Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Gianluca. I completed my post-graduation at the Politecnico di Milano with a Master of Science, Economics, Management, and Industrial Engineering. I was also an EU Exchange Student, Business Planning and Strategic Management, to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. I have worked as a Marketing Team Coordinator for the Melbourne City Council. I was a Business Analyst for Business Integration Partners before joining Viking Cruises as an Operations Analyst and later as a Senior Analyst.
What prompted you to apply for an MBA?
I graduated from one of the top engineering schools in my country and was hired to work in the technical and operational field. I wanted to have a more strategic position and wanted to make a career switch into management consulting. I also wanted to make my career more globalized as up till then my career has been mostly in an around Switzerland and the Swiss part of Italy. Being fluent in French and English I wanted to grow further in my career but my degree that was typical Italian was not enough for me to gain a top position outside Italy.
What did you find the most difficult in the application process?
Thanks to the coaches at MBA Center and Dr. Hubert Silly, I got the 720 required for the GMAT quite easily. The major problem I felt was my application as my profile which had nothing unique about it and knowing that a school like INSEAD is very competitive, it would be very difficult for me to get in if I did not manage to uncover in my profile something that would interest them. In this respect I can only thank Dr. Hubert Silly who was able to help me write my story with the right words, making my profile interesting enough for the school.
What is life like at INSEAD?
There is a reason why INSEAD constantly comes as the number one ranked college for MBA Programs. With it is well developed and designed curriculum for having world-renowned professors and academics teach classes, INSEAD is a force in the business world. Moreover, living at the Fontainebleau campus of the school makes it even more inspiring as you are surrounded by nature at every turn. The diverse student body and a robust alumni network as just added bonuses to the experience that is INSEAD.
What would be your advice to someone applying for an MBA program?
My advice would be that all MBA applicants find the right people to help them with their applications. I was very fortunate to be introduced to Dr. Hubert Silly and the MBA Center team by two friends of mine who had themselves taken the help of Dr. Hubert Silly one of whom had been accepted to Yale. I was also very happy with the collaboration with Dr. Hubert Silly who not only helped me with the GMAT preparations but also helped me to get into my dream school.