Martin Cortes Silva, ASU Carey MBA Class of 2025
Age: 29
Hometown: Santiago, Chile
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Life University, BBA
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Co-founder and COO of local startup, and restaurant manager.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Because I always wanted to gain the technical skills and the foundations to be able to oversee operations and innovation of big firms. After this, I want to take my professional career to the next level by applying my knowledge into my startup and in other endeavors that can impact the community in the field of health and fitness.
Why did you choose the ASU Carey School of Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Because of its recognition for being the best school in innovation with concentrations of my interest, located in a summer-all-year-around city. The financial and the academic support to achieve post-graduate ventures at a highly-ranked school such as ASU.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
My experience in working with teams in sport, academic and professional settings, ensuring compliance to values and individual and collective goals.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love hiking! And when I came to visit Arizona, I went to Cathedral Rock, and as soon as I got to the top, a horrible storm came. On my way back to the starting point, I got away from the trail, not knowing where I was going. With very poor visibility due to the rain and wind, I could only keep going down the hill and waiting for the best. My sunglasses flew away due to the intense strong wind, and with no signal, I got really scared, and it was my first hike of many I was planning on doing! Fortunately, after I strayed from the route, I saw the lights of the cars in the parking lot in the distance, and that led me to the base. Lesson? Pay attention to the weather warning message on your phone!
Post-MBA career interests:
Operations Management, Innovation Management
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
To be authentic and tell my story and dreams. There are many people in the world who can be chosen, however, authenticity is what makes you interesting and appealing in MBA and post-MBA opportunities.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have contacted current MBA students and Alumni sooner than I did.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The whole process of submitting documents and applying for student visa and SEVIS registration. W.P. Carey hosted webinars for international students to make us aware of the governmental requirements to study abroad, and also, this process was also part of the MBA requirements for incoming students and so we were able to keep track of it without missing deadlines and failing in complying to US government regulations.
What is your initial impression of the ASU Carey students/culture/community?
ASU W.P. Carey culture is so supportive and personal. I could not feel more guided and prepared for this program. All the attention and preparation in academic and professional matters allowed me to start with the perfect mindset and tools to navigate this MBA program.
What is one thing you have learned about ASU Carey that has surprised you?
This school is serious about innovation and using innovation in different plans and strategies for the upcoming future.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Finding the right company to do my internship; however, with all the resources, workshops, and the career services support I am confident that I will find the perfect company to be in the next spring. I have good feelings about the search for career paths and my consolidation in the entrepreneurial world.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Looking back at the end of the school year and realize how much I have learned in a short period of time.
