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Students in Latin America can earn two graduate degrees in as many years through the Dual Degree program offered in the Chapman Graduate School: an MBA from their "home" institution and a Master of International Business (MIB) from FIU. They also can remain in the United States for an additional year to work under the Optional Practical Training program. Carlos Ivan Torres found the program a great way to end up with two very different graduate degrees, while it helped Ricardo Santos fulfill several personal and professional objectives. An Unexpected Welcome
The day after Carlos Ivan Torres arrived in Miami to begin his Master of International Business (MIB), a much less welcome visitor to South Florida put in an appearance: Hurricane Frances . Her arrival closed the University but didn't dampen his excitement. He already had warm feelings toward the people in the MIB program office, and he was looking forward to taking yet another step in his academic career. This summa cum laude graduate of Universidad Industrial de Santander UIS, Bucaramanga, with a degree in computer science engineering, had begun his MBA at Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia, a Dual Degree partner school. Beyond his academic interests, he is accomplished in the business world. He had worked as a Solution Manager, Wireless Networks, for Ericsson North Latin America and as a Specialized Services Engineer at Ericsson, Bogota. He also had been a CIT Support Engineer for Ecopetrol ICP and a Web Solutions Manager at Smartech Ltd, both in Bucaramanga. Come 2005, he'll add an MIB from FIU to his growing list of credentials. When he contemplated doing graduate work in the United States, Torres considered Tulane, but chose FIU in part because, "I thought it would be more interesting and that I would learn a lot more if I didn't get a second MBA, but got a different graduate degree instead," he said. He has no regrets. "I really like the diversity among my classmates," he said. "People have good experience on many different topics and work in very different kinds of companies. Those differences enrich our class discussions. And the professors really know what they are talking about." Short term, he hopes to land a job in a top consulting firm. "That will enable me to apply all the international business skills I've learned from both my MBA and MIB, combined with finance, marketing, and strategy-my favorite fields. And I'll be able to make use of my technology background from both my B.S. in computer science engineering and all the telecommunications work I've done," he said. Longer term, he hopes to open a company in the United States or Colombia . "I want to create something and sell it worldwide," he said. He knows that he'll have to focus on both services and manufacturing to succeed, but his varied background gives him the confidence to do so. Eyeing a Fifth Degree Since getting his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at Gama Filho University in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1980, Ricardo Santos has pursued other degree work there. In 1992, he received a post graduate degree in Public Administration at Fundação Getulio Vargas and, in 2003, an Executive MBA at COPPEAD.
Why has he devoted so much time to academic pursuits? "I have as a principle that to improve my knowledge is a continuous professional and personal necessity," Santos said. And his academic adventure was not over. While taking his MBA, he learned about the Chapman School's Dual Degree program, in which COPPEAD is an institutional partner. He saw the academic opportunity, recognized the way the program could help prepare him for a management position-another goal of his-and was attracted by the fact that it was "a unique chance for me and my family to study and live in a developed country." Now Angra 2 Nuclear Power Plant Deputy Superintendent, he credits the MIB with helping him improve his management performance and knows it will assist him as he plans his future. "My next goal is to work abroad in the energy sector, and the MIB gave me the theoretical basis necessary to meet this challenge," he said, adding that he has recommended the program to many other students at COPPEAD because it "creates value and is a great personal and professional opportunity." According to Santos, "The work I did at FIU helped me in many respects. From each subject that I studied, I acquired important information that I can use in my professional life, particularly concerning the international approach that needs to be considered when doing business abroad." His fellow students played an important role, too. "The relationship among the group was excellent. We created a solid network, which I think was essential for my success in the course because we shared experiences and exchanged information about international business." Despite his long list of degrees, Santos isn't done yet. "I think that a good indicator about how satisfied I am with the Chapman School is my intention to come back and take the Ph.D.," he said.
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