Meet The Warwick MBA Class Of 2017

Francisco Del Rio

Warwick Business School

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Driven by ideas that improve people’s lives creatively. A finance manager with an entrepreneurial spirit. 

Hometown: Santiago, Chile

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am probably the only finance manager with drawing skills. I used to be better at art than math back at high school.

 

Undergraduate School and Major:

Business Management, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez (Chile)

MSc in Finance, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez (Chile)

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

  • CFO at Mosaico S.A.
  • Deputy CFO at AD Retail S.A.
  • Head of Corporate Finance at Masisa S.A.
  • Business Development Analyst at Masisa S.A.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The most obvious would be to say that I had worked on a certain acquisition or elaborated financial plan. I believe my biggest accomplishment has been to be able to work in different teams and companies, with a positive impact in all of them, and building honest long term relationships. The people you know, what you learn from them, and the bonds you create are what has made a real difference in my career.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? My advice is to be yourself and honest. Don’t try to be what you think is the expected perfect candidate, with no doubts and fears. Don’t hide weaknesses or past failures, as conscience of them shows self-awareness and maturity. Be clear on how do you think the MBA will help you overcome those weaknesses and build on your strengths. If they don’t like it? Well, that just helps makes the decision easier; they probably were not the best fit for you.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I believe there is no one best MBA, but the best MBA for you. So, rankings and reputations were important, but also how it adapted to my personal objectives. I was looking for a highly-reputed, one-year MBA programme, with an emphasis on soft skills development, career guidance, and a hands-on approach. I also wanted to study in an English-speaking country. Since I was bringing my family, I preferably wanted to live in a smaller and more easy going town. Warwick was the perfect fit with its excellent name, leadership modules, strong careers coaching, real consulting projects and a location in the heart of England.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life?  After having worked in different companies and sectors, I have come to realize that the most important thing is to find a company with which you share its purpose, values and culture. In this sense, my dream job is to work in a company that is customer obsessive, creative, contributes to society positively, and has a team driven by passion, excellence, mutual respect and honesty.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? “I would like my peers to say that they found a real friend, someone they could trust and count on whenever they needed, with whom they could be themselves and share their ideas, a team player with a can-win attitude.”

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