. Why do you want to study at IESE? What do you want to get out of that? How can you add value to the people around you? You will be ready to have a strong application when you have clear answers to those questions. Understand why you want to do this and believe in it. Only when you believe, you will be able to achieve. Having said that, make sure you take the GMAT as soon as possible (not as I did :))
What is your initial impression of IESE’s students/culture/community?
I feel it’s very easy to quickly establish close relationships with people, both students and faculty. Everyone seems willing to help and make sure you have a great experience at IESE
One thing you have learned about IESE that has surprised you?
I found that the professional driver Marc Comas recently chose IESE to study. Even knowing how diverse IESE is, it still surprises me the extra high degree of diverse profiles and the amount of learning opportunities that this generates.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m anxious about meeting everybody at IESE (everybody!) and getting to know such diverse and interesting people.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited about the trips I will take together with my class, visiting companies of specific sectors in different cities around the world.
