Whether you want to talk to similar profiles or learn about new career paths, the best way to know INSEAD is by connecting with students, alumni and staff.  
Alexandre Chechelaky

Alexandre Chechelaky

alexandre
Nationality/Passport: Brazilian Year of graduation: 2023 Current Role: Project Engineer at Caterpillar

Tell me a fun fact about yourself!

I was a French and Spanish teacher to about 40 students for almost a year! 

What were you doing before you joined INSEAD?

I was born and raised in southern Brazil. I come from Curitiba, where we have colder weather than most tropical cities in my country! There, we have a fantastic barbecue and a typical hot drink: Chimarrão, a mate herb infusion, my ally in winter!

At 17, I came to France and studied a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at INSA Lyon for five years .

I interned at Airbus in 2018 and worked as a product engineer at Caterpillar for three years, in France and Hungary. There, I led global design and industrialisation projects for medium tractors weighing between 15 and 30 tons! These machines are produced and used in the four corners of the world.

And can you tell me why you decided to apply for the MIM? What are your goals post-MIM?

There are uncountable factors that make our school unique and that led me to apply to the MIM at INSEAD.

I firmly believe in our motto: “Business as a Force for Good.” As future business leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that all our decisions help to build a better world. 

Also, the MIM offers a truly international exposure: we work daily with peers from more than 35 nationalities, study in France and Singapore, and potentially in Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, and San Francisco.  

After the MIM, I aspire to join the consulting or corporate sector in Brazil or Europe, and leverage my business and engineering background for international projects that will positively impact society, such as developing new technologies, improving education, and preserving the environment. 

It’s been a whirlwind first few weeks, how has everything been going? Memorable moments so far? First impressions?

Wow, only a few weeks! I wish I didn’t get into the cliché of saying it feels like months, but that’s how it has been so far.

My most memorable moment? Hard to pick! One of them was the first day on campus: the tone was of excitement and purpose. Not only did we see our peers for the first time, but we also met part of the fantastic staff and faculty that lead INSEAD. 

Without any doubt, my strongest impression so far is of commitment. All ideas are put into action, and there is a battalion of MIMs ready to contribute to each initiative: clubs, societal initiatives, tutoring sessions, sports, and parties!

What are you most looking forward to during the rest of the programme?

If I had to choose, it would be Singapore! I have never been to Asia and look forward to discovering it with our peers and learning more about business in such a global hub.

To be honest, INSEAD is a hub for diversity and ideas. That is why I look forward to every day: to take part in exciting group work, classes, events, and initiatives.

Any tips for anyone who might be interested in pursuing a MIM in the future?

The earlier you start your process, the more comfortable you will feel with it! Do not hesitate to create your application profile on INSEAD’s website, look at the essays' content, and prepare for the GMAT/GRE and English test.

Another piece of advice: participate in the online and in-person events offered by INSEAD! I went to the in-house event in April, where I met some of my peers and experienced an exciting day on campus. 

Parting words of wisdom?

Reach out to us! Feel free to contact me or any of the MIM'23 students. Whether you want to talk to similar profiles or learn about new career paths, the best way to know INSEAD is by connecting with students, alumni and staff.