Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
My life credo is moving forward and building strong foundation for present and future achievements, which is impossible to execute without constant personal and professional development in nowadays transforming world. Let me introduce GEMBA as a program that enables to shape and leverage on experience, makes you adaptive and sustainable to changes, trains to process the information and act appropriately at higher speeds and higher quality. I am a Retail Banker with 16 years of experience in banking industry that largely determined my choice in favor of Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA. SDA Bocconi is famous for its strong and outstanding faculties in finance, banking and business management disciplines. SDA Bocconi graduates hold leadership positions in most successful companies worldwide. As we usually say: “Bocconi is everywhere”. At the same time the program is dual degree and it is not only about the advantage of having titles from American and European business schools, but it is also about the combinations of teaching and learning techniques. The two business schools balance each other and are complementary to each other. This is a great opportunity to get access to the job markets of both regions and gain network from two continents.
Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
Actually, my personal decision to enroll GEMBA was driven by the desire to get helicopter view in the fields and industries that I was not enough familiar with. My primary request was to enrich professional capital and prepare myself for a new role, to gain value as a leader on a larger stage, to enhance personal skills through working and studying in the environment of diverse and talented people
How is this choice satisfying your needs?
I truly believe that this is the best choice that could have been made. During the program, I switched from Retail credit risk management to the new role in Retail Business, successfully led and closed the acquisition deal with an international partner, overcame various complicated challenges in management of the team out of 400 people, and many more to mention. That was the experience of GEMBA in action. Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA is about getting the knowledge on main aspects about how businesses are managed and organized in any company and any industry, about common “green thread” that connects economic growth, increased social equity and a healthy environment.
What is your most important takeaway in attending international modules across the world?
It is hard to imagine Executive MBA without attending international modules and without opportunity of visiting companies. That would not be full –fledged learning and networking experienced. As one of the examples, I will bring module in San Francisco. We were running the corporate strategy course and the given framework in class was ideally demonstrated in practice by hosting companies. We were given priceless company insights, and we met a lot of interesting experts and professionals. Company visits are essential for connecting all puzzle pieces. Our cohort became a big family during international modules since we spent all the time together, learning from each other and having great time never be forgotten.
Describe your GEMBA experience in 3 words/adjectives.
Stability. Opportunity. Advantage.
Anything else - like a personal note - you may wish to add.
Be committed. Be ready to be there. Look inside and around to be sure it is the right time for you to enroll. If you are ready, jump in and you will never regret.
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Salome Pirtakhiya
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