Barbara Demetrio Salgado 

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am a happy and flexible person who appreciates learning from experiences and overcoming challenges.

Hometown: Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Fun Fact About Yourself: During my first hiking trip, I was concerned about my backpack weight and only packed canned tuna to eat. I ate so much tuna for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that I never ate canned tuna again from that day on.

Undergraduate School and Major: 

Fundacao Getulio Vargas (FGV), Master in Finance

Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Business Administration

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Itau Unibanco S.A., Senior Analyst

Itau Unibanco S.A., Analyst

Itau Unibanco S.A., Junior Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: After some time in my position, I became a role model and a go-to person in my department. Because of that (and because of my deliverables), I was recognized by the bank as a top-performing employee and was one of the very few in my department selected for a merit-based scholarship for a master in finance.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? First, I would recommend starting early to allow yourself some time to reflect on what you expect to get from the MBA experience and what you intend to achieve in the next two, five, or 10 years. Second, it’s essential to think about the school: where do you want to be and which one can help you most to achieve your goals. Visiting the schools and getting in touch with students, alumni, and staff will help you to figure that out and make a wiser decision.

Finally, enjoy the process. It’s a long journey, but you end up stronger and more aware of yourself and your aspirations. In addition, receiving the school offer is a great reward.

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 key factor was Johnson’s close-knit and collaborative community that made me feel part of it since my first school visit — and I made three. Also, Johnson’s strength in the financial industry is evident, with a unique and intense immersion program that will prepare me to succeed in my post-MBA career.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? After the first year of business school, success for me would  be having  been able to develop myself by learning the new skills required for my next career step, forging new lifetime friendships, and finally  culminating in a great internship experience with a full-time return offer!