Eye on Alumni: Lluís Mateo '09
Lluís Mateo (Finance '09) is working in the Project Department at ThyssenKrupp Elevator in Dubai (UAE). There he combines his knowledge of organizational processes and corporate finance with his previous training as an engineer to execute complex, large-scale projects.
From Barcelona to Dubai - any stops along the way?
I joined ThyssenKrupp last January (2010), but stayed three months in Madrid for theoretical training, called TK Seed campus, with other graduates recruited from all over the world. By March I was told that I'd be sent to Dubai.
What are your main responsibilities as a project engineer?
My main responsibilities are to guarantee and control a smooth execution of the assigned projects. Meaning, coordinate with factories, client and other departments of the company, to ensure a correct and on-time installation of our systems. But also to control and monitor all the costs and variations of the projects in order to remain within the allocated budget.
Although I haven't been with the department for very long, it's amazing being out there, in the real world, being part of the implementation of projects. I feel the impact of my work whether through my contributions in presentations, the coordination I implement with other departments to achieve some specific goals, personal meetings with the client, or simply, when plugging all the numbers into an Excel sheet, realizing how big sometimes our projects are.
How has your Finance training helped in your engineering work?
Since the Finance Program is quite theoretical and focused on the study and analysis of stock markets, here at TKEUAE the application of these concepts is not direct. However, most of the concepts reviewed in the course of Corporate Finance, mainly the ones related to budget allocation, are needed to execute a good economic control of the project.
On the other side, I'm really grateful for the holistic view that the master program gave me. Personally, as an engineer I now find myself with a much higher understanding of organizational processes at all levels, and much better prepared for future management duties.
What is it like living and working in Dubai?
My life is in Dubai is basically working hard during weekdays (no time left to do anything else), and hang out with my friends during weekends. Since Dubai is a city full of young, well prepared and diverse people from all over the globe, it is really great to have access to so many interesting characters. Also, Dubai is a really fun city in terms of nightlife.
I would advise other GSE students, especially those who are from Barcelona, to try professional experiences abroad.
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