IE Asia Pacific Networking Cocktail

APAC-people from the IE MBA as well as Masters congregate at this paper structure~

IE organized this networking cocktail for people in the Asia Pacific region at one of IE's venue halls. It was an opportunity for people to meet others from other programs and likewise allow them to network or learn opportunities in their respective countries.

Of course I was early... I finished all my work and was ready to chat~

The networking cocktail was held at Serrano 99, at one of IE's buildings. The venue was actually designed by one of IE's students a couple of months back. And guess what... all the pipes on top, pillars, everything... all made of paper. Amazing, isn't it?

Anyway, I reached the venue 10 minutes early~ hence the empty photo. But, being early does have its perks... like being able to talk with people earlier too. I had a chance to talk with Pierre once more, as well as Kaga and a few others. By 6pm, well, the place was suddenly full of networkers!

What's a cocktail without food? Well, no problem~ jamon, queso and a bunch of other mini tapas to the rescue!

The other early birds (myself included!)

During the event, I finally met the other Filipino studying here~ Pia. I had heard of her name before but I thought that she already graduated or something. All along I thought she was in the MBA program... but it turns out that she was actually a student of the Masters in Market Research and Consumer Behavior program. No wonder!

We met each other when she heard my name (and I knew instantly who she was when I heard hers). Amazing! Anyway, it turns out Pia is a cousin of my elementary / high school / university schoolmate Bits, who now works in Singapore (In SG, I've run into him coincidentally on the street... twice). Small world huh? (Well, I still haven't seen Beyonce on the street... so maybe it's not that small after all!)

Pia! I finally met you here in IE! Now I'm not the only Filipino here in school... well, that's until you graduate next month!

Pia & Sankar!

I likewise met Sankar during this session~ who was also Pia's program-mate. Interesting & nice people. Guys back home, if you need any people in Market Research, this duo is your duo!

At the event, I also reconnected with Dirk Hopfl~ IE's representative for Singapore and South East Asia. Dirk was actually responsible for introducing IE Business School to me, and ultimately the person who conducted my interview during the entire application process. We talked about IE's recent event in Manila and how it was attended by 60 - 70 people. We likewise talked about the Singapore Trek we're organizing in August~ and how we intend to link IE students with the alumni, companies, as well as recruiters. Dirk shared some valuable insights on how we should organize the event~ and possibly work with headhunters to improve the IE brand further.

The cool crew: Daisuke, Prasad, Ben and Keunwoo! Cheers!

It was a nice session~ and I was appreciative that the initiative came from IE itself. Usually, these events are student-led~ and so I valued that the school was proactive in making something like this happen. I understand that there were also other similar events happening like this at the same time (for the US, the Swiss, etc.)... all in the spirit for building a stronger network within school. Hats off to the organizers! :)