MSc in Business Research alumnus César Fernández combines his job as associate director and coaching practice leader at the consulting firm Talengo with the academic work at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the School of Continuing Education (IL3-UB). César graduated in MSc in Business Research last academic year. Before, he had studied a bachelor in Psychology at the University of Barcelona and an MBA at the ESADE Business School.

When you applied for the MSc in Business Research at the UB Business School you already had a wide professional experience and were involved academically in a postgraduate programme at the IL3-UB. Why did you want to study this master’s?
I wanted to have the methodology to go more deeply into my professional practice and do the PhD. My main interest was to share my experience in the area of coaching evaluation and its impact on business results, topic in which I have worked for years at professional level.

For almost four years you have been associate director and coaching practice leader at the consulting firm Talengo. Has the MSc in Business Researched changed the way in which you approach your work?
Yes, as I have broaden my knowledge and perspective. I have also learnt new methodologies and specific software. As all this applies to my work, I have gained depth, rigour and the chance to show my results in a clearer and stronger way.

You have also worked as a lecturer at the Autonomous University of Barcelona for almost one year and as an academic assistant at the School of Continuing Education (IL3-UB) for over four years. What do you prefer: the professional activity or the teaching?
As a matter of fact, I prefer the combination of both. My professional experience allows me to share real case studies. The MSc in Business Research gave me new knowledge, as well as new research methodologies and article writing skills. The translations of all these into teaching means enriched classes, which students very much appreciate.

Most of your professional and academic career has been linked to coaching. When did you decide to specialise in this discipline and why?
I specialised in coaching when I started working at Norman Broadbent 14 years ago. I thought that this methodology was extremely powerful and enriching, not only for those who experience it as clients but also for the professionals that practise it. It is something that really allows to unlock the potential of the people and which never ceases to amaze me and bring new nuances.

First, you studied a bachelor degree in Psychology, but then you decided to enrol in an MBA. Did you always have an interest in Business or did it come later on?
I always had doubts and could not decide between Business and Education. In fact, my specialisation in Psychology was Education, but then I started a traineeship in a company, I liked it and I decided to keep on. Then I did the MBA in order to increase knowledge and perspective and to deepen in the business management techniques. Years after, I had the chance to combine my two main areas of interest.

After the MSc in Business Research, have you considered doing a PhD in Business or continue your research under another formula?
In fact, I am doing the PhD in Business and is progressing well, thanks to everything that I have learnt in the master’s and the excellent guidance from my tutors. It’s very satisfactory to realise that one can contribute from the professional activity with something valuable and with academic rigour so that other people may perhaps use it in the future.

Would you recommend the MSc in Business Research to your colleagues and friends?
It is clearly an excellent choice for those who want to do a PhD or simply want to deepen their research methodologies. In my case, it has meant a source for a very stimulating renovation, both for the novelty and the challenge, as it is a very solid and demanding programme.