Fernando Riera Riolfo, 43, a corporate credit executive at the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay (BROU), shares his experience studying to become a Foreign Trade Analyst at Universidad ORT Uruguay.
-In what year did you choose to study at Universidad ORT Uruguay, and why?
-I started my degree program in 2008. The reasons I chose Universidad ORT Uruguay : the faculty’s track record, the curriculum, the class schedules, the facilities, and the university’s reputation and prestige both nationally and internationally.
-What did you value most about college?
-Its organization, personalized attention, facilities, and the dedication of the faculty and administrative staff.
-How did you come up with the idea of pursuing this degree?
-I have always been interested in international relations, particularly in the area of international trade. In my view, the development of “healthy” trade ties—that is, diversified, stable, and long-term relationships—is essential for our country.
-How did the race go for you?
-Excellent.
-What do you remember about your college days?
-To my teammates.
-What would you highlight about the program?
-The quality of education provided, the academic rigor, the organization, and the hierarchy of the faculty.
-When did you start working?
-I started working in 1990 at a newsstand. In 1991, I applied for a position at Udelar, where I remained until the end of 1992. That same year, I applied for a position as an administrative assistant at BROU in branches located in the interior of the country. In early 1993, I joined the bank where I still work today.
-How did your degree prepare you for the job market?
-My goal has been and remains to explore alternatives to my current job situation. In that regard, I’ve received some offers, but they couldn’t work out because they lacked flexible hours. As for the bank, although my current role isn’t specifically in the Foreign Trade department, many of the things I learned in college have been extremely helpful.
-What are your plans for the future?
-To do my part in helping to develop the country's trade relations by doing what I love most: market research.