Most students come to IE Business School in search of global mobility and rapid career growth, and Luis Perez-Goicoechea Lemaigre-Dubreuil was no different. With a multicultural background shaping his mindset, he didn’t know exactly where he wanted his career to go. But he was sure that he wanted to build something international, meaningful and dynamic.
That’s the main reason why he chose the Bachelor in Business Administration. Now, only two years after graduating, Luis is starting an exciting new chapter in Saudi Arabia with the same company that took him on as an intern during his studies. His story exemplifies the real-world impact students can have from the very start of their careers, turning hands-on learning into long-term career opportunities.
A global mindset takes shape
Luis was born in Spain, yet his profile was as international as his diverse peers at IE Business School.
With a Spanish father and a French mother, he spent his first ten years living in Madrid. Then, a sudden move to Dubai threw him into a brand-new country and culture. While this was a challenge, it forced him to adapt, making him comfortable with diversity and change.
He also got to witness Dubai’s unprecedented transformation firsthand. “I saw a city develop like I never have in my life,” he recalls. Spending his formative years in a city going through its own ambitious growth was something he remains extremely grateful for. “I saw a city change, and grew with the city I loved.”
When the time came to choose a university, Luis wanted a mix of European culture and the global mindset he’d been surrounded by in Dubai. IE Business School offered exactly that, providing the ideal environment for him to explore his ambitions and broaden his network.
Coming from a big city, Luis was also ready for a change of pace. This led him to spend his first two years in Segovia, enjoying a balance between small-town living and a diverse, international community.
Turning classroom insight into real-world impact
Luis describes himself as “not a very academic person,” which is why he wanted a program that paired a strong business foundation with real-world experience. IE Business School’s focus on experiential learning gave him the insights and soft skills that helped him stand out early in his career. And its diverse, social ecosystem ensured he could build the communication skills and confidence that would prove invaluable in the workplace.
His final year was when everything came together. Determined to complete an internship, he debated between the pharmaceutical and banking sectors. Luis ended up choosing the former and joining Roche as an enterprise partnering and network supply trainee.
This role offered a unique synergy between pharma, business and finance, allowing him to draw on the Bachelor in Business Administration’s broad focus to pursue a niche path where he could make a real impact on people’s lives.
He decided to take on the role for a whole year rather than a shorter, more typical internship. “I was looking for a deep dive, not just a scraping-the-surface experience.” It was a challenge to balance work and study commitments, but it’s a move he doesn’t regret. Luckily, IE Business School’s flexibility and support made it possible.
Being able to connect his learning in the classroom with his real-life work was invaluable. And it ultimately led to a full-time job offer in the company as a finance enterprise partner.
A global career takes off
The two years following his internship gave Luis the chance to cement the connection between the finance hard skills essential to his role and the business skills he learned in the Bachelor in Business Administration. Grateful for the lessons he gained through the experience, he also knew it was time for his next challenge.
Taking advantage of Roche’s global presence, he chose Saudi Arabia for his next big move. “I wanted to grow abroad, but I also wanted to be in a country that was also in a growth trajectory,” Luis explains. The Riyadh office offers both a smaller team, allowing him to make a bigger impact. It’s also a location that’s already attracting significant investment and undergoing a huge transformation. Now a finance business partner, he reports directly to the CFO and enjoys far more autonomy and responsibility than would be possible in a mature market.
After just a few months in Riyadh, Luis already feels the value the IE Community provides. He immediately connected with IE Alumni in the region, recently participating in an event with over 140 attendees. Some of his closest friends and professional contacts were formed through IE Business School, and he encourages students to keep meeting new people and building strong links. “The friends you make are the best network you can ever have,” he says.
An ongoing journey fueled by purpose and curiosity
At just 24, Luis is demonstrating how programs like the Bachelor in Business Administration prepare students to take bold steps. The BBA equips students with skills and mindset needed to thrive in high-impact global roles. He never had a clear plan, but by keeping an open mind and making the most of the resources available to him, he has shown what kind of growth is possible in just a short time.
Luis advises current and future students to maximize the opportunities IE Business School provides. So instead of being bogged down if they don’t know what they want to do yet, they can get involved and find what they’re looking for.
“I know that I want to keep growing and learning. I want to keep making mistakes and adding value to my company. Beyond that, I don’t exclude anything.”
For students ready to build a global, purpose-driven career, his experience proves that the Bachelor in Business Administration can be the launchpad to get you there.
