MBA Student Profile: Pedro Grau, University of Rochester

 Pedro Grau tells us how an MBA from the University of Rochester will help him develop as a manager.

1. What were you doing before your MBA?

I was working full time in Barcelona, Spain as After-sales area manager for Volkswagen - Audi Espa'a S.A. The Volkswagen A.G. subsidiary in Spain

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

Two main reasons: Since I was in collage, I had clear that I would study a MBA at some point in my professional career. My engineering background combined with the MBA I believe gives you an extremely strong academic preparation for the business world. In addition, I was not very happy in Volkswagen at the time I decided to apply for a MBA. The job was pretty good, however I wanted to boost my career and the professional situation in Volkswagen required a change, and therefore, I decided it was the right time to purse my MBA.    

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

I did quite research. In my application process I was counselled by two academies that help you out with the essays, resume, GMAT They also helped me out with the school research. In addition, I used my business websites, the one I used the most was businessweek website.      

4. What were the main criteria in your selection?

First, I decided to pursue my MBA in US; therefore, although I applied a couple of European Schools, I focus my decision in US schools. The rankings from business publications, such as BW, US News, FT, WSJ, influenced my decision; not only the current ranking, but also the historical ones. Simon had a pretty steady 20-30 ranking position along its history. In addition the size of the class was critical for me. I was looking for a relative small class. Finally, I visited some schools during my interviews process; the facilities of Simon impressed me as well as the students and the environment. I looked to the students profile pretty closely; I wanted to learn not only from the professors but also from my future colleagues. The average age and the high level of international students were very important as well. Simon is the top 30 school in the US with more percentage of international students.    

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

I was not only looking for an education but also for a great experience. To have the possibility of learning from other people from around the globe is extraordinary. In addition, I had the opportunity to visit the States many times before, and I was always impressed by the attitude and way to do business here. Since I was a teenager I wanted to live in the US. The Americans invented the MBA degree, and they have a lot of excellent of business schools around the country. Finally, to move and study abroad is always a challenge; it is much easier to stay at home, where everything is familiar and easy. The difficulties that you have to overcome in a foreign country better prepares you for the future.     

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

This is hard to evaluate. Simon is not very popular in Spain. However, I think is a product that can be sold extraordinary well: a MBA in a top school in the US is something that many recruiters would find impressive, particularly because there are very few Spanish people graduated from an American Business school. In my particular case, I think would be even better because I already have a job offer in the US, which will allow me to find a very good job the day I decide to go back to my country.

7. Have you already been, or do you intend to become an entrepreneur?

I would love to be an entrepreneur eventually. However, to be successful I need a good business idea, which gives me some competitive advantage. So far I haven't been able to identify any. I think I need more experience working to find a good opportunity. If sometime I have the idea and I can find financing, I will try.  

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

There are many, one of the most remarkable is: Arunas A. Chesonis, President and Chief Executive Officer of PAETEC Communications, Inc. He is the founder of Paetec Communication Inc.

9. How much do you expect to earn on graduation?

Actually I have a job already, and the salary achieves my expectations: $135,000 including base salary + bonus and others. I also want to add that although the salary is important, it is much more important the potentialcareerprogression that the position and the employer gives me.

10. What do you expect to do on graduation and where do you expect to be based?

I will be working in NYC in finance, which is what I want. In the mid-long term I would like to go back to Europe.

11. How easy or difficult do you expect it to be to achieve these objectives?

It will be tough. Everything in life is difficult and in the business world one faces a lot of competition with individual extremely well prepared.

12. Any other comments?

I am very happy of my decision of studying a MBA, and even more happy of have chosen the Simon School. It is an excellent place to learn and to develop as a manager. I would encourage anyone willing to expand his/her knowledge to pursue a MBA at the Simon School in the University of Rochester, you will never regret it.