Motivational letter in powerpoint format, which is part of the "Express Yourself" task from the Application to IE University Master in Strategic Marketing and Communication.

1. Dear IE Admissions Team,
I am Beatriz, a 21-year-old Portuguese in her last
semester of BSc in Management at Nova School of Business
& Economics, and as an extremely ambitious person, I
consider IE University my next goal, and therefore would
like to express my interest in the Masters in Strategic
Marketing and Communication.
For all the reasons provided further on, which
undoubtedly match my interests, I have long recognized
IE as the ideal institution for my studies, considering
it a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Furthermore, I truly believe I have the motivation
required for this master’s program due to my dynamic and
curiosity-driven personality which got me involved in a
series of diverse activities, which, aligned with my
academic background have developed in me a set of skills
that would make me a suitable candidate for IE
University and the Masters in Strategic Marketing &
Communication.
Thank you for your time and for considering my
application.
Respectfully yours,
We will be playing
the game: “LifeQuest:
Unveiling Uniqueness”
very soon!
INSTRUCTIONS

2. Life
Quest: Unveiling Uniqueness
TIME TO PLAY:

3. LEVEL 1
Went to international
school
My sister was born Debates
Solidarity Fashion Shows
I was born
Joined the School
Basketball Team
Volunteered for Food Bank
Against Hunger
Won school’s GOT TALENT Graduated to Upper School Joined SCBraga as a
Basketball Athlete
SET.2007

4. Science Fair Winner with
Banana Plastic Project
Musicals in Theatro
Circo
Elected as School’s
Prefect
Participant of British
English Olympics
Competition
Solidarity bake sales
Basketball summer camps Volunteered for Habitat
for Humanity
Played for Braga
district selection in
Albufeira
Solidarity Christmas
Fair
2nd place National in
Junior Achievement
Portugal

5. LEVEL 2
UNLOCKED
Elected as Head Student Solidarity Business Fair Moved to Lisbon to study
at NOVA SBE University
Commencement
Teacher Volunteer in
Mission Cambodia
Volunteer and summer
worker for Associação
Salvador
Summer Intern at Lentes
de Contacto 365
Moved to Prague for my
erasmus semester
Joined NOMA Marketing
Consulting
Joined NOVA Startup Club
JUL.2020

6. LEVEL 3
3rd Worldwide (QS 2024 Ranking).
Active class participation encouraged
by the excellent faculty.
Positive feedback from
friends studying at IE.
40 nationalities from diverse
academic backgrounds in MARCOM.
Career Booster to enhance knowledge in the
industry I enjoy the most: Consumer Goods.
Network and learn from the
70 000 worldwide alumni.
Madrid is an international business
hub full of opportunities.
140 student clubs provide
holistic and hands-on learning.
WHY PLAY LEVEL 3?
PAUSE GAME
Promoted to the Board as
Head of Brand & Content
at NOMA
Awarded “Active
Citizenship Award”
Join Danone for a 6 month
Marketing internship
Graduate NOVA School of
Business & Economics
Marketing Summer Intern
at AIREV
JAN.2024
DEC.2023
Join IE’s Msc in Strategic
Marketing & Communication
IN SEP.2024 UNLOCK

7. UNVEILING THE MARKETING ODYSSEY
INFORMATION
Had never considered
Marketing an option,
because I mistakenly
thought it was the
same as promotion.
Had 1st Marketing course where we had
to run a virtual company, making
weekly strategic decisions that I
considered enjoyable, not an
obligation.
For the first time, I considered
Marketing as a career possibility.
To further explore this possibility, for
Erasmus, I strategically chose marketing
courses, all of which I absolutely adored.
I found myself growing more attached to
the idea that this was the direction I
wanted to follow.
After coming back from erasmus I applied
and secured a place in NOMA Marketing
Consulting where nowadays I am Head of
Brand & Content and also a Summer Marketing
Internship at an NGO.
These reinforced my fascination and natural
proficiency in Marketing, leaving no doubts
that this was the way to go.
To equip me with even more
refined skills to excel in the
goals I have set for myself.
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

8. Trustworthy
Hardworking
Empathetic
Helpful
Organized
Proactive
Caring
Motivated
Gentle
Creative
Competent
Authentic
Leader
Sociable
Dedicated
Thoughtful
Teamplayer
Supportive
Happy
Funny
Genuine
Easygoing
Responsible
Determined
Committed
Ambitious
Curious
WHO BETTER THAN MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO
HELP ME PIECE TOGETHER WHAT MAKES ME, ME?
I asked them to describe me in one word, here are the
most commonly said ones.
MY OPPORTUNITIES HAVE SHAPED ME INDEED, BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE, I AM THE PERSON
I AM TODAY THANKS TO THE AMAZING PEOPLE THAT HAVE SURROUNDED ME MY WHOLE LIFE.
GAME RESULTS

9. 2020 - GAME DRAWBACKS
2020, my final school year brought unprecedented challenges. The abrupt shift to online learning was just the
beginning. The pandemic took a personal toll with the loss of my grandfather and aunt, made even more painful
by the inability to give them a proper goodbye due to covid restrictions.
It was time to apply to university, however, administrative errors wrongly converted my international GPA to the
portuguese system, delaying my entrance to NOVA SBE. Relocating to a new city for mostly online classes, with a
three-week delay, presented additional difficulties. The first semester, taught entirely in Portuguese due to the
delayed entrance, was a hard departure from my accustomed learning environment. Profound disparities in
mathematics foundations between the Portuguese and international systems posed a considerable challenge,
particularly in calculus courses.
Personal struggles compounded the academic difficulties. For the initial month and a half, I couldn't return home
as my father seriously contracted COVID-19. The situation was exacerbated by moving restrictions and canceled
public transportation, leaving me isolated in Lisbon while my family dealt with the health crisis. The tumultuous
year tested my resilience in both personal and academic spheres.
Thankfully, the pandemic came under control, my father's health improved, and navigating NOVA SBE became
less challenging. I regained my confidence and happiness and embraced a stronger sense of self.
Looking back today, I reflect on those tough times with a feeling of increased resilience, rather than resentment.
“It is in our darkest moments that we discover our inner strength and resilience”.
THE LEVELS UNLOCKED THESE PAST 21 YEARS PRESENTED A MULTITUDE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS, BUT
ALSO SOME MOMENTS OF TRUE CHALLENGE AND GRIEF, WHICH ALSO BECOME LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

10. Dear Beatriz,
Looking at your journey, one might be quick to assume that during all these years
confidence and extroversion were your constant companions. However, the truth is
far from that.
You’ve always been a master in the art of disguising insecurities behind diverse
activities, while constantly avoiding the spotlight. But, as years went by, a
transformation quietly unfolded.
It was a journey of self-discovery, were you realized confidence isn’t a
prerequisite for stepping into the unknown but rather a product of embracing it.
And where you transformed your fear of the unknown into motivation.
Today, you can affirm you no longer are a “people pleaser” or the person who
remains silent just nodding and agreeing with what everyone says.
Quite the opposite. Today, you’re fully confident of who you are and of the value
of your insights. This change happened due to all the micro-decisions you took
when time and time again you signed up for all kinds of challenges, no matter how
uncomfortable they made you feel.
Future Beatriz, hopefully, you will very soon be embarking in a one in a lifetime
experience at IE and no matter how challenging it gets, never forget:
"Your comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.
Embrace the unknown, that's where true growth and extraordinary
experiences unfold."
May you always use your knowledge to make positive impact in the world, as Uncle
Ben once again “With great power comes great responsibility”.
I am truly proud of you,
EXIT GAME