Name: Yael Oppenheimer
Age: 23
High School: San Felipe and Santiago de Montevideo Pre-University Program
Degree Program: Bachelor's Degree in Management and Administration
Occupation: Process Auditor at Deloitte
Interview published in November 2010.
In 2007, she began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Management and Administration at ORT University. In 2010, she began working in the Operations Department of the National Agency for Research and Innovation. She currently works as a Process Auditor at Deloitte.
- Why did you decide to study at ORT University?
- I attended several informational sessions at ORT. The second time was with Enrique Kramer, the Academic Coordinator of the Bachelor’s Program in Management and Administration, and during that session I realized that this was the right major for me, and I knew that ORT was the most prestigious university.
- How would you rate the course?
- I really enjoyed my time at ORT. The facilities provide everything you need, and the professors are excellent; each one brings their professional and life experience to every course. Another important aspect is the quality of the staff at ORT: the Registrar’s Office, the Library, the Cafeteria, Security, and Housekeeping.
- What stage of your career are you in?
- I am currently finishing up my last four courses, and next semester I will be working on my business plan. Being at ORT allows you to start building your own network—connections that will be key to our professional growth in the future.
- When did you start working?
- I started working in 2010 while I was in my seventh semester. I got my first job through the Graduate Coordination Office of the School of Management and Social Sciences, and it was as an intern in the Operations Department at the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII). In this role, I focused on assisting with the management of various calls for proposals, with a particular emphasis on the Health Fund and the Research Initiation Grants.
- Where do you currently work?
- I’m currently working at my second job, which I also secured through the Graduate Coordination Office. I’m an Assistant in Deloitte’s Enterprise Risk Services (ERS) Department. I joined the firm in September 2010 and am responsible for conducting process audits for the firm’s various clients. It’s a unique experience that allows me to gain insight into the inner workings of different companies, in addition to being part of such a large and prestigious multinational firm.
- Have you ever participated in a student exchange program?
- Yes, I attended Babson College in the United States from August through December 2009. It was a unique experience. You meet people from all over the world, from different cultures, and everyone shares the same desire to learn and experience this new chapter in their lives. It was an enriching opportunity that really opened my eyes.
- Do you think ORT prepared you for the job market?
- I think ORT prepares you for a lot of things. The first few years are all about theory. Then you choose your specialization, focus on what you like, and the classes become more practical. As Kramer would say: “That’s where the rubber meets the road.” When you start working, you realize the parallels between what you learn in class and what happens in real life. You start thinking about those cases where the dilemmas are just like the ones you’re facing at work.
- What are your plans for the future?
- I’m clear on two things I want to do in the future: earn an MBA (Master of Business Administration) abroad and start my own business. These are typical cliché answers, but that’s what I want to achieve in my life. These are the things that, aside from my family, will make me feel fulfilled—that the effort was my own and that I achieved it on my own.