Alumna Lauren Hardisky tells us about her MBA experience at MIP and gives inspiring suggestions to those who are thinking about studying abroad. Read on!
Where do you live now?
Denver, Colorado, USA
What’s your job?
I oversee multifamily real estate developments in the Denver metro area. The housing market is booming in Denver, and it is an exciting time to be in the real estate industry.
What’s your main skill you worked on or you enhanced within your MBA experience?
I became a better listener. Working in diverse team settings during the coursework helped render me internationally relevant. Not only did I have to learn how to present my ideas to a group with completely different views, but also I had to learn how to lead a group with tremendous diversity to reach a shared decision.
What did you learn from the Italian environment?
The details matter. Fashion, food and furniture are all important to Italians, and with all of these things, aesthetics matter. Design elements are present in all aspects of modern-day Italian life, whether it’s the presentation of a “primo†pasta dish, or the intricate stitching in a Prada leather coat. Italians care about details. This attention to detail translates to my everyday  life after the MBA, as I am more sensitive to branding, layout and the visual appeal of my work product.
What is the vision of the future regarding your career?
During the MBA at MIP, I was convinced that I wanted to undertake Finance as a career. Although I no longer hold that view, I am still interested in a career heavy in quantitative aspects. I have found that I honestly love being the leader and building a team. I excel at teaching, mentoring, and coaching. I can see myself doing all sorts of things. I hope that I’m able to have several careers in my lifetime, and that I am able to have a lasting impact on all of those people I come in contact with.
What do you suggest to people thinking about attending a masters program like this?
Go for it, but be prepared for the challenge! Obtaining an MBA is not as easy as it might seem. The program will test your communication skills, intelligence, time management ability and character. As a student, you will be encouraged to challenge all of your views. You will learn just how much you do not know about the global business environment. What is more, you will find that the answer to most questions in business and in life is “it depends.â€
