Thiago Mastenbroek discovered his passion for finance through his bachelor’s degree in business management, which included an internship at Deloitte. But after finishing the degree in his home country, Belgium, he wasn’t sure exactly how to step into the competitive world of global finance.
Thiago wanted a master’s degree that would go beyond theory and give him hands-on, real-world experience. When he came across the Master in Finance at IE Business School, he knew this was the opportunity he had been looking for. The school’s prestigious reputation, plus the chance to immerse himself in a new European environment, made his choice easy.
However, around the same time, Thiago had taken on a project management role with a global air freight supplier. He wanted to gain work experience and explore another area of interest: operations and logistics. When he received his offer from IE Business School, he decided to defer his place to the next intake so that he could continue working for a few months.
This allowed him not only to get more real-world experience but also to gain clarity on the direction he wanted to take. By the time he arrived in Madrid, he had a much clearer sense of his professional ambitions: he wanted to find a path that combined finance and logistics. And he soon found out that the Master in Finance was exactly the place to do that.
A different kind of master’s program
From the moment Thiago arrived in Madrid, it was clear the Master in Finance wasn’t your typical finance program. One of the first things that struck him was the size of his cohort. With around only 90 students in his intake, Thiago noticed the immediate sense of community and connection between them, something that is harder to achieve in larger groups. “I could really regard all of my classmates as good friends,” he says. At the same time, the group’s diversity brings unique experiences and perspectives to class discussions and projects.
The faculty’s global industry experience is another of the program’s differentiating factors. “All of the professors are currently working or have worked at companies that we would like to end up at,” Thiago explains, noting that their real-world insights and advice add a lot of value to the classes.
“You get access to some really high-level, high-quality people, and they help you in every way.”
In terms of the program itself, it has exactly the practical element Thiago was seeking. Through hands-on projects, industry connections and exchange opportunities with leading financial organizations, the Master in Finance puts students in real-world situations, making them better prepared and more confident when they enter the job market.
The curriculum is continuously updated to reflect the latest developments and trends, and the program is also highly customizable, so each student can curate their own unique learning journey. In the final term, students pick one of three specialization tracks, allowing students like Thiago to hone in on an area of interest. At the same time, a wide range of electives mean they don’t have to limit themselves to a single focus if they’re unsure of the direction they want to take.
Preparing for the next steps
Thiago is now preparing for his final evaluation. For this, he chose from seven distinct options, including an academic research project, a microfinance project in Ghana and a CFA research challenge. Like many of his peers, Thiago opted to do a real-life, full-cycle company valuation project in collaboration with a top financial institution partner of IE, working on a team to take on a real-life project. “It’s a really great opportunity,” he says. “You get access to some really high-level, high-quality people, and they help you in every way.”
“Many members of our clubs have gotten internships or job opportunities because of these connections that are made with companies.”
Thiago also highlights the ongoing support and advice from the dedicated Master in Finance IE Talent & Careers team as a key element of the IE Experience. Getting help with his CV and cover letters has been particularly helpful now that he is starting to apply for jobs. Thiago mentions that he and many of his classmates entered the program thinking investment banking would be their only professional option, but guest speaker workshops have exposed them to the broader range of roles and sectors open to them.
The extracurricular activities offered at the school also provide valuable opportunities for networking, skill-building and industry connections. As class representative in his first term, Thiago built his confidence as a leader, and he has since become an officer of both the IE Agribusiness Club and the IE Commodities Club. He shares how these activities can open professional doors: “Many members of our clubs have gotten internships or job opportunities because of these connections that are made with companies.”
A Master in Finance designed for real career impact
As Thiago progresses through his master’s journey, he has been able to define his goals more clearly thanks to the industry insights he has gained. His story demonstrates exactly what the Master in Finance offers: real-world industry exposure, global perspectives and personalized support to help students discover where they want to make their mark.
By embracing the international environment and taking advantage of the program’s practical learning opportunities, Thiago has taken his learning beyond theory to develop genuine career readiness. The value of the Master in Finance lies in the confidence, networks and real-world perspective developed along the way, which helps students step into their future with clarity and purpose.
Benjamin is the editor of Uncover IE. His writing is featured in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Vol. 19, The Primer and Moonflake Press. Benjamin provided translation for “FalseStuff: La Muerte de las Musas”, winner of Best Theatre Show at the Max Awards 2024.
Benjamin was shortlisted for the Bristol Old Vic Open Sessions 2016 and the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2023.
