MBA Alumni Profile: Manuel Baumann, Florida Chapman

Manuel Baumann obtained his MBA from Florida Chapman and tells where his path has led onwards.

1. What were you doing before your MBA?

I worked for Siemens in Germany, as an inhouse eProcurement consultant.      

2. What were your main reasons for deciding to attend business school?

Getting the necessary degree to re-enter the Latin American labor market after some years out of the continent.
Re-actualize my knowledge about finance, strategy and marketing.
Get an international contacts network.

3. What research did you undertake in selecting your school?

Once I had focused on the type of program I wanted (12 months intensive), most of my research was done on the web, researching rankings, and buying documentation that contained many Universities program contents.

4. What were the main criteria in your selection?

Since I wanted to re-enter the Latin market, the University had to have some corresponding affinity. Also the professor's curricula were closely looked at. Program extension was also an issue, since was already married and had two children at that time.

5. Why did you decide to study either in your own country or overseas?

I wanted to be around international students, and live some more years overseas, before I returned to South America to settle down.

6. How well do your think the MBA is regarded in your home country?

An MBA as such is indispensable nowadays in order to be considered for higher positions in the Chilean industry. The Chapman's Graduate School of Business' MBA is beginning to be recognized as one of the best in Florida.

7. Are there any well-known and/or successful entrepreneurs that are alumni of your school?

Dean De La Torre, among others, is a much respected entrepreneur in the US.