Sofía Echezarra
My name is Sofía and I'm from Bilbao. I studied a dual degree in Business Administration and Law at the University of Deusto, and in September I moved to Madrid to study the Doble Máster en Abogacía y Asesoría Fiscal de Empresas (LL.M.) at IE University. I’m an active person, keen to learn and meet new people. That's why, while I was studying in Bilbao, I participated in the debate club, taught some classes and volunteered for a few weeks. I also really like to travel, both with family and friends. In my free time, I enjoy going to the movies, going to the beach or going out for a drink. My passion is teaching: when I have a few years of experience practicing law, I’d love to combine professional practice with teaching law at a university.
"My experience throughout the admission process was very positive, and I always had somebody to turn to with any questions."
From Bilbao to Madrid in pursuit of her dreams
Sofía discovered that law was her path in her third year as an undergraduate student, but she wasn't sure what branch she wanted to specialize in. Before making a decision, she completed internships in the Tax Law and Commercial Law departments of two law firms in Bilbao. In the end, she chose to focus on tax law and, after comparing the entire range of available options, she decided to study the Doble Máster en Abogacía y Asesoría Fiscal de Empresas (LL.M.), choosing IE University because she liked “the diversity, the closeness, the support from the start, the wide variety of subjects, the scholarships it offers and the profile of the faculty.”
As an active and curious person, Sofía participates in the year-round events and activities organized by the university. In her view, it’s the best way to get to know other students and get the most out of campus life.
Speaking about her experience as a student at IE University, Sofía highlights her classmates, who she describes as open-minded and highly capable. Some have studied law in other countries, something which she says has enriched her own personal and academic learning. In class, the professors encourage students to explain how legal issues are addressed in their own countries. This has allowed Sofía to discover other judicial systems and perspectives on the same questions.
She also underlines the quality and high level of the teaching team. In her own words, they are “very good professionals: they exude passion for law and its teaching in their classes, and they’re always on hand and willing to help us.” Thanks to the experience that the professors share in the classroom, she has been able to get to know the day-to-day realities of the profession firsthand. This has helped her make informed and intelligent career decisions. In the same way, she has also felt strongly supported by the program’s management team, who are also always available to offer help and guidance.
In her professional future, Sofía sees herself working in a law firm in Madrid. To achieve her aim, she’s counting on the support of IE Talent & Careers and their advisors, who have worked with her on her resume and prepared her for the recruitment process with one-to-one sessions. “Whatever your own objectives might be, the team at IE Talent & Careers will help you attain them. They have a wide and varied pool of positions available, and what’s more they organize events with different companies and law firms to put us in touch with them.”
For Sofía, the Doble Máster en Abogacía y Asesoría Fiscal de Empresas (LL.M.) is a program that demands a lot of time and dedication, so she advises anybody interested to start with an open mind, willing to get the maximum from their studies. She also advises them to get in touch with IE University to receive all the information they need. “My experience throughout the admission process was very positive, and I always had somebody to turn to with any questions.”
Sofía concludes by recommending that prospective students put themselves in contact with IE University graduates to hear about their experiences. She’s convinced that hearing from alumni firsthand will help anybody make up their own minds about their future.