Alumni Insights

Which Bachelor’s degree programme did you complete prior to your D-MTEC studies?

I studied mechanical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, in Barcelona. It was a five-year Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme. 

Why did you choose the MSc MTEC programme?  

I realised that although I loved solving engineering and mathematical problems, I wanted to have a closer contact with people and business. I wanted to learn about strategy, corporate transformation and sustainability. The D-MTEC programme was the best fit in terms of equipping me for a position that would combine the best of my three areas of interest (technology, business and people).

At which company do you work, and what is your current position?

I currently work at Roche Diagnostics as a Head of Exploration. In this role I help teams develop customer- and patient-centric products and services through Design Thinking, Lean Startup and Agile Coaching.

I am a member of the Innovation and Research Leadership Team. As such I am responsible for the earliest phases of the innovation process, those that fill the innovation funnel. I am also responsible for introducing an innovation-oriented mindset into the broader organisation.

How did the programme influence your career?

The programme provided me with a business perspective that I had missed out on during my engineering studies, and allowed me to practice and gain confidence in group case studies and delivering presentations.

I also participated in the Corporate Master Thesis Programme with Georg Fischer AG, where I made contact with the company’s senior leadership. Right after graduation, I started working there as a Product Manager in the industry business unit.

What were the personal highlights of your D-MTEC journey?

Working together with MAS MTEC students (D-MTEC continuing education students) on case-study projects involving a diverse range of companies – from Amazon to Axpo – was certainly one highlight. It was a great learning experience to be on the same team as people who already had many years of professional experience, and at the same to use my unique skills to contribute to and support the team.

We had very bright professors with industry experience who introduced us to real case studies from various companies. I also enjoyed the guest speakers from industry, and the opportunities to work on real cases in workshops.

And of course, the Corporate Master Thesis Programme was a highlight for me. We were a group of eight students doing our thesis in the same company, and used reflected-practice methodologies to learn from our experiences and further grow in the programme. Our project sponsor, the vice president of the company, devoted time to coaching and guiding us during the journey.

What message would you like to pass on to future D-MTEC students?

You will have a lot of opportunities to learn more about business and strategy in the D-MTEC programme, as well as to get closer to companies and learn about the realities and challenges they face. You will see how they approach their current problems, and you will get to work together with them.
Be curious and eager to learn. Step out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to all the bright people that will be around you. It is okay if, at the beginning, you don’t know what you will do after D-MTEC. Learn from all areas of the programme, and figure out what you are most passionate about. And most importantly, enjoy the journey!

Which Bachelor’s degree programme did you complete prior to your D-MTEC studies?

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in IT and Management Engineering at the University of Bologna.

Why did you choose the MSc MTEC programme?  

D-MTEC looked like the perfect continuation of my Bachelor’s degree, which I really enjoyed. I was also attracted by the wide range of courses and the diversity of the students’ backgrounds.

Which career path did you pursue after your studies at D-MTEC?

I work in the Digital Factory at UBS (Multichannel Management & Digitisation Department). I currently have two roles, as digital product manager and as product owner.

What did you accomplish in the MSc MTEC programme that has helped you professionally?

I experienced working in groups, collaborating with international students and managing concurrent deadlines. I pursued an internship and started to build my network in Zurich.

What did you particularly appreciate about the MSc MTEC programme?

I was positively impressed by the number and variety of events and initiatives I was able to become involved in. I particularly enjoyed being part of the D-MTEC Mentoring Programme, which contributed a lot to my personal and professional growth. I also enjoyed the opportunity to work in groups together with MAS MTEC students and in companies.

What message would you like to pass on to future D-MTEC students?

Constructing your study plan at D-MTEC is not easy, with so many courses to choose from and so many chairs. While preparing your plan, I would suggest you try not to be influenced by market trends (the reality around us changes quickly and in unpredictable ways, as we have seen with the pandemic) and instead follow your passions and dreams.
Moreover, while studying and lectures are extremely important, you should try to make the most of your time and enjoy the additional activities that D-MTEC will offer you, which will help you build your network and discover new synergies.

Which Bachelor’s degree programme did you complete prior to your D-MTEC studies?

I earned a BSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Zagreb in Croatia.

Why did you choose the MSc MTEC programme?  

My goal was to find an opportunity, still in the early stages of my career, to complement my engineering background with expertise in technology management and economics. When researching various options around the globe for a Master’s degree programme, I felt that D-MTEC at ETH seemed to fit well with my expectations, especially due to its connections with Swiss industry.

Which career path did you pursue after your studies at D-MTEC?

I am currently a senior consultant in digital and data transformation at PwC.

After completing my studies at D-MTEC, I wanted to centre my work around engineering and problem-solving while simultaneously exploiting the strategic management, negotiation and digital business model knowledge I gained at D-MTEC. This combination has been of great value to me in my work, which consists of contributing to the solutions of complex problems in a consulting environment.

How did the programme influence your career?

The D-MTEC programme helped me to position myself in exactly the career I wanted, one at the inter-face of technology, innovation and business. Moreover, D-MTEC was a great place to build a network in Switzerland and to learn from my colleagues and their career experiences.

My former role as president of the student organisation OBIS, along with my current involvement with ETH Alumni, has helped me to deepen my understanding of the interactions between ETH and the private sector in Switzerland and to remain engaged in university initiatives.

Why would you recommend the MSc MTEC programme?

MSc MTEC provides you with an opportunity to tailor your own career path and, even more importantly, to do so at the early stages of your career. It allows BSc graduates to leverage their expertise in the field they come from as they gain management and entrepreneurship competencies that complement that expertise.

What message would you like to pass on to future D-MTEC students?

Take some time to reflect on your existing experiences, both academic and practical, and try to figure out which direction will drive and motivate you the most when you have completed your studies. D-MTEC covers many different fields of expertise, and while you will get a good overview of each of them, it is your responsibility to shape your own path and get the most out of the programme.