After completing her bachelor’s degree in International Studies at ORT, María Barboza earned a master’s degree in Logistics and International Trade from Abat Oliba University and an MBA from ESADE Business & Law School. Currently the marketing and communications manager for Spain and Portugal at Russell Hobbs, Barboza discussed her academic and professional background, the challenges she has faced, and how her undergraduate degree complements the various graduate programs she has completed.
–Why did you choose to pursue ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies?
–When I finished high school, I knew which fields I didn’t like; in other words, I knew what I didn’t want to pursue. On the other hand, there were many things I did like, but I couldn’t find a single degree program that covered them all.
At that point, a relative mentioned that ORT offered a bachelor’s degree in International Studies, which didn’t limit you to just foreign affairs or business.
I thought it was a good opportunity to keep my career options open and figure out what I really enjoyed.
I went to ORT for an open house, where I met several graduates of the program, looked over the curriculum, and found everything interesting.
–What has your career path been like?
–My career began thanks to an acquaintance from college. A classmate told me that her company, which was in the trading business, needed someone who spoke English and Portuguese, and that they would be posting a job opening on the ORT job board. That afternoon, I wrote my first resume, submitted it, had an interview two days later, and by the third day, they told me I had the job.
To my surprise, when I told my family, they weren't too thrilled. The plan was for me to finish my degree, not to start working before graduating, but the truth is that study time is much more productive when you're working.
That’s when my career in international trade began—with numbers, Excel spreadsheets, calculations… everything I didn’t like. But as I got more involved in the company’s day-to-day operations, I discovered the field of logistics: containers, ports, hubs, lead times. It all seemed fast-paced, interesting, and full of different elements like suppliers, customers, efficiencies, and bottlenecks. After finishing my degree, my parents encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree to specialize. That’s when I decided I wanted to work in international trade, so I could experience firsthand the logistics issues I was passionate about.
–You’re currently the Marketing & Communications Manager for Spain and Portugal at Russell Hobbs and Remington. How did you end up working there?
–It’s quite an interesting story. I applied for a position as logistics & customer service manager for Spain and Portugal at Russell Hobbs and Remington, one of the brands owned by Spectrum Brands. It’s a multinational company that was transitioning from a distribution model to a direct-to-consumer business model in those countries.
So I spent three years setting up all the operations, from the simplest to the most complex processes: SAP modules, warehouse selection, transferring distributor contracts with customers to us, transportation tenders, and building a team.
In the end, we had to start serving customers in person, but we didn't have the infrastructure in place in Spain. We had to set everything up, and it had to work for Portugal as well. In the middle of this process, I was put in charge of the Administration Department. Given my age at the time, it was a huge responsibility, but I didn't feel the weight of it. I had a great time.
Once the structure was in place, the company acquired new brands. And they all became part of my responsibilities. They were new projects with new challenges, so the time—a little over six years—flew by.
I have always sought solutions to meet my clients’ evolving needs, grown alongside them, and maintained a strong working relationship.
After managing three departments within the company, I decided to refresh my skills and earned an Executive MBA from ESADE. When the position of Director of Communications and Marketing became available, I was offered the role because they felt I was a versatile professional and that, with the knowledge I had gained from the MBA, I could contribute even more.
–What skills did your degree provide you with that are useful in your current job?
–Above all, it gave me a very broad perspective, allowing me to analyze and look beyond the immediate problems. Sometimes I see professionals who are very skilled in their fields, but they don’t look around or ask themselves questions about it.
My degree has given me an understanding of corporate structures, trade regulations, and the law. It has allowed me to observe the political and macroeconomic landscape —which is extremely important today given what is happening in Catalonia. It has pushed me to work hard and improve my skills with numbers, which I no longer fear. In addition, my first exposure to marketing also came during my studies.
–You earned a master’s degree in Logistics and International Trade from Abat Oliba University. What did you think of the experience?
–It was an interesting experience, applied to the tangible reality of the international arena. A very useful tool.
–You also earned an MBA from ESADE Business & Law School. What was it like studying at that school? How did your background compare to that of your classmates?
–ESADE is ranked among the top 20 business schools in the world. Studying there was an exceptional experience and opportunity. I highly recommend it.
The course load, the effort required, and the level of rigor were high. But I didn’t feel out of place at all compared to my classmates, most of whom had studied at universities in Europe and at prestigious institutions. The high standards and the focus on striving for excellence in the classroom reminded me of my time at ORT. I think the foundation I had built was very important during this period.
–How does your degree in International Studies complement the graduate programs you completed in business administration and logistics?
–I believe that International Studies and Logistics open the door to the world of operations. On the one hand, logistics provides the technical aspects of operations, while International Studies helps us understand the broader context in which they take place.
The MBA, combined with International Studies, offers tremendous potential for understanding the business world as a whole—not only at the local level but also globally—including all the factors that influence companies and the evolution of business.