Why did you decide to earn a degree at Harvard Extension?
I chose a master’s in finance degree at Harvard Extension School because I wanted to build a strong financial acumen on top of my technical training. The biggest deciding factor was the flexibility to choose classes, in alignment to my areas of personal interest (financial markets and real estate investing), with world-class leaders in their industries.
How has/will your HES experience help you in your career or personal development?
Completing a degree at HES has raised the bar for my ability to take on new challenges. The education and experience received at HES has allowed me to see the big picture, widening my opportunity options in three different industries: finance, real estate and aerospace.
What was the most challenging aspect of your time at Extension? What was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part has been completing the degree while working full time, which is especially true during semesters while taking two courses. You quickly learn to become more efficient in your studying habits.
The most rewarding part of my experience has been putting the teachings of world-renowned professors into practice and achieving the second place award for the 2021 Global Investment Contest.
Do you have a favorite class or faculty member? Why?
Everyone at HES is top class, but two professors really stood out to me. Teo Nicolais has developed the best online teaching experience I have ever taken at Harvard or anywhere else. His passion for real estate truly transpires through his teaching. But his classes left a strong impression on me because I learned that through real estate, I can make a direct positive social impact on the communities I live in.
Dr. Peter Marber is another professor that stood out to me. Not only is he a great teacher but professionally, he is one of the early pioneers in the emerging market space. Being born in an emerging country myself, his courses opened my eyes to look for opportunities within international markets.
Do you have any advice for new students?
The pursuit (or not) of an educational degree is one of life’s big decisions. I believe that the degrees offered at HES can create opportunities for career advancement in your current industry, allow you to pivot into a new one or even prepare you for the entrepreneurship path.
My advice for new students is to be confident in your decisions because you can achieve them.
Describe your Extension School experience in one word.
Meaningful.
