Paula Andrea Gómez Alexander, Washington Foster’s MBA Class of 2025
Paula Andrea Gómez Alexander, Washington Foster’s MBA Class of 2025Age: 32
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Universidad del Rosario, Bachelor of Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Senior Consultant, Deloitte (Financial Advisory – Forensic Services), 6 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Ever since I was an undergrad (especially after doing a semester in Australia), the idea of pursuing a master´s degree abroad always resonated with me. Years of experience in the financial services industry only helped strengthen my resolve, and it dawned on me that studying in a business school was more than a natural progression in my career path; it was a necessary step for me to grow into the type of professional I aim to be.
I was eager to broaden my knowledge beyond my specific role and delve into a comprehensive understanding of business operations, ranging from finance and accounting to marketing and strategy. Additionally, I saw the MBA as a platform to refine my leadership, management, and problem-solving capabilities. This holistic approach aligned perfectly with my professional goals and fueled my determination to pursue this path.
Why did you choose the University of Washington Foster? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
After extensive research and self-reflection, I chose Foster for the following reasons:
- Foster’s Tight-Knit and Collaborative Community: The strong sense of community and collaborative culture at Foster greatly appealed to me. Through numerous conversations and interactions with career management, alumni, upperclassmen, and members of the recruitment team, I consistently felt their genuine care and desire to support my success. Since day one, I have received unwavering support and encouragement.
- MBA Class Size: The smaller size of the MBA class was a significant factor in my decision. I personally believe that a more intimate class size enhances the learning experience, offers improved access to career management and faculty, and allows for meaningful connections within the cohort.
- Extensive Network and Industry Relationships: Foster’s expansive network of connections was another compelling aspect. While I initially knew about Foster’s strong ties with major global companies, I truly grasped the extent of these relationships upon arriving in Seattle. To give an example, on our second week of orientation, we had the opportunity to visit and work on real-life cases with industry leaders like Starbucks, Google, and Adobe.
In summary, I firmly believe this program will not only allow me to enhance my existing strengths but also enable me to nurture and develop skills in areas where I need improvement. Foster’s hands-on teaching approach, emphasis on collaborative learning, outstanding faculty, career-oriented development programs, and innovative/experimental focus will further help me achieve both my professional and personal goals.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
Growing up in a multicultural environment provided me with invaluable insights into diverse perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking. Such an upbringing has nurtured my ability to appreciate and navigate diverse cultures effectively, a skill that is increasingly crucial in today’s globalized world. Furthermore, coming from a multinational financial services firm, I have been interacting with individuals from various parts of the world for the better part of a decade, a vital learning experience that helped me broaden my understanding of international business practices and interpersonal dynamics. Collaboration, communication, and honesty were all virtues I picked up from these encounters, and their diverse natures formed in me an adaptable mindset and a willingness to affront the nuanced challenges and opportunities that come with different economic sectors and industries. Finally, my experiences in an environment that pushed constant interactions with clients made me develop an empathetic and client-centric approach to problem-solving. With it, I hope I can contribute valuable insights and solutions not only in a professional and academic scene but also in a humanitarian one.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love reading. It is one of my favorite hobbies and something I do for fun. If I find the time, I can read up to 5 books per month (when I was younger, this number was much higher!).
Post-MBA career interests:
I am deeply interested in exploring a career in Consulting or pursuing strategy roles within multinational companies, specifically in the Pharmaceutical Sector.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
Start as early as you can and do a lot of introspection and soul-searching to understand where you want to go and what you want to get out of your MBA experience.
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Engaging early on with various upperclassmen and alumni from my list of prospective schools offered me a valuable glimpse into the different MBA programs I was contemplating. It was crucial to understand not only the academic aspect but also to get a sense of each school’s individual and unique culture. Factors like a collaborative and inclusive community, post-MBA placements, and opportunities for hands-on learning held significant weight in my B-School decision. This effort proved instrumental in identifying the perfect match that aligned with my future goals and personal preferences.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I had more time to dedicate to GMAT preparation. I truly believe that the time I allocated for the GMAT preparation was far from sufficient compared to what I should have invested.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The most challenging aspect of the entire process, for me, was managing multiple applications, which included essays, interviews, tests, and more, all while balancing a demanding full-time job. In this case, staying organized was an absolute lifesaver. From the moment I made the decision to start applying to several MBA programs, I maintained an Excel file with crucial application dates, including deadlines and weekly goals, where I kept track of all the tasks required for each application. This approach helped me stay on track and, most importantly, prevented me from rushing through the process.
What is your initial impression of the Washington Foster students/culture/community?
The community here is incredibly diverse in terms of backgrounds, life experiences, and interests. However, despite our differences, I feel we are all united by our shared commitment to collaboration and collective success. Everyone genuinely wants to see you thrive, and they’re more than willing to go out of their way to offer their help, support, and advice. Whether it’s the faculty, upperclassmen, career coaches, or alumni, everyone has been extremely approachable and eager to help me since day one. Most importantly, I feel that the Foster community is extremely welcoming and tight-knit.
What is one thing you have learned about Washington Foster that has surprised you?
I knew from the beginning that the university was big on collaboration and teamwork, however, I was not expecting the importance the university gives to forming genuinely nice and ethical business professionals. While academics are a clear focus, the university also prioritizes leadership and helping us develop as self-aware and conscientious human beings. Finally, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of discussion the professors here at Foster encourage – classes feel like real-life conversations with discipline/industry experts rather than textbook lectures.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Balancing academics, leadership opportunities, school events, recruiting, and personal life. There’s just so much happening, and realistically, we can’t be everywhere or do everything all at once. I feel that figuring out what truly matters while battling the fear/anxiousness of missing out will be a challenge this upcoming year.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
What excites me the most is the opportunity to connect with my classmates and build meaningful and long-lasting friendships. I am really looking forward to learning from my classmate´s experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. I’m also excited about the prospect of challenging myself by actively participating in leadership opportunities within the MBA Association, which would be a great opportunity to support my cohort, while collaborating with the current administration team to create a great experience for current and future MBA students at Foster.
