Amalia Mariaca

Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management

“I am a sweet, ambitious, hard-working professional who loves living life and having fun.”

Hometown: La Paz, Bolivia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to iron my clothes, especially my pajamas!

Undergraduate School and Major: Georgetown University – B.A. in Government and Spanish Literature

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Budget Analyst and Project Manager at CIDVER Corporation 

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I am most proud of my work at the Department of Veterans Affairs leading the Executive Actions team. I am proud of this achievement because it was outside of the realm of anything I had done before. The impact on the organization was significant and, at my young age, I went from knowing nothing about management to being trusted by the executive leadership to give my recommendations and manage the team. From working in the areas of budget, operations, human resources, and event planning, I gained leadership skills and functional expertise in driving challenging projects.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My classmates are simply extraordinary. Aside from their intellect, they have diverse personalities and interests. They make every day exciting and stimulating.

Aside from your classmates, 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? I chose Vanderbilt because of the unique offering of the Leadership Development Program (LDP), which empowers students with tools to become successful world leaders. Having worked for executive leaders, I have witnessed the positive impact of executive coaching on the effectiveness, culture, and success of the organization. As a developing leader, I value all opportunities to improve my weaknesses and become the best version of myself. The LDP offers more than that.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I look forward to joining and eventually leading the Owen Women’s Business Association. I am committed to empowering other women to attain their professional and personal goals because of our voices and experiences matter.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? The most challenging question was: “What concerns do you have about getting an MBA?” At the time, I had only evaluated the short-term and long-term benefits of going to business school. Even though I was aware that the MBA, like any major life decision, comes with some risks. However, I was confident I would overcome them.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After two years in my role as a budget analyst and project manager, I did not foresee any challenges nor room for growth. At the same time, I was aware that I still needed to polish my leadership abilities and build on the skills that I am still missing, such as general business administration, accounting, and a solid understanding of strategic management. With the encouragement and support of my parents and former boss, I decided to take the next step and apply to business school.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? 

• Georgetown University
• George Washington University
• Cornell University
• University of Miami

How did you determine your fit at various schools? During my academic and professional experiences, I discovered that I am best able to learn, experiment and fail in tight-knit communities. From researching current students from various schools on LinkedIn to setting up coffee meetings, as well as, phone calls, I truly learned about their business school journey. When I visited the Vanderbilt campus, I confirmed that Owen was the best fit for me. At the same time, I realized that with the support of my classmates, faculty, and staff, I will be able to strengthen my leadership skills, grow my confidence, and improve my business acumen.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? A defining moment was when my grandmother died. Not only did she teach me to dream big and work hard, but also to enjoy every day as if it was the last. No matter what I am doing, I always follow my grandmother’s legacy to the best of my ability.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In ten years, I see myself becoming the Chief Financial Officer of a government agency or private corporation.