How I Got Into One of the World’s Best MBA Programs:
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Applying to graduate school is more than just submitting applications—it’s a journey of self-reflection, career exploration, and personal growth. For Syeda Amani Mahbub (Economics & Foreign Affairs ‘18), the decision to pursue an international MBA was shaped by her experiences in consulting, her desire for a broader skill set, and her ambition to challenge herself in a new environment. Now an MBA candidate at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, she recently shared her story with undergraduate students during a virtual event hosted by the ECO: How I Got into One of the World’s Best MBA Programs.
IESE is consistently ranked among the top business schools globally, securing the #1 spot in The Economist’s 2021 Global MBA Ranking and #3 internationally by The Financial Times in 2025.
Building the Foundation: Undergraduate and Early Career Choices
As an undergraduate, Syeda gravitated toward economics for its theoretical depth and the applied nature of a business degree. During her third year, she interned at AlphaSights as a client associate in their management consulting practice, an experience that sharpened her interpersonal skills through daily client interactions and cross-functional teamwork.
This led her to federal consulting, where she worked at firms like Accenture and Deloitte, focusing on technology implementation and software management. She appreciated the mission-driven impact of her work but soon realized that pivoting within consulting, especially across different sectors, wasn’t always straightforward.
The Decision to Pursue an MBA
Syeda had been in consulting for several years and felt she was hitting a plateau. She debated whether to transition to a new role through a rotational program or commit to an MBA. The decision wasn’t easy, but after researching testimonials from former students and outlining her long-term career trajectory, she realized an MBA would provide the structured environment she needed to refine her skills and expand her opportunities.
Unlike many applicants who cast a wide net, she only applied to one program— IESE—because of its reputation for social impact, rigorous curriculum, and international focus. The program aligned with her goals of broadening her business expertise while challenging herself in an unfamiliar cultural and linguistic environment.
Financial Planning and Sponsorship
Financing an MBA is a significant concern for many students, and Syeda was no exception. She successfully applied for Deloitte’s sponsorship, which offered tuition reimbursement after she committed to working for the firm for a set period post-graduation. In the meantime, she financed her studies entirely through loans, knowing she would be reimbursed after fulfilling her work obligation.
Experiences During the MBA: A Shift in Perspective
As part of her program, Syeda completed an internship at an AI startup in Spain’s real estate sector. The experience gave her firsthand exposure to the fast-paced nature of a growing company, making her realize she had the tolerance and adaptability to work in a startup environment in the future. However, working abroad came with its challenges—while internships didn’t require a visa, securing full-time employment in Europe without sponsorship was far more complex. This reality influenced her decision to return to the U.S. after graduation, despite the additional effort required to re-enter the job market.
Evolving Career Goals and Looking Ahead
Surrounded by peers who had launched their own ventures, Syeda began to reassess her own career trajectory. While she had taken a structured, low-risk approach by working at a large consulting firm, she started to wonder if she wanted to take a more entrepreneurial path in the future. The exposure to business professors with real-world experience was invaluable, as they helped her refine her long-term plans.
Her post-MBA plan is to return to Deloitte, where she will continue working in consulting. However, her perspective on risk has changed. She now has a stronger appetite for exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, whether that means starting something of her own or joining a fast-growing startup. While she still values the stability and experience of a large firm, she envisions taking a more innovative and dynamic role in the next phase of her career.
Advice for Future Grad School Applicants
During a Q&A with students, Syeda reflected on key lessons from her journey:
- What did you do as an undergrad to set yourself up for an MBA?
She didn’t initially plan to pursue an MBA, but looking back, the experiences that helped the most were internships, client-facing roles, and exposure to different industries. She also emphasized the importance of planning a five-to-ten-year career path before applying to business school.
- How does IESE’s MBA program shape career paths?
MBA programs differ in focus, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your career interests. For those passionate about social impact, researching a program’s values and speaking to current students is essential.
- What was it like preparing to return to the U.S. job market?
Recruitment after an international MBA can be more challenging, as it requires extra effort in positioning oneself competitively. However, with strategic networking and personal branding, the tradeoff is well worth it.
- How has your approach to networking changed?
Networking has become less intimidating over time. Instead of viewing it as a job-seeking strategy, she now sees it as an opportunity to connect with interesting people and learn from their experiences. As an undergraduate, she approached networking with a transactional mindset, seeing it primarily as a tool for securing jobs. Now, she focused on forming genuine connections with people whose experiences and insights interested her. This shift made networking feel less daunting and more natural.
- How have your long-term plans evolved?
Being around entrepreneurs and risk-takers made her more open to pursuing unconventional career paths. Although she plans to return to Deloitte, she envisions eventually moving into a more entrepreneurial role.
Final Thoughts
From her early experiences in consulting to her decision to challenge herself with an international MBA, each step shaped her career perspective. Her story is a reminder that there is no single path to success—what matters most is aligning decisions with personal and professional goals, staying open to new opportunities, and embracing challenges that push growth in unexpected ways.