Harold Alfredo Pietri Sierra

University of Rochester, Simon Business School

“I’m a proud Venezuelan striving to reach the American Dream in the United States.”

Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve been practicing martial arts since I was 5 years old.

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidad Tecnológica del Centro (UNITEC) , BS. Management and Administrative Sciences, Minor: Marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: T4E Design – Chief Sales Marketing Officer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment has been working with amazing clients in the US, helping drive their sales and marketing strategies.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I would say the most common quality among my classmates is their willingness to help. Simon definitely feels like family.

Rochester Simon is known for being “unabashedly analytical.” Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How do you intend to leverage this approach as a student and professional? Yes, their analytical approach most definitely played a large part in my decision. I think adding that quantitative dimension to the “soft” skills aspect of the program is incredibly useful in today’s business environment, especially in regards to decision-making. I’ve been leveraging the analytical aspect during interviews with big tech firms and banks (JP Morgan, Microsoft, Salesforce, Amazon, etc.) and will continue to utilize what I’ll learn on a daily basis in my professional career.

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 think the main aspect was just how rigorous it seemed. It’s not at all an easy program, and sometimes you feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. When the dust settles, you realize you’re learning insane amounts of applicable lessons in very short time frames. I got a sense of what the program would be from the start of the recruiting process. People in admissions, like Andrew Brayda and Julie Sadwick, were just so polished compared to other universities where I was recruited. They were great in explaining the value and preparation that you receive from the program, and honestly, it’s exceeded my expectations.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I was looking forward most to the Real Estate Association of Simon, for which I’m now a First-year Representative. My father and mother were in real estate development and realty, respectively, and one of my life goals is to invest in rental income properties over time.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? For me, the “tell me about yourself“ question is always hard. I started my own business in college, have founded and failed at others, was Chief Sales Marketing Officer for a digital marketing startup, was an investment banking intern, and so sometimes, it’s hard figuring out what to put in or leave out in a 1-minute pitch.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I think everything about the timing felt right. I knew I wanted to come to the States because my country was literally collapsing, but I also felt I had finally gained enough business experience to get the most of an MBA program. Also, I was just ready to take the next step in my career and try to really do something BIG.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to Bentley, Villanova, Boston College, Duke, Babson and others.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Honestly, I wanted to go somewhere that could drill quantitative aspects of business in me, but that would also help me prepare for public speaking and communication roles for the next stage of my career. I felt Simon’s program offered the best holistic approach at the best value.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was when I decided to quit my job at T4E Design, and start over in the US. The Venezuelan socio-economic crisis has impacted my family, friends, and my way of life. When I decided I would pursue a program at Simon, and also realized I had amazing people supporting that decision, it felt amazing, like I was taking back control of my life.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I see myself working for a great company that provides services that add value to society, and I see myself beginning to invest in real estate, so I can secure my family’s financial future.

DON’T MISS: MEET ROCHESTER SIMON’S MBA CLASS OF 2022