Bruno Ferragut, Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2023
Bruno Ferragut, Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2023Age: 29
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Sao Paulo, Chemical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 5 years at Consumer Goods (Kraft Heinz)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Besides that I love putting Heinz Ketchup on everything, I was immersed in one single reality after college. Attending a business scholl was a way to challenge myself in a different environment and have a holistic view of my skills and knowledge. MBA is a golden opportunity to connect with people from different countries and backgrounds, broadening our horizons. Thousands of clubs, different courses, and people all over the world were aspects that excited me to join business school. This whole set of opportunities and the previous experiences that I had made it clear to me that pursuing an MBA would be the right path.
Why did you choose Stanford GSB? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
An important capability to be a leader is to know yourself. And I believe receiving an MBA is a catalyst on the self-awareness journey. GSB is known to be a very introspective program embedded in courses with self-reflection, hands-on experiences and a sense of community. Those three aspects are crucial to develop my own introspection and realize my true strengths, weaknesses and how to deal with my inner self. Therefore, the main reason that I chose Stanford MBA was the unmatched self-awareness journey and its ability to cultivate authentic leadership. Another crucial factor for me was location. Stanford is in the heart of Silicon Valley, where technology, innovation and entrepreneurship are the core of the discussions. On top of that, the weather at Stanford is amazing (born and raised Brazilian, weather can be a real issue). Last weekend, in the middle of the winter, the temperature reached 80F, so we could even swim outdoors!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
Working in Consumer Goods for almost five years has deepened my awareness of the power of emotional connection between a product and people. For example, the power of food in connecting everyone to sit around a table to enjoy a meal together is unmatched. Brands and products should position themselves bringing not only functional and economical benefits, but also connecting with consumers at the emotional level. My main contribution is to bring the perspectives of someone with nearly five years in various marketing and sales roles, and to share insights on the challenges of building brands (and teams) in an consumer-centric industry.
Post-MBA career interests:
Strategy and Marketing
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The most critical thing was to not rush throughout my application process. I had almost four months to reflect on my essays, talk to alumni and current students. Managing the application with my work routine was not an easy task at all. In addition, finding the right approach for your essays needs proper time for reflection –selecting the right sequence for writing the essays has to be strategically planned. Also in each school’s application, I was building and crafting a better approach to my journey.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would change the way I prepared for the interviews. I think I had a wrong approach just crafting my stories for the potential questions. However, I had very few mock interviews and that was not enough. I would have additional mock interviews focused on each school. Then I would be more prepared to deliver effective messages and be less anxious during the actual interviews.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Definitely the TOEFL is the part that I would have skipped. After you are done with GMAT, the TOEFL for international students seems to be an easy task. However, we need to study the test structure, strategize the best approach and do some mock tests. I had a feeling that I needed to get done with the proficient test as soon as possible, so that I could maximize my time for the essays.
What is your initial impression of the Stanford GSB students/culture/community?
My initial feeling is that Stanford GSB is such a very special place. The campus with its unique architecture is breathtaking. I remember the first time that I saw the Palm Drive and the Main Quad, and I could feel that Stanford is a magical place. The overheard conversations at Coupa Cafe (traditional coffee chain in Stanford) were about innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. My first impression was how this environment is always looking to the future in new ways.
What is one thing you have learned about Stanford GSB that has surprised you?
The “Wall of Changes” monument is an iconic place at Stanford GSB. We can see it every single day when going to the Knight Management Center. Also, it is where the students take their professional headshots with colorful squares in the background. I have never thought about the meaning of the monument. But once I got here, I realized that artwork is a manifestation of our commitment to equip the community to thrive in a changing environment. I thought it was digitally made, but it was actually made from modules like those on European train stations (with colored squares instead of letters). As the cards flip, they create a pleasant fluttering sound and mesmerizing set of patterns. It is a daily reminder for me of our mission to change lives, change the world and change organizations.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic did not negatively impact my personal experience with the application or admission process. I felt that I did better in the online standardized test and virtual interviews, rather than in-person ones. Since we were already working from home, I used the time spent on commuting to study for the tests.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
FOMO is real, and you face that even before joining the program – like a pre-MBA trip that you could not attend; or participate in events across the campus; or even join that small group dinner. In my point of view, the social piece of the program is the most valuable aspect and can also be the most overwhelming.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
People. People. People. The classmates, the professors, the faculty, the staff make the MBA program so inspiring. I am immersed in a community of creative and accomplished people from around the world that push myself to be a better person every single day. The MBA life seems to be an easy life from the outside, but it is definitely different from the inside. It is a roller coaster, with ups and downs. But riding this roller coaster with these amazing people makes everything worth it.
