Marco Schiavo

Here at MaastrichtMBA, we love our alumni and enjoy staying in touch. We recently spoke with alumnus Marco Schiavo; we recalled his time at MaastrichtMBA’s On-Campus MBA and discussed his current life.

FAST FACTS

  • Name: Marco Schiavo
  • Started: September 2016
  • Graduated: September 2019
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Company: Accenture
  • Function: Technology Strategy Manager

HI MARCO, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO AN MBA?

The decision was driven by three considerations:

 

  • Leadership skills: I found myself growing into my career, moving from engineering roles to higher positions which required coordination skills. I felt I did not have the skills needed to be a good manager and I thought that their was no time to develop those competencies. That’s why I decided to start an MBA journey;
  • Networking skills: in the digital era, we hear these words very often. Many organisations became unicorn because they were able to find and use critical resources in their network. I wanted to build a network of like-minded professionals, which stimulated me to be the best person I can be.
  • Pushing my limit: I always believed in my potential, but skills might be not enough. To flourish, competences have to be cultivated with proper education. At a certain point in my life, I felt that my engineering degree taught me to think like an engineer. I thought I needed an MBA to transform myself into a businessman.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE THE ON-CAMPUS TRACK AT MAASTRICHTMBA?

I created a ranking model where I compared many programs on some ranking variables, such as:

 

  • Accreditations: Triple-Crown accredited;
  • Rank: well ranked from many sources;
  • Distance from where I work: I wanted to have my network not too far away;
  • International breath: I want to measure myself with many cultures, and I could find a lot of diversity in Maastricht;
  • Teaching philosophy: I love the Problem Based Learning, and I absorbed it’s core principles to solve my clients’ issues in the projects I undertake;
  • The flexibility of the program: which I could attend without interrupting my career.

 

The final choice was made by a great gut feeling that the first conversation with the MBA staff and the MBA Captain gave me. Since this conversation, they were able to foresee in me a potential that, thanks to a joint learning effort, is now turned into reality. On top of that, I love Maastricht, its people and the beautiful Maastricht University campus.

HOW HAVE YOU PROFITED?

I feel a different professional. I learned to be a great learner. I became a quick learner. In my consulting career, I became able to quick undertake roles where I have no expertise and quickly develop what I need to outperform expectations. The benefit is not only in having achieved a goal like MaastrichtMBA, which I am proud of. The juice is on the beautiful identity transforming journey which took place in Maastricht. The MBA students in Maastricht are taught to learn from the future. Imagine an artist who can sense his emerging painting in front of a blank canvas. There are a lot of others take away, but they all come from who you become.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING AN MBA AT MAASTRICHTMBA?

Do not expect an MBA to be easy, it is not. Do not expect to do it for the piece of paper, that is not what makes the difference at certain levels. Do it because you really want to work on yourself. Expect to have a great time and change yourself. Then UMIO | Maastricht University can help you.

WHAT SHOULD APPLICANTS THINK ABOUT WHEN DECIDING TO DO AN MBA?

Motivation, priorities and values are personal. What I recommend them is to have a talk with MBA alumni and ask their questions. I will find time to help them.

HOW DO EMPLOYERS BENEFIT FROM EMPLOYEES WITH AN MBA DEGREE?

Employers will benefit from having empowered employees, who know the critical pillars of how to successfully run a business, equipped with better leadership skills, a powerful network and enhanced networking skills.

WHAT STANDS OUT FROM YOUR MAASTRICHTMBA EXPERIENCE?

The special relationship I have with my MBA colleagues, a different approach to problem-solving, the experience that I experienced in every module and the capacity to see opportunities where others cannot.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF MAASTRICHTMBA’S ON-CAMPUS TRACK?

I loved the leadership development week in Orshof, the international week and every single module, including the introduction. I am very proud of my achievement and I had a great time as well.

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