Right now, I’m in the fourth year of my Bachelor in Economics. For a subject that impacts much more broadly than many people realize, the program’s innovative and transversal approach corresponds perfectly with how I see Economics.
I think I’ve fit in so well at IE University because I’m a multilinguist and lover of diversity. I speak Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Now, I’m just picking up the beginnings of German, which I hope will also stand me in good stead for my future career.
Why did you choose to come to IE University, and why your program in particular?
Because I knew it would be everything I needed; rigorous, comprehensive and world-renowned. Some of the program’s modules are really inventive, and I find these the most interesting: Economics of Innovation and Technological Change, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, as well as Labor Economics, Digitalization and AI. They also fit nicely with my understanding of economics as a broad discipline. I think it’s a subject that offers a passport to a wide variety of careers.
I believe that bringing innovative concepts to the table requires more than an understanding of new concepts and ideas. The world is always changing, so you have to be forward-thinking and have analytical and problem-solving skills. Economics is relevant to everything, from finance through technology to the arts. IE University’s Bachelor in Economics reflects that; it’s perfect for someone like me with an extensive range of interests.
How has the university helped you with personal and professional experiences?
Right from the start of my time with IE University, I’ve found as much to keep me busy outside of the classroom as inside. I’ve had the opportunity to complete two internships and an exchange program, which provided valuable real-world experience that I’ll need later on in my career. But the astonishing number of live and virtual events organized by IE Talent & Careers has amazed me with the diversity of their content, too. Students are given the opportunity to hear from industry experts and engage directly with recruiters who are actively seeking candidates.
The resources, connections and guidance offered by IE Talent & Careers, along with the connections the university has made with other institutions around the world, have certainly helped me secure those outstanding extracurricular opportunities. I’m convinced that internships or work experience are essential for aspiring professionals. If it had not been for the exchange program I did with the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, I don’t think I would be where I am today, undertaking an internship that will mold the beginning of my career.
Out of that exchange program came the opportunity to intern at the Deutsche Börse Group, one of the largest exchange organizations in the world. I was inspired by fellow students who urged me to push myself. The Group’s international environment and professional development prospects were very attractive too, so I applied for a position in their Risk Management division. As soon as I started, I was quickly and deeply involved in a broad range of projects, working with people who would invest in and empower me.
I’ve now moved on to intern at the Risk Management team at Clearstream—a Deutsche Börse company—within Non-Financial Risk and Internal Controls. I am treated like a full-time staff member and receive all the training and benefits that all other employees receive. I’ve learned more than I thought possible in a single internship and I’ve found it to be a culture of trust and guidance. What’s more, I’ve built strong working relationships and strengthened my personal and professional development.
What are your other interests—what hobbies do you have?
I have a lot of other interests apart from economics. I enjoy dancing, tennis, painting and writing for The Stork, so I don’t yet know exactly which path my career will take. But I believe that new opportunities can always emerge from one day to another, so I’m keen to identify which skills I need to focus on improving, and I intend to complete a master’s degree later on.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humor and style.
Maya Angelou