Mariafe Mazurski, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2024
Age: 29
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Undergraduate Institution and Major: American University, Business Administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 5 years in Real Estate Development
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I was at a point in my career where in order to continue to grow, I needed to polish my technical and leadership skills. It was going to be very difficult to continue growing into more senior roles without those skills and an advanced degree.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I worked with many UNC alumni, and they are all great leaders and spoke very highly of the program. Also, I knew UNC is the place to be for real estate, so it was an easy decision. Location was also very important, as I was going to be relocating with my husband and two children. Chapel Hill is a great place for families.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
I am very passionate about diversity. I think there is so much we can achieve when people from different backgrounds collaborate. I am very much looking forward to being involved with Latin American Business Association and Carolina Women in Business.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love to travel, and even more now that I have kids. Seeing the world through their eyes is the most rewarding experience. My 7-month-old has already been to three other countries!
Post-MBA career interests:
I would like to continue in Real Estate. Ideally in a role where I can be involved in development deals and investment transactions.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Connect with as many people as possible. The application will determine if the student is a good fit for the school, but the application process is also a time to learn if the school is a good fit for the student. I connected with faculty, alumni, and current students. I talked to a student whose English was her second language and another student that had children to make sure the school culture and resources would match my needs as a bilingual individual and mother. Each of my conversations helped me work through the process of the application and ultimately confirmed my belief that UNC Kenan-Flagler was the right (or perfect?) school for me.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would purchase a book to study for the GRE from day 1, instead of trying to study on my own. I thought I could study for the exam with my own resources and knowledge of what the exam covered, but the exam is in a very particular format and the best way to prepare is to study the content and work through practice tests to get used to the question format and the timing of each section.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Studying for the GRE was one of the most challenging parts of the application. I am not used to that format and there were many topics I had not seen in a very long time. I kept myself motivated about school to find the energy to study for the exam. I also took little breaks from studying to avoid getting overworked.
What is your initial impression of the UNC Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
Students are very friendly, and it creates a very positive energy around the school. During the application process I was several times told that the culture at KFBS was very collaborative, and you can see that as soon as you step foot on campus. In my experience during the first week, I noticed that the school was also very open to hearing feedback from first-year students and there is always an opportunity to have open discussions as a community.
What is one thing you have learned about UNC Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
As a school, they do not only care about the student having a good experience during the program and a good setup immediately after graduation, rather, they also offer so much assistance to alumni and make sure to continue to provide resources to them. Being a Tar Heel is really like expanding your family.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Being able to juggle all the classes, recruiting, and networking, on top of the demands of being a dedicated wife and mother. I believe all of these activities are important to have a successful first year in the program, but it is also important to learn to identify priorities and act accordingly.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The opportunity to be challenged through being put outside of my comfort zone, to meet and learn from the distinguished faculty, and to collaborate with classmates. I will be introduced to people with many different backgrounds, and I look forward to learning from them.
