EMBA

The day I defended my thesis in Marketing, as a sociology student and full-time worker, I felt a profound sense of liberation: finally, I could just work and rediscover the joy of having evenings free, enjoying weekends, and taking vacations. What followed were years filled with a relationship, marriage, two children, two cats, and an ever-growing set of professional responsibilities, culminating in an executive role. Today, at 44, I am a woman, mother, manager, friend, sister, daughter—a nearly impossible bouquet of roles to juggle within the constraints of 24 hours.

Then suddenly, the EMBA in Rome appeared, bringing back a dream I had shelved due to the distance from Milan. But as soon as the excitement set in, so did the doubts: Am I smart enough? Will I pass the exams? Can I find the strength and time to study? How will I manage my family on the weekends? Who will prepare lunch and dinner? Amid countless “what ifs,” “buts,” and “hows,” I finally found clarity in the proud gaze of my daughter as she showed me yet another perfect score in math.

In that moment, I saw her path laid out before me and intertwined my memories of struggle with her sense of accomplishment. I realized that my example would speak louder than any words. For us women, our professional lives are often fraught with daily challenges and impossible compromises, but becoming a mother should never mean losing one’s identity, talents, or ambitions. I understood that if I could succeed today, I would give her the courage to try tomorrow.

A week later, I found myself in a classroom overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica, with a freezer full of meals and a promise of extra support at home. There I was, a student again, with digital textbooks, even greater enthusiasm, ready to acquire new skills to bring to my workplace, and eager to rediscover and strengthen every hidden reserve of physical and mental resilience.

I quickly discovered that the EMBA in Rome meant a smaller yet highly cohesive class, the warm camaraderie typical of central and southern Italy, and a network far more valuable and extensive than I had anticipated. Shared study sessions helped solidify professional relationships and friendships, forming a network that gradually expanded to include alumni from previous cohorts and peers sharing the journey in Milan. Module by module, the effort (considerable!) began to fade into the background, replaced by growing satisfaction.

The EMBA has truly transformed how I approach both my professional and personal life. It is not just a master’s program; it is a journey of self-discovery, one from which I am certain I will emerge ready to embrace a new future.

The EMBA program is characterized by innovation, internationalization, and interdisciplinarity, with a strong connection to businesses and problem-oriented learning.

For me, EMBA represents a SENSE OF BELONGING to the world and the vast SDA Bocconi network, offering countless opportunities for meetings, learning, and discussion for lifelong learning. It also embodies the COURAGE to challenge oneself, face difficulties, and find one’s own path with confidence and a sense of participation, and finally, TRANSFORMATION—transforming oneself to create a positive impact in both work and society, driven and motivated by one's purpose.