Meet UCLA Anderson’s MBA Class of 2019

Luiza  Niemeyer

UCLA, Anderson  School of Management

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A global “carioca” trying to change the world. Big fan of carnival and Latin music, dog and cat person, nature lover.

Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fun Fact About Yourself: Animals love me. Maybe too much. I have been bitten by a sloth in the Amazon rainforest, a monkey in Bali, and a goat in Chile.

Undergraduate School and Major:

London School of Economics (LSE), M.P.A. International Development

Pontíficia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, B.A. Economics

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Chile’s Productivity Commission (CNP), Senior Policy Analyst & Project Manager

CNP is an advisory agency under the government of Chile that provides policy recommendations to the President of Chile on topics related to productivity and growth.

Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), Brazilian Institute of Economics (IBRE): Senior Economist

FGV is the Top 1 think tank in Latin America, according to the 2015 Global Go To Think Tanks Index

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment was leading a project with policy recommendations to help introduce at least 900,000 Chilean women in the workforce, which would have a potential estimated impact of 6% GDP growth. My role in the project was building collaboration with interested parties, writing the final report that would be delivered to the President of Chile, organizing an event to discuss the issue – that the President attended –  and helping build momentum around it. Chile ranks 119 out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum’s index of economic opportunities for women. This project thus represented a tremendous opportunity to bring great impact to an issue of major relevance to the country and to myself.

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

Writing essays: Talk to current students, dive deep into the school’s values, and (if possible) try to visit the school before writing your application. The moment you realize Anderson is the right fit for you, your essay will flow more easily, and your passion will help you stand out.

Gathering recommendations: Choose people who know you well and who will be enthusiastic in advocating for you. Also, ask for recommendations early in the process; you want to give your recommenders plenty of time to thoughtfully prepare their letters. Finally, give your recommender a document reminding him of your story, the particulars of the program you are applying to, and facts or events that you would like her to highlight in the letter.

Excelling in the admissions interview: Above all, be authentic. Know why you are applying to Anderson, demonstrate this confidence, and just be yourself. Don’t be afraid of the questions. Think of your failures and reflect on what you learned from them. If this question comes up in the interview, tell them a time you failed and the lessons your learned.  Honesty and self-reflection are qualities appreciated in b-schools and beyond.

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? The atmosphere in and outside UCLA Anderson is unbeatable! When I first visited the school, I already knew this was the place for me. The students are extremely friendly and the staff is very accessible. It is a top program with a truly collaborative culture! Their career services are amazing.  The dedication of the Parker superstars is obvious from day 1. Finally, Los Angeles is fantastic. Even on the busiest days, you can’t help but smile with the bright sunshine outside.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?  First, success would mean achieving my career goals. Second, it would mean further developing my leadership skills, and expanding my knowledge of alternative business functions and industries. Last, but not least, success would mean meeting great people, making new friends, learning from their experience, sharing my own, and growing as a person.