<p><span class="p-body">For professionals looking for a competitive edge in a variety of industries, the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-project-management.html" title="Master of Science in Project Management">MS in Project Management</a> program at NYU delivers. Gabriela Llerena is a graduate whose ambition, resilience, and desire for growth made her time in the program especially fulfilling. We recently caught up with her to see what she is up to now, and how NYU impacted her professional path.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Born and raised in a small city in southern Peru, Llerena spent much of her childhood swimming competitively. &quot;From 7 to 17, I made swimming my hobby, representing the Peruvian team in South American championships and winning the gold medal in the 400m freestyle,&quot; she shares. At 17, she moved to the capital, Lima, to pursue her undergraduate degree at Universidad del Pacífico. This transition began her professional career, starting with an internship in marketing at the age of 20.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">With over ten years of experience at companies like Nestlé, Scotiabank, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC, Llerena found herself at a professional crossroads when she was 35. &quot;I found myself achieving a peak in my professional growth and spending my days in a status quo mode,&quot; she explains. Feeling the need for a new challenge, she turned her eyes to New York City and NYU SPS.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Returning to student life after a six-year break was initially jarring, but Llerena found that NYU SPS provided the push she needed to thrive. &quot;NYU pushes students to live at a fast pace and helped me get used to the city as well,&quot; she says. She credits her time at NYU with giving her opportunities to explore different parts of New York through classes held in Midtown, West Village, and the Financial District. These experiences helped her connect not just with the city, but with other students from across various programs.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Being actively involved in extracurricular activities was key to Llerena's growth. As a member of the <a href="https://engage.nyu.edu/organization/sps-project-management-student-network" title="Project Management Student Organizations" target="_blank">Project Management Student Network</a>, she found an additional layer of preparation for her post-graduate life. &quot;The extracurricular activities that the university offers are key for personal growth,&quot; she notes.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">During her time at NYU, Llerena took several hands-on courses, including the Real World course where she created a marketing strategy for Porsche and the capstone project. She also made the most of NYU's diverse offerings by taking courses outside her program at Stern and Tandon. &quot;It's the best way to take advantage of the big NYU community,&quot; she advises.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Llerena's dedication and hard work at NYU SPS opened doors for her in unexpected ways. &quot;After my first year of studies, I was selected to do an internship in product management at Audible, an Amazon company,&quot; she recalls. Despite her extensive background, this internship presented unique challenges. &quot;It was one of the hardest three months in my life… being an intern for the first time in an American company, in tech, and in product management—everything was so new to me!&quot; However, her courses and the support from NYU gave her the confidence to push through.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">After five months, her efforts paid off when she was offered a full-time position as a product manager at Audible. Llerena describes the experience as both rewarding and challenging, stating, &quot;I've never grown so much and so fast and never felt so accomplished professionally and personally.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Llerena's achievements have extended beyond her personal career growth. She takes pride in initiatives like the Project Management Summer Internship Program with Goldman Sachs. &quot;With the support of the Project Management Student Network and the NYU Alumni community, we created an internship program where two students from the Master’s in IT Project Management were selected,&quot; she says.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Recently, she learned that both students received return offers as associates, which she views as an example of the importance of networking within the NYU community. &quot;I hope that now, as an alumna, I can give back to NYU and students of the Project Management [program].&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Currently, Llerena is focused on her role as a product manager, embracing the uncertainty and excitement of not knowing what comes next. &quot;I don't have a clue, and I love that,&quot; she admits, finding joy in the day-to-day experiences of her job and life in New York City. One milestone she hopes to achieve is becoming a mentor to other Latin women in STEM careers in the US and Peru. For her, this goal is about using her experiences to inspire and support others as they navigate their paths.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Llerena's advice for new NYU SPS students is to keep an open mind. &quot;Don't close your options or interests because you might be missing a path that is better for you,&quot; she suggests. Networking is another key piece of advice. &quot;Identify a community of people that have similar backgrounds and interests and commit to being part of that community,&quot; she says, emphasizing that the connections made during graduate school will last long beyond the classroom. Lastly, her message is clear: &quot;Fight, fight, fight for your dreams!&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Llerena continues to encourage those interested in project, program, and product management to obtain certifications like the CSPO (Scrum Product Owner) and to read insightful books such as Inspired by Marty Cagan. Her story can serve as an inspiration for those seeking to reinvent their careers and embrace new challenges.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Take the reins on leveling up your career when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-project-management.html" title="Master of Science in Project Management">MS in Project Management</a> at NYU SPS.</span></p>