Leo’s inspiring journey reminds us that combining technical expertise with a broad business perspective is key to creating impactful leaders.
“I’ve been interested in science and engineering since I was a little kid,” begins Chia-Yu (Leo) Hsiao, MiM’24, who studied Energy Engineering at the National Taipei University of Technology, ranked #1 in Taiwan for this field. “I dreamed of becoming a scientist, an inventor, an engineer, an astronaut—any cool science-related profession.”
Leo’s passion for problem-solving began early, competing in robotics tournaments in elementary school, pursuing electrical engineering in vocational high school, and specializing in energy engineering at university. “I think like an engineer, and I enjoy solving tough problems,” he shares.
But at age 20, during his first internship, Leo’s perspective began to evolve.
The Turning Point: Beyond Technical Expertise
“It was my introduction to the corporate world,” Leo recalls. “I realized that solving challenges required more than fixing errors. It demanded understanding broader dynamics—how sales, operations, and technical teams worked together. Impact is created through collaboration between different teams.”
This realization sparked his ambition to become a cross-functional professional. “I wanted to connect resources and create impact across domains. Pursuing an education that balanced technical depth with business breadth became my goal, leading me to IESE’s Master in Management (MiM) program.”
Why IESE? A Holistic and Supportive Experience
Leo describes the mix of rational and emotional factors that drew him to IESE MiM:
- Holistic Business Perspective
“During my internship, I saw how payment terms affect business operations and how company policies influence employee behavior. These sparked my curiosity in topics beyond engineering. I wanted a perspective as comprehensive as a map—one that shows the big picture while allowing me to zoom into important details.”
“IESE MiM does more than deliver a holistic view of business. Knowledge is streamlined to focus on the most crucial elements, making the learning process efficient and impactful. By solving case problems, I was repeatedly trained to think systematically without even realizing it.”
- Supportive Learning Environment
“As a reserved Asian engineer, I lacked confidence, even in my native language. At IESE, I found a supportive environment where I could practice soft skills through communication bootcamps, group discussions, and class participation. The diversity of the class played a pivotal role in helping me overcome my fears.”
- Unmatched Support from the IESE Family
“The Career Development Center (CDC) provided everything from career planning lectures to one-on-one coaching. The job search process was like a bumpy road, but the CDC consultants gave me the courage to fail and get closer to my goals. I also appreciated how professors were always accessible, reinforcing IESE’s true ‘open-door policy.’”
“The highlight for me was networking events with senior executives. Listening to their stories helped shape my career aspirations.”
A Journey Toward Leadership
“Engineers are the cornerstone of the modern world, and they will continue to shape the future,” Leo says. “My goal is to leverage my engineering background to become a cross-functional leader. Attending IESE was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Cheers to the process! I hope everyone reading this finds their own most desirable way to achieve their goals—perhaps with IESE as one of the options.”
 Hsiao MiM’24 Shares His IESE Journey){kind=link}