We’ve covered a number of scholarship offers available at MIP Politecnico di Milano and this week we caught up with Eleonora Smith, a US native who won the MIP for Women Scholarship this year.
Eleonora was born in Russia but moved to the USA when she was eight. She gained her Bachelors in Business Administration and Finance from Georgia State University in 2009 and worked as a pricing analyst for pulp and paper manufacturer Georgia Pacific Ltd, and as an operations manager for design firm USI.
Eleonora has travelled widely since she was 15, is fluent in English, Italian and Russian and is bent on building an international career. We find out her tactics for the scholarship application and how she wants to build her career after the MBA.
Why didn’t you go to business school in the US?
Since learning the language, I’ve wanted to live in Italy. In high school, I learned Russia but I was interested in Italian so I picked up an Italian book and started working on it. When I was at college I also spent some time in Italy on exchange. Notwithstanding the many inefficiencies, I love it! I love the people and I feel at home. I never felt at home in the US. Because I’m Russian, I always had people making silly jokes. People would ask me if I wanted some vodka and I had to explain that I wasn’t a communist.
I wanted to live in a place where people went on vacation to but I didn’t just want to go on vacation. I wanted to live there permanently. There is so much history here and not just the typical tourist attractions. Every stone has a story to tell. Even when trains go on strike and you have to walk for three hours, all you can do is laugh.
Did you only consider business schools in Italy?
I've known I wanted an international career since I completed my first degree. I didn’t have enough experience for the types of roles I wanted. I got a job offer from Georgia Pacific, and I said to myself: “In two years, if you are still here then pack your bags and head to Europe and find a way to stay there. Legally, of course”.
After my last trip to Europe, I got off the plane and my mother saw how sad I looked. I only felt like I was living when I was away and this just wasn’t practical. In the US all I did was go to work and sit and home. You couldn’t even walk anywhere because the roads in Atlanta aren’t pedestrian friendly.
My mum said why don’t you apply to business school. I already had two years of work experience at that point so I shortlisted the best Italian schools and applied. I got a response from MIP a week later and got the scholarship response immediately too.
What made you apply for the scholarship? Did you say anything special in your application?
Funnily, I tend to be really against scholarships that are not merit-based. I feel that by trying to give special groups special treatment, it reinforces the feeling of inequality. To apply for this scholarship, we were asked to write a 500-word essay explaining why we think less women than men pursue MBAs. I wrote that women as a whole tend to be less ambitious. They want to have families and are waiting for their boyfriends to put a ring on it. These goals are difficult to align with a high flying career.
It’s a tough choice to make but if you look at the men who are running the Fortune 500 companies, they’ve all been divorced at least twice, and only see their children once a year. This is also not a very nice situation to be in but it’s easier to do as a man.
How are you hoping the MBA will shape your career?
I would like to remain in Italy but this depends on getting a job here. I really want to get into consulting. In fact, I had an interview with Boston Consulting Group on Friday. It went well but I need to practice my case interviews some more. I’m also open to opportunities in Moscow. I’m going there for an exchange in March and I’m looking forward to being there after being away for so long. No one knows the future so you can only give 100 per cent and hope for the best.
Do you have any advice for women who are considering business school but are hesitant?
An MBA is definitely worth it and doing one outside your home country is a great career advantage. If you want to work in Italy or in any other country that doesn’t speak your native language, start learning the language before you leave. Many schools provide classes but those classes won’t be enough to get you to a very high level if you are a complete beginner. They will also only make a difference if you put in an effort.
Among my colleagues who are learning Italian, the results are really clear in those who are making the effort. Learning the language beforehand also helps you have a better cultural experience. You miss out on so much when you don’t speak the language.
MIP Politecnico di Milano is offering suitable candidates the chance to apply for the Boston Consulting Group Scholarship. This includes the chance to be considered for a three month in-company project work with the firm. If you are interested in the luxury sector, you can apply for the Moncler Scholarship which gives the winner the chance to carry out their MBA project working with the firm. To read more stories about students, programmes and alumni at MIP Politecnico di Milano, click here.
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