Professional Aspirations: Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life? What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience? What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?

Over the last year, I have been creating a business presence in Costa Rica for [ABC Healthcare], becoming acutely aware of the country’s untapped human capital and market potential in the process. I am also a Senior Advisor at a microfinance organization, Foundation for Women (FFW), working with low-income women to launch small ventures. Through FFW, I witnessed the impact meaningful employment has on an individual’s sense of self-worth, and the entire community. These experiences crystallized into my long-term career goal: to empower people in Costa Rica by enhancing the availability of microfinance funding in the region. To do so successfully, I will gain an MBA, and following graduation, work as an Investment Officer in the International Finance Corporation’s Global Transaction Team.

I have always aspired to facilitate change, and lead through collaboration. Often, this has meant choosing unconventional roles. Like working at a startup, [Memorabilia Retailer], where I engaged with cross-functional teams to shape the entity; or starting Living Your Best Life, a free, not-for-profit treatment and support group for the many Americans suffering from eating disorders; or leading offshore resources and rallying local experts to devise efficient business processes at [ABC Healthcare]. These experiences helped me understand the intricacies of microfinance and the importance of community, and highlighted the skills I will need to thrive in the industry. I know now that my success will depend on developing a holistic, pragmatic approach to business development. Achieving this success is the driving force behind my desire to obtain an MBA at NYU.

While a General Management MBA is critical to balancing my experiences thus far, I can customize my education by leveraging Stern’s breadth of electives. Academically, this sets Stern apart from other top MBA programs. I will supplement courses in the Banking specialization, such as Investing in Microfinance, with classes like Social Venture Capital in the Social Innovation and Impact specialization. Equally relevant to my goals is the Global Business specialization. Complementing this academic roadmap with a DBi course in Latin America will deepen my familiarity with global microfinance and the Latin American market. When I couple Stern’s resources with access to the world’s most brilliant financial and business minds, I know this is the place for me.

But transcending academics and geography, most important to me is an “ideological” match. My decisions are consistently guided by analyzing where I can have the most impact. This principle is in synch with Stern’s philosophy of students making impact through collaboration, as demonstrated by Stern’s active clubs and professional organizations. Joining the Emerging Markets Association, I will learn from students, professionals, and academics about the most pressing emerging markets issues. I hope to eventually become the Association’s VP of Microfinance, contributing professional insights I acquired during my time in Costa Rica, and helping my peers by leveraging the network I developed through my work at FFW. Building on my microfinance work at FFW, I will participate actively as a student leader in Stern’s Women in Business, and would love to involve FFW’s President in the next SWIB conference.

While New York promises a powerful combination of unparalleled individuality, deep-rooted diversity, and a strong sense of community - the Stern microcosm is representative of that. I experienced this first-hand at the NYU Stern presentation in Los Angeles, as well as when I reached out to second year Stern students, [Name 1] and [Name 2]. They warmly shared their insights about microfinance at Stern, and networking opportunities available within and outside of Stern. Their support is a testament to the collaborative community Stern prides itself on and that I hope to be a part of myself.

Integrating theory, practice, and community at Stern, I will be poised to embark on my career as an Investment Officer fulfilling the IFC’s vision of marrying positive social change with financial sustainability. Working across geographies will enhance my understanding of the investor’s role in microfinance and contribute to developing a toolkit for analyzing businesses with a discerning eye, which I will apply when I focus on the IFC’s Latin American operations in my second year there. Studying the productivity of the region’s microenterprise operations I will become well-versed in its cultural and socioeconomic challenges. Armed with this analytical acumen, regional perspective, I will be ideally positioned to achieve the goals of the next phase of my career, to increase the access to and investment in microfinance operations in Costa Rica and eventually across Latin America.