BizBuzz
BizBuzz Home | http://business.fiu.edu

Winning essay earns student MBA scholarship—and paves the way for an exciting career change.

“What would an MBA do for your career?”

Livia Esteves Guedes Muzzi

Answering this question won Livia Esteves Guedes Muzzi the opportunity to pursue an International MBA (IMBA) in Florida International University’s College of Business Administration.

It all came about when the university and Latin Trade magazine partnered earlier this year to launch the Latin Trade MBA Challenge, offering participants the chance to win a full-tuition scholarship for the IMBA program in the college’s Chapman Graduate School of Business.

To quality for the one-year, full-time MBA scholarship, candidates had to have maintained at least a 3.6 GPA as an undergraduate and scored 600 or higher on the GMAT. In addition, they had to submit an essay that persuasively answered the thought-provoking question about the value of an MBA.

Muzzi met all the qualifications and became the first Latin Trade MBA Challenge winner.

“This opens many new doors for me,” she said. “I am grateful for this opportunity, and I believe that an MBA from Florida International University will enable me to achieve my goals and succeed with a new career in private banking.”

Proven professional talents lay foundation for move to the next career.

From left to right: José de la Torre, Chapman School dean; Livia Muzzi, scholarship winner; and Mike Zellner, Latin Trade publisher

Before coming to the United States, Muzzi worked as a civil engineer and entrepreneur in the apartment construction and sales business in Brazil.

In her essay, she discussed the rationale for her career transition.

“Having followed the careers of a number of individuals in private banking, I am convinced that I have the right profile to succeed in this new field, working closely with Latin American customers,” she said.

In particular, Muzzi cited her ability to develop high-level business relationships with sophisticated clientele as an attribute supporting her move into private banking.

Time flies in fast-paced MBA program—with its clear international emphasis.

Muzzi began her IMBA program in August, 2007. She describes her experience as intense, often challenging, and always rewarding.

“I’m aiming for a position as a financial relationship manager—someone who travels frequently to other countries to meet with banking clients,” she said. “To do this job well, I need to have good knowledge of the macro factors driving global economies. The college provides the right curriculum and environment for focusing on international business at this level.”

Muzzi appreciates the circle of international friends she is making through the IMBA program.

“I’m building a network of colleagues that will be a professional asset in the future,” she said.