Tell us a bit about yourself

I moved to London in summer 2019 from Gavirate, a small town on Lake Varese, to take up a position at my company’s headquarters. I have worked in finance for 20 years, holding various roles in management accounting, consolidation, and financial control. In my free time, I like playing tennis and going to the gym, and I enjoy going to concerts and sporting events in London.

What first attracted you to Warwick Business School?

The focus on leading change, reflected in its motto “for the open minded”, resonated with me as it reflects the new challenges facing the tech industry, where I work. The location at The Shard and the programme’s strong position in the Financial Times ranking also attracted me.

Why did you ultimately choose Warwick Business School for your MBA?

I enjoyed visiting The Shard and meeting the staff. After reviewing the programme and the faculty, I felt that WBS offered a high-quality education at a more affordable price compared to many comparable institutions.

What elements of the programme do you value the most and why?

I enjoyed the finance related modules - Financial Management, Corporate Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions. I also enjoyed others related to leadership and organisational behaviour.

The quality of professors was excellent, and I liked the programme’s emphasis on critical thinking. Every module had a lot of connections to the business world with a lot of interesting guest speakers. I enjoyed the overseas module in Dubai, as it allowed me to meet international students and the local WBS community.

What is it like studying for an MBA?

It’s a proficient and challenging experience. It’s not easy to balance work and study, but the MBA is giving me valuable tools to succeed.

Tell us about the community at Warwick Business School.

I meet a lot of skilled and interesting people. I’m enjoying the multicultural environment and learning new things from people from diverse backgrounds.

Has the Leadership module had an impact on your leadership style? If so, in what way?

Yes, it has helped me to consider various points of view, as understanding others is fundamental to be effective as a leader.

What kind of support have you received from the careers team? How has it helped you?

The CareersPlus team has helped highlight the differences between working in Italy, where I have spent most of my career, and working in the UK and elsewhere – particularly in terms of bureaucracy and hierarchy. I’m looking forward to doing the free sessions with professional coaches to receive personalised advice.

Can you tell us about your career plans? What’s next for you?

I would like to become a Finance Director to better influence a company’s decisions. The MBA has helped me to gain strategic skills and think outside operational finance tasks.

What do you hope to get out of our programme? What have you actually got so far?

I hope to acquire a strategic mindset. I like to open my mind to new approaches and cultures, and the MBA has helped me with this, as I have met so many different people from diverse backgrounds (especially during my elective in Dubai). I have also enjoyed the open discussions during the lessons with my cohort, which are always well moderated by professors, who encourage debate.

How do you find the work/life balance?

It’s hard to balance work, life and an MBA but I found a nice balance after some months of study. Gym and tennis help me to manage the stress. As lessons are interesting and the professors are very competent, this helps enjoyment overcome tiredness.

Do you have any advice for anyone currently thinking about studying for an MBA?

Don’t be afraid to take on this experience; it seems like a big commitment when you start, but you will enjoy the journey. Meeting people from around the world is a great added value. It will change your perspective, and you will grow personally and professionally.