Federico Francesco La Rocca Fichera

How was your MBA shaped by the human connections you created during your learning journey?

The greatest value I take away from my MBA is not only what I learned in the classroom, but above all the people I met throughout the journey.

Working alongside professionals from different companies, industries, and backgrounds taught me to look at challenges from different perspectives, question my own assumptions, and grow both as a professional and as a person.

At the same time, continuously interacting with classmates working in different functions, industries, and business environments allowed me to learn new approaches, ways of working, and best practices that I would have hardly been exposed to within my own organization. This exchange of experiences has been one of the most enriching aspects of the entire MBA journey.

It also led to genuine and lasting relationships. Some classmates have become true friends—people with whom I shared challenges, achievements, and moments of personal growth that go far beyond the academic experience.

Our project work, classroom discussions, team activities, and even the informal moments outside class helped build relationships based on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Other classmates are now part of a valuable professional network that I am confident will continue to create opportunities and meaningful exchanges in the years ahead.

I believe that the true value of an MBA lies not only in the degree itself, but in the community you build along the way. For me, it was this network of people that made the experience truly transformative. 

How did your MBA journey help you master skills while balancing your studies with your career?

Pursuing a part-time MBA while working full-time was a challenging experience that taught me much more than theory alone.

Balancing my studies, career, and personal life required making conscious choices, giving up part of my free time at certain stages, and learning to set clear priorities. As a result, I developed stronger time management, greater discipline, and a more structured approach to organizing my work and commitments.

One of the most valuable aspects of the journey was the opportunity to immediately apply what I learned in the classroom to my professional role, while also bringing real workplace experiences back into class discussions. This continuous exchange between theory and practice made the learning experience highly relevant and accelerated my professional growth.

Looking back, I believe the greatest achievement was not only mastering new managerial skills, but also learning how to successfully balance multiple responsibilities while staying focused on my long-term goals.