As part of IESE’s commitment to lifelong learning, we have recently launched the IESE MiM-MBA Dual Master’s Degree which allows IESE MiM graduates with 3 years of work experience or more to enroll directly into the second year of the MBA. This unique opportunity to complete their MBA in 11 months is only available to IESE MiM graduates. In this post, we talk to a current MiM-MBA student Maria Sendagorta, MBA 25 to find out more about her experience.
Hi Maria! Please tell us about yourself.
I’m originally from Madrid, but I’ve had the chance to live in cities like Dublin, London, Amsterdam, and now, Barcelona. I’m passionate about sports and wellbeing, which led me to work at Nike after completing my MIM. My goal is to continue contributing to people’s wellbeing even after my MBA. Before my MIM, I studied international business and took a gap year to travel and volunteer in places like India and Colombia. It was a life-changing experience that gave me a broader perspective on global communities.
How was your IESE MiM experience? What made you choose IESE?
The IESE MiM was truly transformative for me. Not only did I learn from top-tier professors, but I also forged lifelong friendships. I was drawn to IESE’s people-centered philosophy and the incredibly high caliber of both the faculty and my peers. The continuous challenges pushed me to grow both personally and professionally.
Now that you’ve been working for several years, what made you decide to pursue your MBA? What do you hope to gain from it?
After three years of work, I realized there was more I wanted to learn and a desire to pivot into a role better suited to my strengths. With the MBA, I hope to strengthen my network, engage with like-minded individuals, and gain the clarity needed to pursue a career that combines my passion for wellbeing and business strategy. The community aspect of the MBA is something I value deeply.
I had an amazing time working at Nike in Amsterdam and learnt a lot before deciding to go back to IESE.
What made you come back to IESE for the MiM-MBA Dual Masters Degree? Did you consider applying to other MBA programs?
While I was on the job hunt and going through interviews, I received an email from IESE about the MiM-MBA Dual Masters Degree. I instantly set up a call to learn more. Although I hadn’t initially planned on doing an MBA because of potential academic redundancy, the idea of expanding my learning with new professors, students, and courses was a game-changer. IESE has a unique environment that I couldn’t resist.
How is it being back at IESE so far? How have your classes been?
Being back feels both nostalgic and refreshing. There’s a sense of familiarity with the professors, case studies, and even the iconic name tag, but it’s also new and exciting. The diversity of student backgrounds is incredibly rich. With over 350 second-year students and 440 first-years, it’s a bigger group than my MiM cohort of 80, which is very exciting and the amount of events and opportunities to connect is infinite.
What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
I’m looking forward to connecting with my peers and learning from their diverse experiences. I’m eager to gain clarity on my career path while soaking up knowledge from inspiring professors and engaging events. It’s all about leveraging this wealth of information to shape my future career and understand how I can contribute meaningfully in my next role.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I feel incredibly grateful to be part of both the MIM and MBA programs. Having experienced the MiM in Madrid and now the MBA in Barcelona, I’ve gained a clearer perspective on what truly matters and how to maximize this MBA experience. I’m thankful for IESE’s commitment to creating such a unique and valuable program, and I hope it continues to grow.
I am so glad to be part of the IESE community!
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