Joao Fernando Saback, ASU Carey MBA Class of 2025
Age: 33 years old.
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Major in Industrial Engineering.
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Revenue Assurance and Billing Coordinator, RIOgaleão – Rio de Janeiro International Airport, 4 years.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
COVID-19 shook me up. Since the 2020 lockdown, I decided to promote a change in my career and life plans. I realized that I had reached the ceiling in my last company, and wanted to pursue a more sustainable, change-promoting career. I felt that the MBA was the best path to follow because e it would simultaneously allow me to transition industries, develop valuable skills, and build a solid, important network in the US and internationally.
Why did you choose the ASU Carey School of Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Two main factors, on top of others, made me choose ASU W. P. Carey: First, its academic prestige. Both the faculty and curriculum W. P. C. offers are unique sources of value and advantage for us graduate students. Second, ASU offers the right combination of business opportunities and network connections. The school offers very strong career management services and connects MBA candidates with senior executives in a mentor initiative called Executive Connections program – that is a huge opportunity, in my opinion.
On top of all of that, they offer good scholarships and financial aid to those students who distinguished themselves during the application process.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
I understand that my extensive professional experience provides me a unique set of skills to thrive in such a collaborative, team-oriented environment as the W.P. Carey Full-time MBA. Coming to the MBA, I had over nine years in professional experience, almost half of that leading teams, which were composed of diverse backgrounds, through a business landscape filled with uncertainties and dynamic changes. I understand the skills I developed during that period, along with the experiences I had, will help me contribute to the Class of 2025.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am completely terrified of snakes! During the application process, I had to convince myself to face that fear and move to a place where they are so common, like Arizona.
Post-MBA career interests:
The main reason I decided to apply for an MBA is to pivot my career and transition industries. After the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized I need to engage myself in a sustainable, change-promoting career. So, after researching, studying, questioning, and planning on how to make such a transition, I decided to pursue a career in the renewable energy industry – an ESG-focused industry that would be a perfect fit for both my career aspirations and business experience.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
In my personal experience, the most important part of the application process was reflecting and understanding how my journey up to that point had been (i.e., career and personal life), and what my goals were in the short to mid-term after graduation. That was a unique opportunity that continues to yield good results until today.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have done it sooner. I would have jumped in and started pursuing this dream sooner.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I guess none. There were tough times – preparing for the GMAT may be tough, and requires a lot of discipline, especially when you are trying to conciliate with working routine – but it contributed to making the MBA experience much more rewarding.
What is your initial impression of the ASU Carey students/culture/community?
It has been amazing. The school offers much more than I could possibly imagine. Classes have been fantastic, the faculty have offered us so much, the discussions among students and professors have been very enriching, and the whole ASU community has received us very well. The resources W. P. C. offers (e.g., infrastructure, prestige faculty, amazing career services, and program operations team) really have made a huge contribution to both my professional and my personal journeys. I really feel like Arizona is home for me right now.
What is one thing you have learned about ASU Carey that has surprised you?
It is not just a Supply Chain school. W. P. Carey has many valuable resources for students who want to pursue any concentration and career.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Internship search and interviews. This is a major part of pursuing an MBA degree, and it happens so early and so fast, that it makes me anxious.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The people I met so far, and the ones that I plan to meet. Networking is a big part of the MBA program, and it presents a unique opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the world.
