Sarah Sabina Montaldo, HEC Paris MBA Class of 2024
Age: 28
Hometown: Milan, Italy
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Università degli Studi di Torino, Law Faculty – Master Degree in Law
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 3.5 years of working experience in the M&A and Real Estate legal practices. I worked on cross-border acquisitions of companies and real estate properties, assisting national and international clients (mainly PE funds and real estate investment funds) in M&A and real estate finance transactions.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Working as a legal advisor on M&A and real estate finance transactions made me realize that what I was truly passionate about was the decision-making process underlying the transaction I was working on. Hence, I decided to pursue a career change by doing an MBA now, in order to foster the business fundamentals and experience I need for pursuing this career change and capitalize on my knowledge in commercial law.
Why did you choose HEC Paris? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
After having evaluated the MBA programs of the top-ranked business schools and having talked with their alumni, I realized that the HEC Paris MBA program was the perfect fit for me. In particular, I believe that the HEC Paris MBA program provides the ideal environment to fully realize your potential thanks to its teaching approach, which effectively combines learn-by-doing methods, class diversity, and a focus on leadership skills development. Indeed, the 16-month-long program gives you the time necessary not only to master the fundamentals of business management but also to gain specialized knowledge and practice experience through the MBA Project or the Entrepreneurship Project, as well as by doing internships. Aside from the academic and career offer, HEC Paris also gives you the opportunity to live on campus enabling you to create strong bonds with your cohort and the entire HEC community.
Furthermore, I was truly enthralled by having the chance to also take part in the TEC On Campus Program, which I believe is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for growth both personally and professionally by defining the kind of leader you want to be.
Another reason why I applied to HEC Paris was the opportunity to organize the annual MBA Tournament (MBAT), as part of the MBAT’s organizing team, which is a unique experience for deeply fostering your people-management and task-management skills.
What do you think is YOUR most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
I believe that my most valuable contribution to the class is my humanistic background and legal forma mentis, which is profoundly different from that of most other students who have a background in economics or engineering. I have already experienced that this element allows me to bring different perspectives and enrich class discussions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
The HEC Talents Team (the Career Center) gives you, inter alia, the possibility to assess your soft skills and your potential by taking the AssessFirst test, which is a personality test built around the analysis of 3 key factors, namely the way you think, your drivers, and your personality. Well, it turned out that numbers and data analysis are my jam and I particularly enjoy understanding the links between data and being able to draw reliable conclusions, even though I have a legal academic background.
Post-MBA career interests:
Post-MBA, I would like to transition into a career in finance, specializing in Real Estate in Europe for companies of large cap size, with a focus on equity. Nonetheless, during my MBA journey, I am willing to explore my career potential and, eventually, pursue new goals that I didn’t even know were possible.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would talk again with many HEC Alumni and recruiters. In particular, I would attend again the networking event organized in Milan by HEC with the recruitment manager Liesbet Corriveau and some HEC alumni. This event has been a pivotal moment in my application process and made me realize that this program was the perfect fit for me.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently? 
I would dedicate more time to understanding how to effectively explain my legal academic and career path by taking into account that I didn’t have a “business” background.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I was worried about taking the GRE exam since I don’t have a strong math background. Thankfully, I am a curious person who loves to learn new things and challenge myself, so I approached the GRE preparation as an opportunity to learn and push my limits.
What is your initial impression of the HEC students/culture/community?
I am impressed by how strong the bond that unites the whole HEC Paris community is. It is truly founded on mutual support and sincere commitment to helping each other and creating synergies.
What is one thing you have learned about HEC that has surprised you?
I was surprised to discover the wide range of extracurricular activities that are offered during your entire MBA journey.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
As of today, I would say the internship search and preparation for the application process. In any case, I am grateful that the HEC Talents team gives you a lot of tools and concrete help to face this challenge.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am truly excited to start the TEC On Campus program, and I am thrilled to do my MBA journey with so many outstanding students with different academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
It did not directly affect my application, but it was a factor I was taking into account. I was aware that by having the opportunity to live on campus, we are less exposed to the pandemic.
