With over 15 years of experience and two master’s degrees under his belt, he loves to help students define their career goals and identify the best ways to achieve them. We speak to Carlos about what IEU Talent & Careers can offer students, and he shares his top tips for students looking to carve out a meaningful career.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Carlos Diez and I’m Director of Career Services at IEU Talent & Careers. I’m currently responsible for over 5,000 students, and I lead a team of 15 professionals. My relationship with IE University goes back a long way—I studied the Executive MBA and the Executive Master in HR Management here, as well as the Executive Coaching Program.
Talk us through your work experience.
I’ve had various positions here at IE University, from working as a career advisor to an industry recruitment specialist. These roles have led me to some fantastic experiences—for example, I helped with the launch of the IEU International Finance Career Fair and creation of the career curriculum for our Master in Finance program. I also held the position of Director of Career Skills Development at IE University. In this role, I led the design of the Career Strategy course for all master’s programs, which included the complete redesign of the IMBA curriculum.
Did you always work for IE University?
No. Prior to my time at IE University, I worked for two top firms in executive search and talent management consulting: Korn/Ferry Futurestep (London) and Michael Page (Spain). These roles allowed me to hone my skills; I performed more than 2,000 interviews, coached middle and senior managers to achieve their career goals, and helped corporations find the best talent. As a consultant, I was a trusted advisor to executives, learned how to manage conflict, and captured key talent for some of the most successful global blue chips.
How can IEU Talent & Careers help students and alumni?
The main purpose of this department is to advise our students on their career options, help them in their self-assessment and offer support during their decision-making processes. Each IE University student is assigned their own career advisor. The advisor assists the student with career planning, CV and interview preparation, and a tailor-made job-search strategy.
The IEU Talent & Careers team is made up of a group of industry professionals with expertise in a wide range of industries. We know the job functions in today’s job market, and because we have such strong connections with employers all over the world, we’ve got our finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest employment trends.
How can students access these services?
Students can—and should—use our services from their first year of studies. The earlier you explore career options, the more beneficial it is! We’re here for in-person meetings in both Madrid and Segovia, but you can access our services online, too. We have an official careers course called Career Development Training, which is accessible to all IE University students. Through this course, students can enjoy webinars and practical workshops like CV writing, interview prep and Q&A sessions.
How do you recommend students enhance their professional profile?
Internships are a fantastic way to develop your professional skills, and they’re also great for exploring different industries and job functions. IE University provides excellent programs such as IEU Labs and the Young Corporate Program—perfect for getting some hands-on experience. There are also some great student clubs on campus, such as the Finance Club and the Consulting Club, where students can organize training sessions and company presentations with employers.
What are your top tips for job seekers nowadays?
In today’s job market, the only constant is change. Role-specific knowledge is essential to secure a job right out of university, but be aware that hard skills can become obsolete fast. My biggest tip to combat this is to adopt a life-long learning attitude. Hard skills are important, but they’ll only get you so far. Don’t underestimate the value of interpersonal skills. From public speaking to conflict management, these are invaluable assets that will determine how far our graduates go in the professional world.
It might seem obvious, but you have to choose a career that’s right for you. Consider the role, company, sector and culture carefully before making a commitment. Your professional purpose should align with your values and fulfill you on a personal level.
Any final piece of advice for students?
IE University puts a lot of importance on employability and helps students build the necessary skill set for a successful career. It’s diverse, innovative and fosters entrepreneurship—but ultimately, students need to take ownership of their own career management. Don’t forget to put in the work inside and outside the classroom to become better professionals and leaders of the future.
To learn more about the services provided by IEU Talent & Careers, visit the official webpage.