Carlos

My name is Carlo. I am a software engineer with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering from the Universidad Industrial de Santander. I continued with a Master of Science from the Universite Joseph Fourier (Grenoble I). I also got a Ph.D. in Informatics from Universite Grenoble Alpes.

I began my career in the technical field as a Database designer with Tissa Technology Group. I was a Co-Founder and Project Manager of GIsmobile Limited where I worked for over a year and a half. Over the years I worked with various other tech companies before deciding to go for an MBA.

Apart from this, I have worked as a Tutor on the Basics of Computing Systems at STMicroelectronics Foundation, Secours Catholique-France. I was also a participant in the London to Paris charity cycling Fundraiser for the UNICEF.

My education and career before choosing to go for the MBA were primarily in the technology sector. However, I wanted to create own company in the field and use my talents and knowledge for furthering innovation in my field of study as I believe that I have ideas that can be successful in the long run. As I had a technical background I understood that I would have to go for an MBA before switching careers as I would need to gain credibility as an entrepreneur too. I chose Rotterdam as it is a one year program in the heart of Europe. The program also has a lot of partnerships with HEC and Georgetown University where I intended to study also.

As an engineer and also being fluent in the English language, the GMAT was not as difficult for me as many others before I have found it to be. I managed to get the 650 that I needed for Rotterdam School of Management after just two months of class. However, the application process itself turned out to be more challenging for me as I am not a writer and it was very difficult for me to find the proper tone to present my experiences while also showing my values and my interest in the school, and what I could contribute to the school. Dr. Hubert Silly, under whose tutelage I study, was extremely helpful for the success of my application.

RSM, with its one year program, was my choice of business school and I am very happy with my choice so far. I wanted to be close to the heart of Europe and RSM suits my purposes brilliantly. I have also been very happy with the classes and the networks that I have managed to create so far. As an entrepreneur, I was very focused on my projects during my time at RSM and I got the best support from my colleagues and professors with regard to it.

First of all, find the best possible school for yourself. When I began my search I found various programs such as INSEAD, LBS, etc., which were far too expensive for me. By applying successfully to Rotterdam, I managed to get into a program that is very reputable, lies at the heart of Europe, is a bedrock of Dutch entrepreneurship and at the same time allows its students to have exchange programs to HEC, Georgetown, etc., allowing the students to have a very international program.

Secondly, budget your MBA. It is an expensive program and you will be spending over 80,000 euros in the course of a year without working. So plan your finances well in advance, whether it be scholarships or financial support etc., or the MBA might end up costing you even more.

Finally, I recommend that you work with Dr. Hubert Silly and the MBA Center. I was in class with a lot of students, many of whom got accepted to INSEAD, IMD, HEC, LSE, ISE, LBS, and RSM. I was very impressed but the quality of the classes offered there and recommend them very highly.