Daniel Ramirez

Why did you decide to study for an MBA?

I had reached a stage in my career where I wanted to pursue a leadership role. Gaining an MBA qualification would help me to achieve my goals.

What were your reasons for choosing Leeds University Business School?

Leeds University Business School is a renowned Business School in the UK, and I was delighted to be offered a scholarship for Leeds. I was attracted to the cohort size, only 40 students. This size makes the Leeds MBA special. Finally, the one year programme fitted with my timeline for studying and returning to work.

What is the best part of your studies? What are you enjoying the most?         

Because we are a small cohort, only 40 students, we have all learnt from each other. We have students from a wealth of nationalities, which has helped me to understand how to work with colleagues from all around the world.

Have you taken part in any additional activities? What are the key highlights?

I did the GGS Study tour to Germany with a couple of my MBA classmates. It was incredible to learn about Germany's training programs and SME culture and share with other students all around the world.

Did you have any other noteworthy experiences/highlights during your time at Leeds?

I really enjoyed meeting other Latin students in Leeds from other programmes. We made a small community here and shared our experiences and culture with each other. For example, we cooked dinners for each other to share our local foods.

What have you learnt/experienced at the Business School that will help you in future career roles?

Because I've always been a finance person, I wasn't as aware of other areas of business. Now I have a broader perspective of the company rather than just a specific area. This will help me in the future as I progress to more senior business roles.

Have you used the services of the Professional Development Tutor/ Executive Careers Consultant? If yes, how would you describe your experience?

The Career Farm services were very good because we were taught to enhance our CV and LinkedIn profile with the help of a professional head hunter. This service was something I hadn’t experienced during my Bachelor degree and I think it will be very helpful for my next steps.

What would you say is your defining memory of studying here is?

My defining memories are the moments which helped me establish my life priorities - what is important to me and what isn’t. Studying an MBA at Leeds has helped me to realise my pride in my work, my family and my culture.

Overall how would you describe your Leeds MBA experience?

My best friends from my MBA experience are classmates from India, China and the UK. I have learned so much about international cultures, things that not in a million years I thought I would have learned.

What was your previous role and organisation before studying for an MBA?

I worked as a financial manager for a construction company in Colombia. The company builds roads, bridges, tunnels and power plants. I was responsible for project valuation and treasury.

What is your impression/experience of the facilities, the staff, your peers, the City of Leeds and the region itself?

The staff made themselves fully available to support us throughout the whole year. The University has some very impressive facilities, such as the MBA boardroom, extensive libraries, and technology. I was also very impressed with the architecture.

The city of Leeds is just perfect for students, is not too big not too small, and everything is suitable for students. It is very easy to travel from Leeds to any major city in the world.