Agustina Michelin, a graduate of the Bachelor’s program in Management and Administration at Universidad ORT Uruguay, an MBA from INSEAD, and an Associate at McKinsey & Company (Madrid), shared her experience pursuing one of the world’s most prestigious business graduate programs, the skills she gained at ORT, and her professional career.
You completed the INSEAD MBA, one of the most prestigious programs in the world. What was that experience like?
It was an incredible experience that was both personally and professionally enriching. I never imagined I would be in a class with students from over 90 different countries. Every discussion was a cultural exchange that helped me put the various challenges companies face into perspective.
And, without a doubt, having the chance to live in a city as beautiful as Fontainebleau, where every run ended with a view of the château, made the MBA experience even more special.
What tools did ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Administration provide you with to achieve this?
The bachelor's degree program prepares you very well for your entry into the professional world. In my case, it gave me not only the tools but also the confidence to launch my career. The hands-on exercises allow you to make mistakes and learn quickly in a safe environment. Thanks to all those "setbacks," I feel I entered the professional world well prepared.
What was the most important thing you learned at INSEAD?
Academically, it allowed me to strengthen my knowledge of strategy and finance.
Not only did we study the case studies of these companies, but we also had the opportunity to hear directly from the people involved in the cases as they shared their experiences with us.
Beyond the academic side of things, I feel I’ve grown a lot personally and in terms of leadership. From day one, the university assigns you a coach who supports you throughout the year and helps you find your own unique leadership style.
What has your career path been like?
I started out working at Sacramento Management on digital marketing and revenue management. I then moved to LATAM Airlines in Uruguay, where I was in charge of e-commerce. A year later, they offered me a position in Chile overseeing e-commerce for all the markets where LATAM Airlines operated. That’s where my career outside of Uruguay began.
In Chile, I started out focusing on e-commerce, but through one of life’s twists and turns, I ended up working in digital as a Product Owner and learning about software architecture. After three years, I decided to embark on the adventure of pursuing an MBA, and that’s how I ended up at INSEAD and McKinsey & Company.
Looking back, how would you rate the skills you gained from ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Administration?
I think the program strikes a great balance between theory and practice. has very experienced. Since you can customize the courses you take, I feel I gained the marketing skills I needed to enter the job market without losing sight of the company’s financial and operational aspects.
Throughout your career, you have held key roles in marketing and digital business. Specifically in these areas, what tools did ORT provide you with to help you excel in these roles?
It wasn't just the marketing tools. I think the most valuable aspect of the Bachelor's Degree in Management and Administration is the comprehensive perspective you gain on the different areas of a company because, to grow within them and be a good leader, you need to understand how all the areas work together and how to get the most out of each one. In marketing, for example, you need to know how to communicate with the finance department so they don't see you as just an expense.
You currently work at McKinsey, a leading strategic consulting firm. What are your challenges and responsibilities there?
In January, I started working at McKinsey & Company in Madrid as an associate, focusing on digital issues. Given the way we work, the challenge is constant: learning about a new industry, analyzing a problem and finding solutions, and, above all, building a relationship of trust with the client so we can work together.
What advice would you give to younger generations?
First of all, be determined to achieve what you want. This doesn't mean you have to be assertive all the time. It's normal to make mistakes sometimes, but it's important to reach that goal so you can learn from them.
Second, be curious. Often, our brains are lazy and settle for the first explanation they come across. However, problems are usually understood only after analyzing them in depth.
Finally, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Especially when you have the chance to try things out in a very safe environment during your career. To be honest, at first, when I decided to move to Chile, I wasn’t sure, but I’d rather make a mistake than not try at all.
In what areas do you think the younger generation needs training to thrive in today's world?
Today, there are many different specializations, and everyone will choose based on their personal interests, which will allow them to enjoy their work more. That’s why I believe it’s important to develop soft skills. I think it’s vital to understand your own leadership style and how to adapt to different work teams, because that’s something we’ll rarely be able to choose.