UNC Kenan-Flagler

 

Jose Manuel Estay

MBA Class of 2009

Jose Manuel Estay

My MBA concentration: Finance

My internship

"The summer of 2008 is going to be devoted to travel and learning. First, I will participate in an exchange program with the Warwick Business School at the University of Warwick in Great Britain. Then I’ll go to China with the Working Mandarin group from Kenan-Flagler. We’ll immerse ourselves in the language, culture and businesses of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. My summer will take place at a local Investment Bank in Raleigh, NC."

Background

  • Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, came to Chapel Hill from Santiago
  • BS in Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, 2001
  • Co-founded and led an information technology business in Chile that ultimately diversified into a financial services and real estate asset management company known as La Carretilla, 2001-2006
  • Became a silent partner in La Carretilla and moved on to work as a senior consultant for Loyal Global Solutions, a firm focused on helping clients maintain employee and customer loyalty, 2006-2007

Career goals

"An MBA will help me integrate all my experiences and to think more analytically about many industries. In the short term, I plan on working in the corporate finance sector. Mid-term, I hope to go into private equity and help secure companies. Ultimately, I want to be a partner in a consulting boutique."

Why I chose UNC

  • It’s diverse
  • Location in the southern U.S. and Chapel Hill’s lifestyle
  • Cooperative yet challenging environment
  • Teaching that is hands-on and case-based versus top-down and lecture-based

Student life

"Being at UNC has been very transformational. I’ve learned more about life balance because there are equal opportunities for learning, leadership and play – I belong to the soccer club and the wine club. I sense the change in myself. I’m a more confident person. I’ve expanded my network very much. I’m more focused on understanding people; I now see things as both a mentor and mentee. And I’m more effective at articulating in public and making a persuasive case for something. These are all things that will serve me well no matter where I am or what I’m doing."

My experience of the MBA program at UNC

  • "You’re encouraged to speak your thoughts, to debate. Debating all sides of an issue in a respectful atmosphere is very useful."
  • "Faculty members answer e-mail on Sundays!"
  • "You learn as much from classmates as you do from professors. The team approach is great."

The UNC Kenan-Flagler network

"The network opens to you before you arrive at UNC and it stays open. I received lots of help with managing the paperwork and all the other bureaucratic things that must be seen to when you come from another country. Groups like the Consulting Club and the Finance Club sponsor workshops with great speakers, including alumni, talking about everything from career development to personnel challenges. And a professor of mine offered to forward my resume to a consulting company in Europe. I’m still talking to them about an internship or job."

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