Carlos Martinez, Emory Goizueta’s MBA Class of 2023
Age: 27
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Los Andes University, Industrial Engineer
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 6, CPG
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
There are several reasons for me to get an MBA, but the most important ones are structuring my leadership, networking opportunities, the global business mindset I want to acquire and the skills (strategy, negotiation and problem solving) that I wish to develop. I also wanted to transition to work in a company to be part of their core process. The reason to do it now is that for me it is the perfect timing, both professionally and personally. I had been working for 6 years, the last 2 of them leading a 3 workers team, so want to lever up does leadership abilities to be able to guide larger teams in higher responsibility positions.
Why did you choose Emory Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
One reason is GBS MBA small class size (by design) gives a specially personalized experience where everybody (staff and students) will call you by your name. The value of it is that you will get to know significantly well all your classmates and build deep relationships with several of them that result in a highly collaborative culture. Additionally, you will have access to all the MBA services (career management, professors, etc) in remarkable individualized way due to the staff to student ratio. The second reason is the job placement statistics, meaning people most of the times land in their desired jobs and target companies.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
I think my most valuable differentiation is my experience living, studying, and working in Colombia. I am the only one from this country in my year. So, I can give a different perspective in and out of the classroom. I also worked in the Coca-Cola system before coming, so is fun when we talk about something Coca-Cola related because I am supposed to be the one that has internal information about the company.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
A misunderstanding in a conversation with my mother resulted in me showing in my soccer outfit and wearing crocs to a social event that a respected former president of Colombia also attended. It was very embarrassing in the moment, but now some years after, quite funny!
Post-MBA career interests:
I am currently recruiting for Investment Banking
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would reach people by LinkedIn to ask them about the program. It helps you understand about the school, culture, classes, etc. It also helps you craft a better application and do a better interview.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have planned my time better to submit the application. The last days before the application was due my worked peaked, and I was not aware that the small questions were important and took time. I spent good time doing the essays, resume and talking with my supervisors about the recommendations, but the application has several other small-answer questions that you need to plan for. I had some long nights finishing the application after work.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
One hard part was studying for the GMAT. In my opinion that requires two or three months of intensive work to get a good result. I had to take the exam two times, because I was not entirely prepared the first time. For me, more that the content was the limited amount of time. So, for the second attempt my practice was always focused on practicing with I time constrain and doing complete practice tests on weekends.
What is your initial impression of the Emory Goizueta students/culture/community?
It’s a very diverse community in all the categories you could think. However, it is a very friendly, collaborative, and fun community with a good balance of academic rigor, labor experience and social energy.
What is one thing you have learned about Emory Goizueta that has surprised you?
The big influence it has all around Atlanta. You see Emory facilities everywhere you go.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
The application had pros and cons. The pro was that I was working virtually so I could set apart timeframes to work on it and I saved the commuting time to work. The cons were that asking for the recommendations was more awkward because I had to request for specific meetings with my supervisors for that matter. Other con was that I didn’t had the possibility to visit the school and the city before applying.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
To get my internship recruiting in my second language.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
To get to know my classmates deeply!
