Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
I decided to undertake Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA program since I strongly believe that learning is a never-ending process. I chose a program that, more than others, offered an innovative and global learning experience provided by two of the top business schools in the world. I was looking for a learning experience in a global environment and the program was the perfect match: modules in different business schools across the globe to leverage the diversity that comes from travelling, engaging with professionals from all over the world, understanding different cultures and ways of doing business.
Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
I decided to apply for GEMBA in a period of fast changes of the business environment in which I was working. At the point in time, I realized I needed new “tools”, new “lenses” to read the business context, and a new mindset to keep the pace and enhance my leadership skills.
How is this choice satisfying your needs?
GEMBA was an 18-months’ journey out of my comfort zone, I learnt that everything is impossible until you make it happen. I learnt how to feel at ease even if I’m out of my comfort zone and how to leverage of fast changes to progress even faster in my career. My needs were fully satisfied thanks to the outstanding faculties I met, in the different modules, across the globe and thanks to the continuous interaction with my peers, 42 talents from different regions and different businesses.
What is your most important takeaway in attending international modules across the world?
The program is built to expose participants to diversity: travelling, engaging with professionals from all over the world, understanding different cultures and ways of doing business pushes out of personal comfort zone and allow to challenge personal beliefs. Openness to change and being confident out of the comfort zone are pivotal to gain managerial confidence to approach complex settings in the work business environment.
Describe your GEMBA experience in 3 words/adjectives
Mind-blowing, as this program pushed me out my personal beliefs and comfort zone.
Challenging, as this program is a demanding lifetime experience, my work-study – family balance was quite stretched during the program but … I learnt that everything is possible if you really believe in it.
Teamwork: GEMBA is for people who are eager to learn from peers and, together, go above and beyond expectations.
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Vittoria Cortese
- Italian