Ícaro dos Santos
University of Wisconsin‑Madison, Wisconsin School of Business
MBA Graduation Year: 2017
Current Job: Chief Research Officer, Astus Medical Manufacturing LLC
Armed with a Ph.D. in engineering, Ícaro has spent his career working on projects that make a difference in the world. From improving medical technology in Brazil to launching equipment for the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System, Ícaro had a wealth of experiences that set him up for success as the Chief Research Officer for Astus Medical Technology. Ícaro chose the Wisconsin MBA so he could gain the strategic business skills needed to launch a new office for his company.
The Wisconsin MBA is a critical part of my business success. Coupled with my research experience, the Wisconsin MBA has provided the foundation I needed for success. I was offered the opportunity to set up a new location for my company. I knew that in order to actively run the critical areas of the organization—budget, marketing, determining our place in the market, and turning a profit—I needed to know more about management and business practices.
Support from Wisconsin faculty and program staff has really made a difference. It’s easy for people who work and have families to feel nervous about starting an MBA program. Everyone who works here understands that. The faculty and staff are incredibly supportive and take care of so many details, making it easier to focus on my education.
The Wisconsin MBA has made it possible for me to work smarter—I’m already applying class concepts at work. The things I learn in class on Friday are relevant to my company, and I often apply those concepts by Monday or Tuesday. I thought it would be a challenge to balance my job with the program requirements, but the coursework is actually saving me time overall.
The Wisconsin Executive MBA is the right choice. It had been ten years since I’d taken an exam, so of course I was apprehensive about that at first. But everything has turned out really well and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I’m learning so much and I am excited to see what the future holds.
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