Meet Kellogg's MBA Class Of 2019

Arthur Vargas Amaral

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Nomad Brazilian consultant who tends to become good friends with (literally) everybody.

Hometown: Brasilia, Brazil

Fun Fact About Yourself: On my last weekend in Mexico before flying to Kellogg, I almost got struck by lightning while wakeboarding at a lake close to Mexico City. I felt the energy paralyze my body for a second, but nothing serious happened (I hope). Fortunately, I have that on video!

Undergraduate School and Major: 2013 Universidade de Brasilia (UnB), Telecommunication Engineering

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Sintec Brasil – Business Analyst (2013 – 2014)

Sintec Brasil – Business Consultant (2015 – 2016)

Sintec Mexico – Senior Business Consultant (2016 – 2017)

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I realized the biggest accomplishment in my career three years after beginning it. In my second project as an analyst, my team and I designed and implemented a new way for one of the biggest companies in Brazil to reach its clients. Because of my fresh ideas and rigorous scientific methods, the client soon put me in charge of the implementation team. Three years after the project was completed, the client CEO sent me a presentation he had made for the board showing the better than expected results our project created. Seeing such great results that came from the great work of my team made me prouder than ever to be a consultant.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants?

GMAT: Know what study method works for you. After trying different methods I found through many different sources, I discovered that what really made a difference for me was being persistent with the small details and diligent about my errors.

School Selection: Look for students and alumni who have things in common with you, be it your nationality, your career history, or your career goals. Add them on LinkedIn, invite them for coffee, ask about their story, and share your story. The information they can give you is the best way to know if a school is the best place for you, and if you are the best person for the school. You will be surprised by their willingness to help.

Application: Know your brand and identify what makes you unique. Talk to friends, family, colleagues, and bosses and ask them to describe you. Recall things you did in the past and write them down. Sometimes, we think things we did in the past were ordinary when they were actually truly remarkable.

Interview: Don’t get stressed out because of the interview. Know your story, know your goals, know your school. It is not a make-or-break process, but a part of a whole. If you do not have any red flags in your application, trust that your final options will be those that will create the best synergies. Remember that your MBA will happen only once in your life and both you and your school will carry each other’s brand forever.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? When I was researching MBA programs, I knew exactly what would create the biggest impact in my career. More than a rigorous curriculum from a top-tier program, a great part of that was being able to learn from a diverse and collaborative community. After interviewing as many alumni and candidates from as many schools as I could, I found that Kellogg really stood out. Participating in the Day at Kellogg was also a great way to confirm that there was no better match for me. I could see the incredible culture I was expecting during the three days I was there. I was really impressed by the openness and kindness of Kellogg’s MBAs, including my interviewer, who is still in contact with me to help me during the transition to Evanston.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?

There are many things I hope to see in the end of my first year of business school, the most important:

Self-Development: I will have a clearer view of my strengths and weaknesses, and a structured plan to improve them;
Career: I will have a better understanding of the careers and roles in the main industries and a deep understanding of those I consider trying in the future. Furthermore, I will have a refined idea of what my professional future will look like.
Internship:I will be on my way to an internship that could allow me to work in a different industry in my areas of interest;
Relationship:I will have built mutual trust with most of my colleagues, and will become close with those I interact with in smaller group settings, such as KWEST.

Meet Kellogg’s MBA Class Of 2019

Arthur Vargas Amaral

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

Related Stories In Our Meet The Class of 2019 Series: