Gunther

My name is Gunther and I am a graduate of the Universitat d’Alacant where I completed my Master of Science in Computer Engineering. I also attended the University of California, Berkeley as an exchange student for a year with a scholarship in soccer. I also hold certifications in BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis as well as ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst. As a child, I have been a Group leader for the YMCA.

My career began as a Software Developer and I moved to Deloitte Luxembourg as an Analyst. I have also worked as a Project Manager for the European Region for the World Confederation for Physical Therapy at Belgium. In 2014, I was one of the Co-Founders of Timbtrack, a start-up with the goal to simplify forestry management with end-to-end digital technologies.

My education was mainly technical but I rapidly evolved into a consulting position. It made a lot of sense for me to decide on making the leap toward entrepreneurship and get a business degree in order to be able to follow my professional and personal goals. I chose the MBA program at IMD as I was 35 years old when I started my MBA and I wanted a program where the candidates are quite mature and the main focus would be studied in a small community of entrepreneurs and that is what I found at IMD.

I started to work with Dr. Hubert Silly and the MBA Center staff at Frankfurt. I passed the GMAT with a 740 after three months of class. During these classes, I really appreciated the fast-thinking abilities and understanding of Dr. Hubert Silly and also his knowledge of the business world and therefore I asked him to be my coach for the program. The added value was huge for me as it was not easy in my case as I was already 34 years old when I began the application, had worked as a probate consultant for three years before starting the MBA and definitely not the type of student that an MBA program was looking for. I needed someone who could give me confidence and help me portray a positive image of myself, my life, achievement and career and who could be convincing enough to IMD to take me in. IMD is probably one of the most selective programs in Europe and Dr. Hubert Silly has been present at every stage of my application including essays, letters, the interview day, etc. (Interview day at IMD encompasses three steps: interview, case study, and an impromptu presentation). All of this was quite difficult and I know that it was due to my successful interaction with Dr. Hubert Silly that I was able to polish my profile and make it good enough for IMD to accept me.

As I mentioned before, IMD might be one of the most selective programs in Europe and getting to be a part of the school was an honor in itself. First of all, the quality of classes and the support provided to the students there is quite unique as far as I was concerned. The student body at IMD is also quite older than average and it was very easy for me to be a part of the classes there without the awkwardness associated with an advanced age. Also, the location of IMD, in the midst of the mountains in Switzerland was a very enticing factor to take into consideration.

There is no age to start an MBA. Dr, Hubert Silly told me that there were students who started their MBAs at 40-45 years of age. However, I would strongly recommend that you do not take up an MBA after 30 years of age as the more you wait the more difficult the payback is going to be.

Also, do not look for the ‘best’ MBA. Look for the right MBA. I am convinced that IMD is both the best and the right MBA for me. It is not ranked as high as it should be. But at IMD I found candidates who were close to my age, a school focused on real approach, real learning and leadership development. And I believe that what I got at IMD was something really unique that you cannot find anywhere else.

I also know that without the help and support of Dr. Hubert Silly I would never have made it to IMD as he has been able to help me tell my story in the best way possible to convince IMD to take me in and also helped me prepare for the interview.