Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Hugo and I am French. After my high school diploma, I moved to Sweden and after that, I went to the US for my Master’s program before finally coming back to France to study at ESSEC. I have a lot of international experience working for Kozalys in Belgium, Forrester in Singapore and as a French tutor at DePaul University, Illinois.
What prompted you to apply for a Master in Strategy Management of International Business (MIM)?
After completing my Master of Science in Computer Systems, I interned with Internal Management Solutions Inc. based in Chicago. After some time, I realized that I wanted to have more challenges in the business sector and wanted to have a real management position in a company and not just work as an analyst, working for a consulting firm. I knew that with the type of degree that I had, I would spend a lot of time as an analyst and decided to go for a Masters in Strategy and Management of International Business to augment my studies. I chose ESSEC as it offers dual management business education. ESSEC has an outstanding academic body and offers the chance to take classes on two campuses, in France and Singapore. In year two of the course at ESSEC, they offer an apprenticeship program whereby you have four days of work and two days of classes helping the student gain professional experience along with studies.
What did you find the most difficult in the application process?
The GMAT was one of the most difficult aspects of the entire application process which was strange as all my education till then had been in English and I was pretty good at Math. However, as I had a full-time position and was commuting regularly between Belgium and France I could not devote enough time to study even when I had enrolled at the MBA Center. Still, it took me some time to get the 650 that I needed. I am very glad that I found the MBA Center which has given me a lot of support teaching me in the process and allowing me to get a top score.
What is life like at ESSEC?
In year one of the programs, I was a full-time student. The year was a very interesting one as I was able to build up a lot of network on campus. Year two was the apprenticeship period and I began working and studying at the same time. This year proved a bit hectic for me, however, I managed to learn a great deal during this year. I was able to build industry credit during this second year and this has helped me a lot in the longer run.
What would be your advice to someone applying for a MIM program?
When you read the Financial Times you have the 50 outstanding business schools in the world where you can get outstanding education. However, you need to find the right school among those. For me, the right school was one that would give me a French degree, time to get professional experience and a global reach. I found this unique combination at ESSEC. You need to also look for the school that you need. Find time for that. Do not apply to a school just for the name and ranking.
I would strongly advise that you do not wait too long before applying to the school you want to. I am a bad example as I waited till the last moment to apply to ESSEC. That is something I should have done right after my Bachelor’s. I probably wasted two precious years before applying for the Masters. So decide in the senior year of your Bachelor’s in the course of your life and career. Don’t wait to graduate to start your search for a school.
Finally, work with professionals in the field to make sure that you reach your goals. In that respect, the MBA Center was really helpful to me to help me reach my goals. I was in class with other students at the MBA Center and all of them went on to study in great schools and are doing well professionally.