Alvaro Soriano, Rotman MBA Class of 2024
Age: 32
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Universidad de Lima, Industrial Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 10 years, mostly in B2C service industries, with the last 5 of them in the Digital/Tech industry.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
In the last 2 years, I was working in a tech startup back in Peru, and I realized that my next goal was to work in the HQ of a tech company. I also wanted to live abroad, and an MBA was a great way to achieve that goal.
This was the perfect moment for me because I already experienced and learn enough from my last tech experience to take advantage of all the MBA material combined with my professional life, and I wanted to do an in-person MBA. So this is the perfect year to start.
Why did you choose Toronto Rotman? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I would say that there were three main factors: Diversity, Intellectual horsepower of the class, and the Creative Destruction Lab. This class is an amazing opportunity to know how some of the smartest people from diverse cultures over the world think and resolve problems and having the Lab and being part of the CDL fellowship was a game-changer for me. Having the opportunity to interact with founders and venture capitalists is going to be an amazing experience.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
This is a strong cohort, driven by their goals. We all have decided to pursue an MBA and submitted during Covid-19. That is a huge risk and requires a lot of commitment and mental strength. The application process is not easy at all, and dealing with it during this crisis was already a success by itself.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I think my experience must play a good part. I have almost 10 years of experience in 4 different industries. In 5 of those years, I was managing high-performance teams and making important decisions in the firms I had worked.
Post-MBA career interests:
I want to pursue a career in the tech industry, and a product management role will be my first option. I don’t have any preferred firm, but I’m sure that I want to be engaged with the problem they are trying to solve in this city.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The introspection to figure out what my spike factor was enlightening, and helped me to discover a lot about myself.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I think I would do it in the same way.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I found the process very straightforward. The 30-sec videos made me anxious at the beginning, but it was finally OK.
What is your initial impression of the Toronto Rotman students/culture/community?
Very collaborative people who are willing to help anyone who needs help.
What is one thing you have learned about Toronto Rotman that has surprised you?
How strong the Rotman brand is in the city. Whenever you say you are in Rotman, people see you differently.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The winter. No doubt. It’s going to be my first winter in a country with snow and low temperatures.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Learning from all the people in the class and adapting to the city
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
I did the GMAT before Covid-19 started, so it really didn’t affect me that much.
