Vinicius Pinheiro’s switch from engineering to business was actually his second major career change. “I played professional handball starting in childhood,” he recalls. “I reached a point where I had to decide between a career in sports or engineering school.”

Before starting the MBA program at Vanderbilt, Vinicius’s 5 years of work as an engineer took him across South America, Europe, and the U.S. It also whetted a desire to shift his focus to business operations. “I realized a technical engineering career wasn’t where my true passion lay,” he says. “What I truly valued and enjoyed most was understanding business dynamics and how individual projects could impact overall business performance.”

He chose Vanderbilt because of its personal scale and emphasis on the development of leadership skills. “My global work experience had sparked a keen interest in leadership, particularly in integrating cultural diversity and different perspectives into business decision-making,” he says. “I also wanted to broaden my understanding across business functions, such as operations, marketing, and finance.”

For Vinicius, the MBA program offered an opportunity to explore different career paths and identify those he would find most rewarding. “I started the program thinking I would concentrate on marketing and consumer psychology, but I pivoted to operations and strategy,” he says. “I benefited from the flexibility to participate in multiple eye-opening events focusing on healthcare, finance, and entrepreneurship, and to take interesting classes.”

Vinicius worked with 2 coaches in the Leadership Development Program, who helped him navigate American business culture. “Adapting to the U.S. culture while bringing my own personal touch was challenging at first,” he says. “As an international student, fitting in is important, but my coach reminded me that I bring specific and unique perspectives that should influence my decision-making in a business context.”

Vinicius’s internship with Emerson, a manufacturing company, netted him an offer, and he moved to St. Louis after graduation. “I came to the program with a goal of exploring multiple career paths, and the core classes provided the foundation that allowed me to think like a general manager and to view business from a holistic perspective,” he says. “I am excited to see what the future holds, and I don’t think I could have achieved it without my MBA education.”

Fun Fact: Vinicius served as president of the Latin Business Association at Owen.

Vanderbilt’s Leadership Development Program was tailored to my needs and allowed me to identify and work on the gaps in my leadership skills.