David Manu
Originally from Romania, David Manu spent the first 18 years of his life in a small town before moving abroad to pursue higher education. He later completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam, including an exchange at the National University of Singapore.
With internships across finance and consulting, David developed a clear career direction early on. To accelerate his path into strategy consulting, he chose IENYCs Master in Management, a program designed to combine academic rigor with direct exposure to one of the world’s most competitive job markets.
“New York offered the most attractive opportunities for my future.”
Why study a Master in Management in New York?
For David, location was a strategic decision.
While considering global cities such as London and Singapore, New York stood out for its breadth of career opportunities, competitive environment and long-term growth potential.
At the same time, his prior exposure to IE students during his exchange experience reinforced his decision.
“I found IE students to be among the most competitive and driven. That gave me a very strong impression of the IE community.”
The combination of IE University’s global network and New York’s dynamic business ecosystem made the program a natural next step.
Building a consulting career through IE New York Center
Studying at IE New York Center (INYC) has allowed David to actively prepare for a career in consulting.
The program emphasizes hands-on career development, encouraging students to engage directly with the market through networking, company visits and one-on-one conversations with industry professionals.
“You need to be intentional about building relationships. That’s how you approach opportunities in New York.”
This approach, combined with IE’s career resources and personalized support, has helped David navigate the competitive consulting recruitment process with confidence.
A practical learning experience with real-world impact
A defining moment in David’s academic journey was a project in the Navigating Global Change course.
Working in a team, he developed an AI-powered investment decision-making application, building both the database and front-end from scratch. The project was designed to meet institutional standards, reflecting real-world expectations from employers.
“Seeing the application actually work and provide value for decision-making was incredibly rewarding.”
This type of experiential learning highlights how the Master in Management program integrates technology, business and innovation.
How AI is shaping the Master in Management experience
Artificial intelligence is embedded throughout the program, both as a subject of study and as a practical tool.
Students are encouraged to leverage AI to improve workflows, enhance analysis and deliver higher-quality results. Courses also explore the technical foundations of AI, including neural networks, as well as its broader impact on industries and the global economy.
For David, these skills are essential for staying competitive in today’s job market.
Career opportunities after a Master in Management in the US
One of the key advantages of studying in New York is access to the US job market through OPT (Optional Practical Training).
For David, this represents a major opportunity to gain international work experience and accelerate his career progression in consulting.
Beyond career outcomes, the program also provides access to a global network of peers, professors and professionals.
“These are lifelong connections. Being part of the IE community has been a very meaningful experience.”