13 October 2016
When MBA students graduate, many go into consulting or finance. Some join Silicon Valley’s tech giants. Some even start businesses of their own. But not Jose.
The Colombia’s Government has been in constant conflict with left-wing guerrilla group FARC – The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – since its formation in 1964.
This August, both sides reached a landmark peace deal after nearly four years of negotiation. But on 2 October, the Colombian public rejected the deal, 50.2% voting against peace in a referendum decided by less than 54,000 votes.
Even so, Jose believes Colombia is closer to peace than ever before. Its president, Juan Manuel Santos, was recently awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his efforts.
And after he completes his MBA in 2017, he has ambitious plans to use the skills he’s gained to help end more than 50 years of civil war and bring peace to his native Colombia.
It’s the culmination of a life-long career in the Colombian National Police he joined aged just 19.Now a senior ranking official, in 2015, he was sponsored by the Colombian government to undertake his MBA he in Edinburgh.
In a recent interview with Business Because, he shared his experience and ambitious plans for the future.
What stands out from your experience in the Colombian National Police?
“Everything that I’ve been a part of has contributed towards the peace talks between the Government of Colombia and the guerrilla movement, FARC.
“Being part of this process of change has been very difficult. I’ve worked with people in strategic places in the Ministry of Defence and the government. And I’ve worked trying to prevent terrorist attacks from happening, experiencing extreme situations where peoples’ lives are at stake.
“I’ve learned many lessons about myself, about human emotions, and the importance of being part of the righteous.”
What are your hopes for the future?
“After I complete my studies I have a commitment, and a responsibility, to go back to Colombia and make a significant contribution.
“The referendum polarized the country. But maybe the result was something necessary to reach a broader agreement. We have an exceptional opportunity to do so. And the Ministry of Defence is already preparing for the post-conflict stage.
“I think it’s something that definitely needs to happen.
“In the long-term, I would love to do a doctorate degree. I’m doing my dissertation now. Most of my classmates don’t like it, but it’s something that I really enjoy. Then, I would like to work as a consultant. I go for anything that could represent a challenge.”
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
“I wanted to open new avenues and provide new skills in any career. My background is unusual, but the programme can be suitable for anyone no matter their background. More than the obvious management skills it offers, it is an interdisciplinary degree drawing from the fields of economics, accounting, finance, even sociology.”
Why did you choose to study at University of Edinburgh Business School in particular?
“I liked the opportunity of going on an exchange – with the chance to go to Australia, China, Mexico, Spain, France – and the possibility of an internship. I’d always worked for the government in my country and I wanted to test myself in a totally different environment.
“I was also aware of the reputation of the university as a whole. It’s globally recognized for research, development and innovation, and over 430 years old. Plus, Edinburgh the city, is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world.”
How has your experience in the Colombian police prepared you for a career in business?
“The main role of an intelligence agent is to collect information and support the decision-making process of commanders and politicians.
“The leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills I learned from working with people under my command have already been useful on the programme. I worked in high-pressure situations, and my job required a lot of analytical and problem-solving skills.”
How have you profited from your experience so far?
“The MBA has been a journey of learning about myself. I’m now wiser than before. And I’ve discovered that I love academic research.
“Before the programme, I had a lot of preconceived ideas which played a huge role in my judgement and my decision-making. I learned not to let myself use previous assumptions in judging people. I’ve made very good friends from the private sector and I’ve learned a lot about their respective industries.
“To say it has been a life-changing experience is a cliché, but it’s true. From all the experiences that I’ve had in my life, this was the one that changed me the most.”
What should applicants think about when deciding to do an MBA?
“Understand that it’s a process unique to you. If you know what you want, and you put everything into it, the MBA is something that could change your life in a positive way.
“I would say that if you have the opportunity, don’t hesitate to do it.”
A version of this interview originally appeared on Business Because: The Business School Network.