Juan Jose Criado
HR Director (Mexico), Alcon
Global Online MBA

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am 34 years old, married and have a dog. I am a professional in corporate communication, but I have been working in Human Resources for more than 10 years in different sectors such as energy, technology, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals. I am Peruvian, but I currently reside in Mexico.

What first attracted you to Warwick Business School?

I think that the level of attention to students, the educational quality of the program and the good references I had received about the university were some of the things that caught my attention when deciding where to study an MBA.

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

The quality of the teachers and the content we receive, the study format and the flexibility I have to study the programme at my own pace. Also, I like the diversity of countries and cultures that we have in our cohort, because it greatly enriches the experience.

What is it like studying for an MBA?

I think it's a very big challenge, especially when you have a full-time job, but I also think it's a life-changing experience. It allows you to develop new perspectives on business and invites you to question many things.

Tell us about the community at Warwick Business School.

In general, it is a very open and enthusiastic group, with a great willingness to exchange opinions, both personal and professional. The professors are of a very high level and very willing to help. Every day I learn something different from a colleague or a staff member.

Has the Leadership module had an impact on your leadership style?

Yes, it made me detect many personal characteristics regarding my leadership style and evaluate other leaders as well. It also gave me a broader perspective on leadership, types of leaders and the transcendence they have in the business world.

What kind of support have you receive from the careers team?

From the coaching sessions to the career connection events, I think they have helped me to understand that I am in the right place in terms of my professional career and what my options are for the future.

Can you tell us about your career plans?

Within my next career steps, I would like to take a regional position in the company where I am or maybe explore another sector. In two to three years, I would like to move from Mexico to get involved in operations in the US or Europe.

What did you hope to get out of our programme?

I think I found exactly what I was looking for and that was to complement my human resources experience with a more holistic view of operations and the business itself. As you grow in an organisation, you come across decisions that are not necessarily within our expertise and it is important to understand how business works in order to make them correctly.

How did you find the work/life balance?

Sometimes it is difficult, but I think that if you manage to be strict and disciplined with your times, it is possible to balance both. Definitely the workload of the MBA is a challenge, but with a little organisation, it is possible to manage it in a healthy way.

Find out more about the Global Online MBA programme.
(Our Distance Learning MBA has a new name - the Global Online MBA)