Ainhoa Azua
My name is Ainhoa Azua and I'm from Bilbao. Before coming to IE Law School, I completed a degree in law with an economics specialization at the University of Deusto, in Bilbao. I consider myself a proactive, disciplined person who is close with my friends. My main professional aspiration is for my career to contribute to the development of a better, more equitable, fairer and freer society.
"Your peers practically become your family, your daily support."
Prepared for a career full of unforeseen events
When she finished her undergraduate degree and it was time to prepare for her law entrance exams, Bilbao-native Ainhoa Azua was certain that she wanted to study at IE Law School. The prestige of the school and its professors, whom she describes as “great sector leaders,” helped Ainhoa make her decision. The practical methodology, which simulates the daily life of the profession, was another decisive factor.
She chose to do the Doble Máster de Acceso a la Abogacía y Asesoría Fiscal de Empresas (LL.M.), a program that is not only providing her with the technical training necessary to work in corporate environments, but also advanced knowledge of business management and highly up-to-date digital skills. For now, she’s finding it very demanding: “It requires constant effort, there isn’t a day where you are not put to the test and pushed out of your comfort zone,” she explains.
And yet, the experience is paying off thanks to how her classes work. She especially values the case method, which consists of solving real cases as a team and then discussing the work with colleagues. “In this way, we get used to what our professional career will be. In addition, we develop social, managerial and organizational skills that will be essential to us in the future.”
Although Ainhoa was already aware that IE Law School professors worked this way, there were two things about the program that surprised her. On the one hand, how comprehensive the training is, which goes beyond legal and fiscal concepts and which, as she says, “allows us to achieve a full professional profile because it includes technological subjects, negotiation and countless workshops.” On the other hand, the importance given to networking from day one. Networking, in the words of Ainhoa, is “three-dimensional: with faculty experts working in the sector, IE University staff and all the students of the different master’s degrees at the university.”
The network of contacts that you build on campus will be very useful in your professional future. One of the main objectives is to gain insights into one of the major firms in the sector, and IE Talent & Careers is helping students achieve this. “They’re with you right from the start, and they help you create a more attractive resume. They offer us advice throughout the selection process, even after the internship is over,” she highlights.
In fact, Ainhoa has already had her first contact with the professional world. In September 2022, she began working at Cuatrecasas as a trainee financial and tax advisor, an experience that has helped her to discover how a leading law firm really works.
To anyone thinking of enrolling in the same dual master’s degree as her, Ainhoa would tell them “don’t hesitate another second.” She is clear about it: “doing this program was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” In addition, it seems very important to her to make the most of all the resources offered by IE University, as well as to establish close friendships with her peers.
For all these reasons, she considers the Doble Máster de Acceso a la Abogacía y Asesoría Fiscal de Empresas (LL.M.) “a full and very rewarding experience.” Ainhoa is making the most of learning to manage unforeseen events, since knowing how to do so is one of the keys to success. We can’t wait to see how far she can go.
Visit her LinkedIn Profile.