Matthias Scheider

Esade Business School

“Good times, great people, and trying to make an impact – my keys to happiness.”

Hometown: Essen, Germany

Fun Fact About Yourself: Used to work as a cook for some time after high school and became a master in cutting vegetables and preparing salads that will change your life.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Muenster, Bachelor in Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: PwC Germany, Senior Associate

What has been your favorite part of Barcelona so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA? Barcelona has been an incredible choice for my MBA – the perfect blend of cultural richness and a vibrant lifestyle. The opportunities to unwind at the beach, engage in sports, and explore every part of the city are just endless. Plus, the convenience and good weather make life here so enjoyable. Not to mention, there is the vast number of options for food and drinks, along with easy access to travel destinations like Morocco, Andorra, Madrid, Valencia, Mallorca, and Ibiza. Barcelona truly has it all for an unforgettable MBA experience.

Aside from your classmates and location, what has been your favorite part of Esade Business School’s MBA programming and why has it been so valuable to you? The broad and yet detailed overview we got into every aspect and area of a company and a manager’s life. This ranges from detailed marketing analytics and corporate finance classes to insights about recent trends and development within people management or sustainability/ethics. It provides me with the feeling that I am very well-prepared for a broad range of positions within management and able to incorporate better the broad interests and motivations of different function and individuals in a corporation. Since many classes focus on leadership skills, human behavior and people management, they have also given me a good foundation for further developing my own leadership and management style.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Esade? Being part of the Healthcare and Sports Business Club at Esade has turned out to be two of my best decisions! The clubs are not just about networking and career events in Barcelona. We’ve had some amazing opportunities like a trip to Basel to visit companies in the healthcare sector – or the legendary MBA Olympics (MBAT) in Paris, where we represented Esade in a bunch of sports and competing against MBA schools from all over Europe. But to be honest, what makes everything I do at Esade a highlight is simply the awesome crowd of individuals I am lucky to share all my experiences with.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was being selected for PwC Germany’s High Potential Pool due to outstanding achievements and development potential. Being part of this group has opened doors to connect with the leadership board and participate in specialized training and networking events.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student has been finding the perfect balance between academics, career, and socializing. This balance not only earned me an exchange spot at Chicago Booth, but also allowed me to form an extraordinary group of friends who I’m certain will be lifelong companions. The things we experienced together during this intense year contributed to me making the most of my MBA journey and developing so much more in so many aspects.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? One that stands out the most is surprising my girlfriend with a proposal in Barcelona, just after the end of the first academic year. The joy of celebrating this special moment right after with the amazing people we met during the MBA is something I will cherish forever when I look back on my time in the program. Doing so in the atmosphere of a warm Barcelona night made it an unforgettable experience that truly encapsulates the essence of my MBA journey.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Esade MBA program? To potential applicants seeking admission into the Esade MBA program, my advice would be to focus on showcasing your genuine self rather than trying to impress with extraordinary GMAT scores or individual achievements. While it’s essential to highlight your accomplishments, what matters most is demonstrating an understanding of what the Esade MBA is all about and how you can contribute to its unique community. Remember, the heart of the Esade MBA lies in its people!

DON’T MISS: MEET ESADE BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2024