EMBA

For years, I questioned the true value of an Executive MBA. Opinions from those around me were divided, yet all shared one characteristic: they were categorical.

Over time, I came to understand.

The world, in all its richness and diversity, also reflects a division: between those who have completed an Executive MBA and those who have not. If you have the privilege of being among the former, the answer to the question, “Is it worth it?” can only be one.

Of course, this answer will take on different shades depending on the degree of enthusiasm, yet it will never lose its conviction or clarity. Some may simply say, “It was enlightening” or “a formative experience,” while others might declare, “It changed my life.”

Each person's sensibilities will pull them one way or the other. In my case, I can only say it was a little of everything. This adventure—because that’s what it truly is—certainly opens your eyes to a wealth of knowledge that was always there but perhaps remained in the shadows, barely glimpsed or not fully understood. An Executive MBA is also a tool that offers new ways of interpreting and understanding life.

You study, but you also learn to improvise. You share your experiences, but you also learn to question them. You rely on your own abilities, yet you also learn to depend on others. Someone once said that great works require 1% inspiration—or genius—and 99% perspiration, and there may be no better way to describe what to expect from an experience like this.

An MBA demands patience and sacrifice, participation and collaboration, but it guarantees immense rewards, both personal and professional. Deep down, when I first asked myself whether enrolling in an MBA program was worth it, I already knew the answer.

Being able to attend the program here in Rome was both a privilege and a tremendous advantage, granting me access to the resources of one of the most prestigious business schools, all within steps of my workplace.

To anyone who asks, with the right motivation, I can only recommend diving headfirst into this experience.

How does it feel after starting the EMBA at SDA Bocconi?

I am absolutely thrilled and energized. I am proud of completing this journey (proud of me). I now have a deeper self-awareness that has made me more conscious of my strengths and potential. I feel professionally different, much more solid. I am confident that the skills I’ve gained will help me in my professional life and make me a better leader. My expectations from this experience were definitely met. The EMBA is unquestionably a life phase that is hard to forget. It’s not just an academic experience but, above all, a life experience.

What impact has the EMBA had on your personal and professional life?

The impact has been incredibly strong. The EMBA becomes a part of you—it penetrates deeply and shapes the way you view everything. It provides you with a new way of seeing yourself and the world, fostering greater self-confidence. It equips you with an "expanded" way of thinking, as if you have an additional perspective, capable of seeing where others don’t (new perspectives). For me, the EMBA has become a "state of mind," a whole new mindset.

Embarking on the EMBA was driven by a personal inspiration that has stayed with me throughout the journey, supported by my passion for innovation and change. Professionally, the EMBA has had a concrete and tangible application. Rationalizing the knowledge gained during the EMBA in my daily actions has led to a new approach to my work. It has provided me with the tools to develop innovative solutions and adapt them to the current competitive environment.

How would you describe the EMBA journey, both from a personal and professional development perspective, to a potential candidate?

I believe it is an essential experience for anyone who doesn’t want to stay stagnant and is willing to step out of their daily routine to take on new challenges. It’s for those who feel the desire to improve themselves and structure their training for future professional challenges. It’s an investment in skills aimed at improving the learning process and expanding one’s potential, all while balancing study and work.

What enriches this experience:

• The Network: The opportunity to build your own relational network through continuous interaction and exchange with classmates and the Faculty.
• The Group: The age diversity, the various industries represented, the exchange of ideas, and shared experiences are key ingredients to the success of the EMBA classroom. Deep friendships form, and lasting relationships are built.
• The Content: The pragmatic approach to each discipline is rooted in case-based learning, which offers you strategic thinking and a comprehensive vision of business.