The international exposure that INSEAD offers was undoubtedly the differentiating factor that led me to choose this programme over others I received offers for.
Rocco Pela
Tell us a little about yourself – both personally and professionally:
I was born and raised in Italy but have lived a good part of my life abroad: in Belgium, the UK, the US as well as France and Singapore thanks to INSEAD. I spent my undergraduate years at Bayes Business School and the University of Michigan.
Before pursuing the MIM, I worked as a teacher assistant at the Ross School of Business and interned at Amazon Web Services. After graduating, I started as an Associate at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in the London office, where I still am.
Why did you choose to pursue the INSEAD MIM?
The international exposure that INSEAD offers was undoubtedly the differentiating factor that led me to choose this programme over others I received offers for.
Having never lived in France nor Singapore, the INSEAD MIM gave me the perfect opportunity to explore an entirely new life experience. No other school offered such a complete package of cultural, academic and professional excellence.
Any memorable moments that you are still fond of?
Lots! If I had to pick one, I'd go for our group trip to Indonesia - having almost everyone from our cohort come together for a massive party in a stunning oceanside location was a special moment for us all.
It’s been over a year now since you graduated from the programme, how have things been for you?
Things have been great so far. Working in consulting has given me continuous learning thanks to the variety of the job. On a more fun note, the several meet ups with my ex-classmates have confirmed that my time at INSEAD has gifted me invaluable relationships that will be part of my life for years to come.
Has the programme helped you professionally?
Without a doubt. Facing the academic rigour of the programme, and having to pair it with the intense search for professional opportunities, prepared me for the structure and prioritisation required in my current job.
What was the impact of the Career Development Centre (CDC) on your professional development?
The CDC leveraged its strong professional relationships, as well as the INSEAD network to help students find interesting opportunities across different industries.
My career coach, Ruxandra Tosun, was instrumental in my professional journey - the several 1-to-1 sessions with her especially helped me in preparing for behavioural/fit interviews.
Parting words of wisdom, or any advice for prospective students and would you be willing to be contacted for any more information?
You will face the most action-packed year of your life. Be ready to fully commit to the goals you set for yourself and the relationships you develop. Enjoy! Please reach out to me on LinkedIn with any questions.
