Etelvina Guerra, a graduate of the Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Administrationprogram at Universidad ORT Uruguay, is currently pursuing the International MBA at EAE Business Schoolas part of an exchange program at Pace University. She spoke about her early career, her growth in the financial sector, and her current professional journey.
What are you doing right now?
In September 2017, after 10 years working in the financial sector, I enrolled in an MBA program at EAE Business School. The program is split into two parts: one half takes place in Barcelona and the other at Pace University in New York. The time was right to make the move. I had always wanted to study in New York, and this was my chance.
I didn't do any study abroad programs while I was at ORT, and after I graduated, I did a master's degree in Uruguay. I've always wanted to study abroad, but it's not that easy. Now was the right time to come.
There are many great aspects to living abroad: gaining new knowledge, making connections with people from around the world, and encountering different ways of thinking. Every day there’s a new place to explore. Yesterday, for example, we visited Bloomberg—which is like a systems engineer visiting Google.
It’s incredible. When you add in the experience you can gain in the classroom, I think having the chance to live abroad is a gift. Especially if you work in the financial sector. Being here is like being in a movie. From an academic standpoint, it’s always a plus. Even if you’re studying the same subject, the cultures around you and the experiences are different. It’s a rich learning experience and a win-win situation. It’s hard to leave and miss home, but that’s part of the process.
How do you see yourself in relation to your classmates in the MBA program?
Having a background in management and administration—the bachelor’s degree I earned at ORT—provided me with a solid foundation for pursuing an MBA.
Many of my classmates have a background in business administration, but there are also engineers, architects, and even a robotics major. It’s interesting because the dynamics are very similar to those of my undergraduate program, in terms of case studies and teamwork. But sharing the classroom with people from different academic backgrounds makes the experience completely different.
Earning an MBA—even though we’ve already covered many similar topics in our undergraduate program—gives you the opportunity to interact with people from different industries, ranging from professionals working in various types of organizations to business owners.
What has your journey been like as a student and a professional?
I always studied hard. Two years after I started my degree program at ORT, it became very difficult for me to continue my studies due to financial reasons. The university encouraged me to keep going, and I was able to secure a scholarship based on my academic performance.
At the graduation ceremony, they presented an award for academic excellence, which was based on academic performance. I received it. It was a surprise—I didn't even know such an award existed.
This is my second master’s degree; my first was in finance. I don’t pursue them just to collect degrees and diplomas. It’s typical of me to seek out experiences so I can learn as much as possible. A boss once told me I was restless because I was always looking for new challenges, motivation, and growth. I know I work hard to make things turn out the best they can, but I’ve also been very lucky and have had the chance to work with wonderful people; that’s what it means to be fortunate.
My goal was to finish my degree in four years. In the last few months, I had everything ready to move back to Maldonado, where I’m from. I was submitting my business plan and handing over my apartment. That’s when the opportunity arose to do an internship at ABN AMRO Bank. It was my first work experience. Thanks to that, I stayed in Montevideo.
My opportunity at ABN AMRO came through the “Young Talents” training program. The entrance exam involved a competition with over 2,000 participants from universities across the country, of whom only 10 were selected for a program lasting a year and a half. To some extent, my career began with that internship. It opened the door for me to spend five years at HSBC, where I worked as an account executive.
Given my concerns, it wasn’t the right time to stay at the bank. My next job was at a brokerage firm, where they allowed me to pursue my MBA. The company had never before allowed anyone to take an unpaid leave of absence to study abroad. They gave me that opportunity, and to me, it was a gift—the icing on the cake. It was a very difficult decision to make.
It’s really hard to move to another country to study when you have a good job and are happy with it, but it’s a huge professional asset. Even though it takes time, it’s worth it. I highly recommend it. There are plenty of opportunities out there. You just have to take the plunge, look for them, and be patient.