Continuing our series, we are excited to share the story of Santi, a Merchant GMAT & Admissions alumnus who completed his MBA at Foster School of Business. His path led him from a summer internship at Starbucks to an exciting role at C3 AI, a leading enterprise AI software provider. Santi’s journey showcases the power of resilience, adaptability, and leveraging the collective intelligence of your MBA network.

Summer Internship Experience: Thinking Outside the Box at Starbucks

Santi completed his summer internship at Starbucks in September 2024, where he was challenged to think beyond traditional analytical tools. “Developing alternative thinking beyond standard analytical tools was key. I had to assess a GTM strategy in an emerging market for a portfolio of products that had no historical data and presented a great opportunity for the company,” he shares. This experience pushed him to think creatively and develop innovative solutions.
One of his biggest challenges was the lack of historical data. “Because we didn't have historical data, I had to rely on alternative methods to understand the maturity of the market (such as the existence of secondary or 'black' markets of the product) as well as study the target demographics," Santi explains.

Job-Hunting Process: A Rollercoaster Ride with a Winning Goal in Sight

After his internship, Santi faced a challenging job market. “After my internship, the job-hunting process was incredibly tough,” he recalls. To stay motivated during rejections and waiting periods, he turned to his support network and found inspiration in unexpected places.
“I would go on long bike rides and hiking with my friends. They always reminded me of my professional and personal worth. Some of them gave me great ideas on where to apply, how to differentiate myself from other candidates, and what strategies to use,” Santi says. “Most of my networking and useful skills to navigate the job market came from friends I made there. There is a phenomenon of collective intelligence which students can leverage, and a lot of nice people that are happy to support you.”
“One unexpected twist during my job search was that halfway through I started to see the end of the road,” he reveals. “My first months during my job search were incredibly frustrating; each rejection felt worse than the previous one. But as time went by, I realized that my interviewing skills had sharpened, and the interview invites I was receiving were for roles that were even better than I had expected. I had also refined my understanding of my professional differentiator vs. other candidates, which reduced the scope of my search and helped me minimize efforts. Halfway through, I started to 'smell' the winning goal, and that kept me energized to keep going.”

Interview Experience: The Power of Case Interviews and Frameworks

Through his interviews, Santi discovered a preference for case interviews. “One insight I gained from my interviews was you never know what is going into the decision-making process of a candidate, so don’t punch yourself if things didn't go accordingly,” he shares.
“I developed frameworks on how I would go about developing a data science model to solve a problem for a client, and then most importantly, I connected my experiences and stories to the different issues/items in the framework. For example: I identified 7 steps to follow to solve a client's problem with an ML model, and then when telling a story about strategic thinking, I would connect it to a specific step of the framework, such as data exploration or scope narrowing. Most importantly, I would announce the framework before telling the story, so they could see that I had a structured and logical approach in my thinking,” Santi explains.

Taking the Next Step in His Consulting Career

This opportunity has allowed him to build on his consulting experience, work across geographies, and contribute to high-profile projects that shape industry strategies. “Kearney’s global reach and focus on strategic problem-solving make it an ideal place for me to grow and refine my skills while making a real impact,” Francisco notes.

Landing the Job at C3 AI: Embracing the Excitement of AI

Landing the role at C3 AI brought a mix of relief and happiness. “Overcoming the challenges of the job search felt like cracking an extremely hard puzzle. Every time an approach would fail, I would have to re-evaluate my strategies, try to objectively assess the situation and my actions, and then build my determination.”
The role aligns with Santi's desire to make a meaningful contribution to the transformative field of AI. “Right now, my focus isn't on the long term—I’m too energized by the excitement of learning and discovering new things! AI technologies have always captured my curiosity, not only for their potential to drive economic productivity but also for their role in reshaping how we define humanity. I never imagined I’d have the chance to actively contribute to such a transformative era, and this opportunity feels like a rare chance to be part of history. I’m eager to make a meaningful, even if modest, contribution to this incredible journey.”

Final Reflections: Resilience, Self-Trust, and the Power of Support

"My journey began nearly a decade ago with a dream that felt both ambitious and improbable. Looking back, I’m often struck by how far I’ve come and deeply grateful for the opportunity to pursue my goals so freely—embracing both the exhilaration and the uncertainty that comes with it. I’ve come to believe that life is best lived ‘off-road,’ where the greatest meaning and happiness often arise from the journey itself, not the destination. I hope more people are inspired to do the same: to take calculated risks and explore the endless possibilities life has to offer."
Santi shared that his MBA journey taught him resilience, self-confidence, and a deep gratitude for the people in his life. Reflecting on advice from a trusted friend and mentor, he recalled these wise words: "You thrive most when you're surrounded by supportive people." Over the years, Santi has repeatedly seen the truth in this insight.

Ready to Start Your Own Success Story?

Are you ready to embark on your own MBA journey? Whether your path leads you to AI, consulting, or another industry, Merchant GMAT & Admissions is here to support you every step of the way.

Your success story starts here! Book a free strategy session today and let's discuss how we can help you achieve your MBA dreams and beyond. The future you've always wanted is just a click away!