Careers and outlook for our Latin American MBA graduates

From Argentina – a career in the entertainment sector 

Paula Martinez (MBA 2022) from Argentina was working for The Walt Disney Company in a regional PR role based in Buenos Aires, before choosing to do an MBA.

She was looking for both a diverse, international experience and a global perspective to pivot her career in the entertainment sector.  

“When I was looking at which MBA programme to apply for, it was very important to apply for a university and a programme that really showed diversity. I was looking for a programme that was not just focused on one specific sector like finance or consulting.” 

She continues, “For Cambridge, I felt like it wasn’t like that. It was more open, and you can really make the programme your own and tailor it to your own needs. That was more interesting and captivating for me and my career aims.”  

Wishing to upskill herself and stay in the entertainment sector, Paula chose the Culture Arts and Media (CAM) Concentration, as well as electives in marketing, across the Easter and Lent Terms.  

“For me that was perfect so I can continue learning more about the industry that I really want to keep on working in.  

The MBA Electives orientated to marketing, and the learning in this area, are really useful for my current role. “ 

Now working for HBO at Warner Bros Discovery as a Global Marketing Operations Manager, Paula has taken on a leadership position in a global role. 

“I remain in the same sector because I am really passionate about the entertainment sector. But I have changed locations, previously I was working in a regional role in Argentina, but I relocated to the UK to take this global position.” 

“The Cambridge MBA reshaped my mindset and gave me a more holistic understanding of business strategy and leadership. Some of the skills I use in my daily tasks and new role are negotiation skills and problem solving. At Warner Bros. working with multiple stakeholders and managing huge global operations really implies constant challenges every day. “ 

She concludes,  “The MBA really changed me a lot as I now feel validated as a leader, for who I am and what I am capable of. It has been an amazing journey.” 

Paula Martinez was the Professional Diversity scholarship recipient for the MBA Class of 2022/23.  

From Mexico – a career in finance and consulting  

Karina Martin from Mexico stepped back from the family business to study for her MBA. 

“I had always wanted to do an MBA, but I needed to work in the sector beforehand. Once I worked in the family business and was at a relatively senior level, making strategy decisions, I realised it was time to step back and get the skills to really drive the business forward efficiently.” 

She chose the UK as she had previously studied in the USA and she was looking for a different international experience. She was also looking at the one-year MBA programme offered in the UK.  

Karina chose the Finance Concentration. “My specialty is not finance. But I learn by doing so I wanted to expand more on that and to open my eyes on what can be done.” 

She continues, “My classmates, many of them were experts in finance and so I wanted to learn from them too.” 

Karina worked closely with the Careers Team at Cambridge Judge, guiding her and supporting her ambitions to pivot into financial consulting.  

“They supported me in tailoring my CV and preparing me for interviews, as well as working with me to see what was within my reach, as well as what connections they already had that might help my career pivot.” 

Karina Martin was the Regional Diversity scholarship recipient for the MBA Class of 2022. 

The diversity on the MBA programme was amazing, she explains, “I was a Student Representative during my MBA year. To be in the middle of 220 plus students and to listen to their views and their different standpoints, to realise that my world was not their world and the other way around. I learnt that there are things that can be done in a better way and things can be improved. This has helped me personally, to give and receive constructive feedback, to understand different stakeholders and to provide a voice to them, to provide those recommendations – that has been amazing.” 

“My biggest surprise has been how much I have grown, how I see things differently now. The surprise has been my personal development.” 

“Just to be among and to be part of these great leaders and amazing people, has just made me work more on myself and work more towards the best version of myself. That has been the biggest surprise for me.” 

Karina is now Director of Project Development and Investor Relations at Door Capital Partners, based in Mexico. 

From Mexico – a career in finance

Also from Mexico, Pablo Valdes Fernandez del Valle, was working in the finance sector for BBVA bank in Mexico City, within the Investment Banking and Corporate Finance Team, before his MBA.  

Choosing to do an MBA for the international experience and the diversity of the Cambridge cohort,  “I chose Cambridge because it is highly international, diverse and collaborative. I was also attracted by the Cambridge Venture Project and Global Consulting Project, which allow students to work for companies in different industries and geographies.” 

Choosing to develop his finance skills further and tailoring the course to his future career goals, Pablo describes his favourite elements of the curriculum,  “My favourite courses on the Cambridge MBA were Corporate Finance, Cases in Corporate Finance, and New Venture Finance. I felt so motivated, encouraged, and heartened to exchange ideas with my MBA cohort from different backgrounds. It was very enriching and illustrating to do this with people who are enthusiastic, talented and highly motivated individuals.” 

Expanding on the experience of leadership across the cohort he explains,  “The leadership roles we all have taken within the Business School have been numerous. I am motivated by continuous learning, through collaboration sharing, and teamwork. Learning from each other on a daily basis and showing insatiable curiosity.  

“It has also been thrilling to build an encompassing vision and perspective alongside my peers, with solutions that are relevant for the real world. It has been exciting to build a network with highly intellectual students, while sharing with them the passion, enthusiasm, and constant exchange of ideas.” 

On his career goals in finance and being based in the UK he explains,  “Being UK-based, Cambridge Judge Business School offers a close connection with London, which is one of the financial capitals of the world. You get the dynamic of the Capital City of London, alongside exposure to Cambridge and the ‘Cambridge Cluster’, as one of the most advanced innovative hubs in Europe.” 

Returning to Mexico after his MBA Pablo says,  “I would like to try private banking, and wealth management, but in the long term I would like to establish my own private equity fund for sustainable real estate focusing on residential high-end housing in Mexico.” 

He concludes,  “My MBA year has been the most enriching, transformative, and vibrant experience. it is something I will definitely cherish and remember for the rest of my life.”