Meet IE Business School’s MBA Class Of 2018

Vimbai Faith Chamboko

IE Business School

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am passionate about living life to the full and pursue my goals tenaciously.

Hometown: Mutare, Zimbabwe

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have an appalling sense of direction and always struggle to find my way out of a mall or to where I have parked. Also, when using a navigation application, I can never figure out which is north, south, east or west and always head in another direction!

Undergraduate School and Major: Business Studies- Finance and Banking, University of Zimbabwe

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: 

  • Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe – Graduate Trainee
  • MetbankZimbabwe – Client Services Officer
  • Global Emerging Markets – Investment Analyst
  • Hamilton Capital – Investment Officer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:  I was part of a small team that opened the doors to a startup corporate finance advisory boutique. Dealing with internal issues and challenges that are associated with a budding business, while also engaging clients and ensuring success for my clients with whom I had a meaningful relationship, was challenging at times. I had to push myself hard and think on my feet, but seeing the firm make progress whilst pleasing my clients at the same time, is immensely satisfying.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? I think that self-reflection and introspection is the first step any prospective applicant should take. You should think of who you are as a person and what your goals are. An MBA is a big investment in yourself that should not be taken lightly. Determine what you want out of a business school and which school fits in with your goals. Be prepared to put in some work into researching your target schools in order to determine what is best for you. Make sure your application essays reflect who you are and what your goals are. I advise that you find someone or some people to critique your essays – remember that you are competing against other top talent and you need to present the best application possible.

If applying to IE, make an effort to show who you are as a person. Show what makes you tick, different and what you have to contribute to diversity. IE is not interested in satisfying stereotypes; do not feel pressured to fit some mold. People here are genuinely interested in your story and everyone wants to know you and learn from you. The environment here is incredibly interactive and collaborative.

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?  My main attraction in the IE IMBA is its people. I love the diversity present in both the student body and the faculty that makes IE a melting pot of culture, race, academic and professional experience, beliefs and opinions. Furthermore it was clear from my research that the programme leverages on this diversity and is both interactive and collaborative. I knew that I could form deep lasting social and professional bonds, develop strong skills that go beyond the traditional academic and technical skills, whilst comfortably developing my individual person.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?  I expect this year to be a transformational and soul searching experience. I intend to immerse myself in the whole experience, absorb it, and enjoy it. Success will be developing core competencies that include an ability to think critically and out of the box and developing an ability to leverage on diversity. Aside from developing a skillset that will enable me to become a global leader, I want to forge lifelong friendships with peers and develop a diverse global network of truly amazing individuals.

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