Marisol Morales Martínez

IE Business School

“Psychologist impacting the corporate world with empathy, inclusion, and collaboration in personal and professional environments.”

Age: 27

Hometown: San José, Costa Rica

Fun fact about yourself:

• My name is Marisol, which means ‘the sea and the sun’ in Spanish, perfectly reflecting my passions. I have a deep love for nature and enjoy outdoor sports, including mountain biking and hiking. My last bike adventure was a 100 km race, and my most recent hike was up Chirripó, the highest mountain in Costa Rica
• ⁠⁠Psychology background with honors in finance!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor in Psychology and Master in Business and Administration.

Where are you currently working?

Company: Almosi, animal feed producer in Costa Rica.

Position: I am currently transitioning from a background in Human Resources to a position in Project Management

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I am most proud of in my professional career is my journey from starting as a Psychologist to leading a project in a corporate setting.

I began my career in Human Resources and administration, and now I have the honor of leading a significant project.

This transition has been both surprising and rewarding. I’ve been able to positively impact people not only through psychology, but also through management—a different perspective but equally important.

Even during my MBA, I faced fears that my non-business background would hinder me. However, through effort and perseverance, I leveraged my skills and succeeded, ultimately finishing in the top 20% of my class. This journey has reinforced my belief in my abilities and adaptability, and I am proud and eager to continue growing in my professional career.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I knew that working and studying simultaneously would be a significant challenge, but that was one of the reasons I chose IE’s part-time program. It was an invaluable opportunity to enrich myself with the real-time work experiences of my classmates and to meet extraordinary individuals who excel in their master’s studies, careers, and other areas of life.

IE is also renowned for its strong training in entrepreneurship. Although entrepreneurship is a challenging journey, the preparation we received provided invaluable support, equipping us to face real-life situations with confidence.

Moreover, the program offered incredible diversity, not only in terms of the different countries and cultures I was exposed to, but also in the variety of educational backgrounds, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches. This rich diversity significantly broadened my horizons and enhanced my learning experience.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? Even though the program was conducted remotely, it encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and provided me the opportunity to connect with people whom I likely would not have met in person. One of these people is Andrii Laba, who, due to the situation in his home country Ukraine, could not attend any face-to-face meetings. He is someone I deeply admire for his excellence, perseverance, and resilience throughout this past year-and-a-half, motivating and teaching me and the MBA cohort that when you persevere you can achieve your goals.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? Given that it was a part-time program with most classes being online, I didn’t expect to consolidate close relationships. To my surprise, the opposite happened. The closest friendships I have today are those I made during the MBA. We spent most of our time together and became a fundamental support system for one another throughout the year-and-a-half and for what it is to come.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I believe both experiences have their pros and cons. One significant difference is the stage of life at which I pursued my MBA. At this stage, I have a clearer sense of where I want to be personally and professionally, which greatly enriched my experience.

The online format allowed me to expand my network of contacts significantly, both professionally—finding support in almost any area of work—and personally, forming friendships that I deeply value.

However, I did miss the face-to-face activities and moments where you can enjoy yourself without being in front of a screen. Additionally, in-person learning has its merits; it can push you out of your comfort zone. This may include presenting in front of your class, engaging in debates, and having a conversation after class with your professor.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Take advantage of the knowledge of your peers, sometimes the greatest learning will come from the people next to you. Take advantage of working in groups, learn different ways to solve problems, embrace conflict because there is always something to learn about it.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? Online education has made me more efficient in my work. I learned that I can effectively perform tasks that do not require my physical presence in the company. It helped me develop the habit of holding regular meetings with remote team members, which fostered closer communication. I feel I can accomplish more in less time, better organize my schedule, and implement new methods to improve my work processes

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Having spent five years in administration and human resources, now I am given the opportunity to lead a new project as a direct result of my MBA. The company aims to develop a new sales channel in the pet sector, and I am excited to spearhead this initiative. It is a great challenge out of my comfort zone, but I have a strong team with which I feel supported to meet the objectives of the project.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? I chose an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program for several key reasons. The online format offered the invaluable experience of learning from the real-time work situations of my classmates, who are remarkable individuals excelling in various fields. Also, the diversity of the program, which encompasses different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds, served as incentive for my educational journey.

Moreover, the online setting offered a significant network of contacts, both professionally and personally, that I might not have encountered in a traditional setting. This would help me to gain support across various work areas which was crucial for me. The flexibility of an online program also allowed me to seamlessly integrate my studies with my professional and personal commitments, enhancing my overall learning experience.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: This is a difficult question as it depends on the classes we were taking. I would say an average of 25-35 hours per week, I know, that is a lot! But every hour was worth it!

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate professional goal has evolved over time, especially after completing my master’s degree, which opened up a wide range of possibilities. Eventually, I aim to become an entrepreneur, managing all aspects of a business from the ground up and driving its growth. To achieve this, I believe there are still stages of professional development I need to pursue within the corporate world to continue growing and gaining the necessary experience.

On a global level, my education in psychology and management has strengthened my commitment to making a positive impact on the people around me. Whether it’s my team, my clients, or through the products and services I provide, I aspire to create meaningful and positive changes through my work.

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