What led to your interest in finance?

Having a Bachelor degree in International Hospitality Management from Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne was a good achievement. I could have obviously stopped there and started seeking a job. However, I always wanted to know how to make and manage money correctly.

Despite the fact that finance is perceived as monotonous work, I believe that without this knowledge it is impossible to run a successful business. My interest in finance was not only driven by the industry growth and potential career path, but also relates to my curiosity about developing an analytical know-how in planning, management and control of financial resources. In today’s competitive environment, it is extremely difficult to make money and I always knew that finance knowledge would help me with that. In addition, why paying someone to manage your fortune if you can learn to do it yourself?

Why did you decide to join BSL?

I have been living in Lausanne for 8 years already and I heard about Business School Lausanne from different sources such as journals, websites, etc. My friends, who currently occupy very prestigious positions in well-known banks and equity firms, were the best proof to me that BSL provides a valuable education. I think the best description of the school is not the marketing brochures but real examples we see upon students’ graduation. It did not take me long to decide where to study once I had spoken to BSL alumni who were able to find the job they wanted.

Choose a university and major you love, and you will never have to study a day in your life. BSL with its Master in Finance program became such a place for me!

How has your experience been so far?

My experience at BSL can be described in two words: simply amazing. It is fascinating to have small classes where you can have professors’ full attention, ask as many questions as possible, inquire for additional topics to be covered and learn from your peers. We all know each other here and we feel like a big family. Teachers in this school are real experts in their domain and I highly appreciate the fact that we are taught real-life lessons rather than theoretical knowledge. Even though I have chosen a master in finance program, I enormously value the fact that we have classes on personal growth and development which allow us to find our path in the future.

What are you passionate about? How will you bring your passion to your work in the future?

I am passionate about travelling, meeting new people, exploring different places and cultures. It makes me think about the diversity that we currently experience. This was another reason for choosing BSL for my master studies. Here, we are able to connect and communicate with people from all over the world. Each day is a discovery and an opportunity to learn something new. Fortunately, it is impossible to avoid diversity in work nowadays due to the interconnectedness of businesses in different countries. I am happy that I will be able to bring this aspect to my work in the future.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

You would probably expect to hear something like a singer or an actress. But no… I never knew what I wanted to do when I was a child. I always changed my thoughts about my future. The only thing I was certain about was that I wanted to be like my father and to work with him in the future. I think I am getting closer and closer to my goals. Let’s see where the future takes us.

Who or what inspires you?

My father has always been a role model for me. Seeing him working hard towards the achievement of his goals has inspired me to aim for the best. He always says that you should either do your best or it’s not worth trying at all. Whenever I am feeling down, I always remember his words and put myself back on track. I wish one day I could say that I was able to be like him to at least some extend. He has been and will always be my best friend and an inspiring role model.

How do you see your professional future in 5 years from now? What will you be doing?

Ideally, I would like to work for myself. The world, however, is so uncertain and current trends are changing rapidly. Looking to the future in 5 years from now, I have difficulties saying where I will be or what I will be doing. The only thing I know for sure is that I see myself working in a place that I love. I cannot imagine waking up in the morning with a feeling of disliking my job. Thanks to my work experience, even if it is not enormous, I have understood that money is not the only thing to take into account when choosing a job. What is the point of earning millions if you are unhappy?

If you could make one significant change to the world, what would it be?

There are many things I wish I could change in the world but, unfortunately, it is so complex that it is easier said than done. Coming from a country where a minimum monthly wage is $90, I wish for more equality among people. I believe that there is nothing impossible and if people were happier, there would be no need to steal money, make wars, or even argue with each other. I definitely understand that mankind evolution is based on the “survival of the fittest” principle and everyone tries to get the biggest part of the pie. However, if each of us took responsibility for our own actions, the entire world would change without any intervention. Each of us should start with ourselves if we want to improve the current situation and seek for sustainability. So, the thing I wish I could bring to people is the understanding that they must think and act responsibly.