Carla Aliaga Valladares, Washington Foster’s MBA Class of 2027
Age: 33
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Undergraduate Institution and Major: National University of Engineering (UNI), B.S in Industrial Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I have more than 8 years of experience mainly in commercial banking at BBVA where I worked in different roles such as client solution specialist portfolio, Engineering program manager and Engineering Strategy Leader.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Seeing how technology could transform customer experience while working on software projects at BBVA motivated me to pivot from commercial banking to technology in a global company. Post-MBA, I want to become a Product Manager at a leading tech firm, building products from concept to launch.
To reach this path, I identified gaps in technology depth, creativity/innovation for solution design, leadership for cross-functional teams, and analytics for real problem-solving. Foster is the right place and timing for me; with its proximity to Seattle’s tech hub and targeted learning opportunities, it will help me close these gaps.
Why did you choose Washington Foster? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose the Foster School of Business because its resources and culture are perfectly aligned with my goals of pivoting into the technology industry. Several key factors were most important in my decision:
- Location and Access to the Seattle Tech Ecosystem, Foster’s location in the heart of Seattle provides unparalleled access to a leading global tech hub. This proximity will allow me to engage directly with the companies I aspire to work for and build a professional network within the industry.
- Targeted Coursework and Experiential Learning, Foster’s curriculum offers specific, practical learning opportunities that will help me close my skill gaps. I am particularly excited about taking courses like Strategic Product Management, which are taught by industry practitioners like Jenne Pierce. The Innovation & Design Thinking and Intrapreneurship classes will also be crucial for building my creative and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the Foster Field Study and Applied Strategy projects will give me the hands-on experience of tackling real-world challenges at tech companies.
- Career Support and Community, Foster’s dedicated career support, particularly from the MBA Career Management Office and the Clubs, was a key reason for my decision. I am confident that their guidance, along with mentorship from second-year students, will be instrumental in helping me secure my career goals.
- The small cohort size of about 107 students also creates a close-knit environment where I can build genuine relationships and collaborate effectively with my peers.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I think my differentiating factor is that I bring commercial banking experience in Latin America in program manager role and strategy execution.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Something that a few people know about me is my passion for salsa dancing. I actually represented my university in competitions and was also a dancing teacher.
Post-MBA career interests:
Product management in the tech industry and management consulting.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Before I even began applying, I took the time to thoroughly research which universities would be the best fit for my career goals. I focused on schools whose employment reports showed strong placements in the industries and roles I was targeting. This approach helped me concentrate my efforts on the programs where I would have the greatest chance of success.
I also took each essay very seriously, recognizing that every university has its own unique focus. I made it a priority to attend their events to understand what makes each program special and how it would help me achieve my specific goals. I reviewed and revised my essays multiple times until I felt they were a genuine and accurate representation of my experiences and aspirations.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I could do one thing differently, I would have made a greater effort to attend an in-person campus visit and explore the city of Seattle. I’ve done a lot of research and attended many online events, but experiencing the campus atmosphere and getting a true feel for the community in person would have been invaluable. I also would have loved the chance to speak with more second-year students to get their perspective on the program.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
For me, the most challenging part of the application process was the GMAT exam. I made the bold decision to quit my job to fully dedicate myself to preparing for it. After an immersive month of study, I took the test and achieved my highest score. I went on to retake it three more times but wasn’t able to improve my total score. While the process helped me improve my knowledge, there were times when I was so focused on test preparation that I spent less time on other parts of my application.
What is your initial impression of the Foster students/culture/community?
The cohort is a truly close-knit community where everyone helps each other, especially during recruiting. The second-year students are incredibly supportive, sharing their experiences, while the clubs provide the resources you need to achieve your goals. Everyone in my cohort is so energetic and eager to succeed.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I joined the Foster Technology Club, Consulting Society, and AI & Data Analytics Club to deepen my knowledge of the industries I want to pivot into and to help me prepare for recruiting.
I also joined Diversity in Business, Challenge for Charity (C4C), and the Outdoors and Sports Industry and Wine clubs to get to know my classmates outside of an academic setting and to give back to the community.
What is one thing you have learned about Foster that has surprised you?
As a Forté member, I was invited to attend the Forté Conference this summer. While I ultimately wasn’t able to participate due to a visa issue, the preparation process was incredibly valuable. The coaches from the Foster MBA Career Management Office helped me refine my resume and articulate my story. They also provided extensive information on pre-MBA events. The fact that I received all of this support before my classes even started validated my decision to choose Foster. I’m so grateful for their guidance, especially from Leslie Meagley, which allowed me to participate in several other valuable events.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about fully immersing myself in the Foster community. I’m especially looking forward to the recruiting events and Treks that will allow me to meet professionals from a variety of industries and companies. This will be an invaluable opportunity to build my network and gain insight into the roles and cultures I’m targeting.
