He has certainly kept busy on the 12-month version of the MBA at Spain’s ESADE Business School. The 25-year-old is the vice president of both the Women In Business and Net Impact Clubs, the latter seeking to drive positive social and environmental change. He believes it’s important to champion the inclusion as equals of women in business, and that managers understand the impact of their decisions.
This diverse thinking led him to launch www.lagbt.com, a Los Angeles start-up offering personal concierge and travel experiences to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Prior to the MBA, the hospitality management graduate worked as a manager at sbe Group, a hospitality business catering to some of the world’s top luxury brands, in Hollywood.
The former Californian restaurant manager has valued above all on his MBA the collaborative ESADE culture, along with the benefits of being based in Barcelona — a lively cultural hub.
Why did you decide to begin an MBA?
I had been working in the hospitality industry in Los Angeles as a manager for three years and felt that it was time for me to create more opportunity for myself.
I had lived in a 300-mile radius nearly my entire life, and had been exposed to such a limited view of the world that I knew an MBA in the US was out of the question.
The ability of the ESADE program to increase my cultural knowledge, [the opportunity to] learn a new language and engage with top, international businesses, increase my personal and professional network on a global scale, and grow and learn, was an opportunity that I simply could not let pass me by.
How would you describe your experience at ESADE?
ESADE has been life changing. Being 24 when starting the MBA may mean that no matter what I had done this would have occurred.
However, I truly believe that the culture of a school is the main factor that must be considered when choosing where to go. ESADE adopts the culture of Barcelona in many aspects — with the academic excellence found in many US business schools. The culture of the school, where team work comes above all else and the feeling of genuine care is woven into the fabric of all they do, was the perfect fit for me.
It isn’t cut-throat, where your classmates try to undermine you, or you feel as if every day is a battle; it is a place where you are supported, taught to support and create an environment for you to better the lives and subsequent careers of your peers and yourself.
What are the key benefits of being based in Barcelona?
Barcelona is an enigmatic city. Located on the Mediterranean, with easy access to all major cities in Europe, it allows an increase in exposure to other cultures and people. It also allows students to take weekend trips away.
The culture of the city is one of creativity and the thrill of life. The local phrases "tranquilo" [calm] and "no pasa nada" [no problem] are heard every day, and are truly representative of the people. Their creativity in arts, culture and business is pervasive within the MBA as well.
It is amazing being able to see the perseverance of the city through the economic crisis and its ingenuity in capturing tourism, fostering arts, and creating opportunities for foreigners to integrate into its way of life and contribute to society.
You're the vice president of the Net Impact and Women in Business clubs:
A) Why is it important for MBA students to consider social impact?
With business having increasing impact across the globe — in terms of resources, government influences, trade agreements, and social rights — the ability for managers at all levels to understand the impact of their decisions is imperative.
ESADE seeks to not train the best of the world, but the best for the world. This is the cornerstone of the education here.
B) What work is the WIB Club doing to promote gender diversity in school and business?
We have made an effort to understand and increase the number of women entering the MBA program through surveys and direct conversations with program management. We have continuously created events throughout campus on the education of women - and minority rights - and the subsequent benefits of their inclusion as equals in the business world.
This club, however, is not limited to the MBA. It is a product of the University and includes both the BBA and MSC students.
What are your future career plans?
I have attempted to keep my options open throughout the entire ESADE experience. Over time I have fallen in love with the city and would love to stay here and work within the hospitality industry in sales.
However, the economic recovery is still in swing and instability threatens my ability to do this. The necessity to not only be fluent in Spanish (I didn't speak a work of it before moving here, and it is still intermediate) but in Catalan as well creates barriers to staying.
I have worked at creating my own business that will be based out of Los Angeles, www.lagbt.com. It is a company that caters to the LGBT community and people who desire to travel to LA by creating personal concierge services and travel experiences.
What advice do you have for people who are applying to business school?
Do it! It is a challenge to be sure, to work, study for the GMAT, and hold some semblance of your life prior to doing an MBA. But it is worth it.
I know there are generally a lot of doubts about what the right school is, and if it’s worth the money. However, I would encourage people considering to do an MBA to look past these decision points. It is the personal journey that is far more worthwhile. An MBA changes you and really is all about the journey — not the destination.
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