Ana Garcia Barrera changed industry and location after an MBA at EMLYON Business School
Ana Garcia Barrera always wanted to pursue an MBA internationally. For her, living abroad and learning from day-to-day experiences is one of the best ways to learn about a new culture.She also realized that she needed some fine tuning of her business skills and saw an MBA at EMLYON Business School, with a specialization in luxury management, as the perfect tool to equip her for further career development.
Having worked for a luxury real estate development company in Mexico before her MBA, she’s now changed career tracks to the solar energy industry in South Africa. For her, the MBA is a great enabler for individuals to evaluate and change their current path, whether it’s location, industry or job role.
How has your MBA helped you change industry?
The MBA taught me how to approach a new job. It taught me to do my research, engage, ask questions, breakdown the different components of the company and understand the industry.
It taught me how to manage people, how to work with international teams and cross-cultural teams, dealing with a new managers and management structures.
And it showed me how to provide innovation to the team efficiently and effectively. You come fresh with new ideas and models of the modern work place, but to implement this innovation you need all the communication tools and negotiation skills to motivate change.
Both of the companies I have worked for are developers, so in a way the job structure is the same I just develop different things (real estate vs solar power).
Has your MBA prepared you for a global career, shifting to South Africa from Mexico?
I moved from working in Monterrey, Mexico to an MBA in France and then after that to Cape Town, South Africa. I have found that the world is very international and globalized. At the end of the day, revenue, sales and profit are the same language everywhere, but what my MBA has helped me with was how to engage with intercultural relationships.
The human aspect is one of the most difficult ones. How to engage and motivate people with a different background, religion and home country is monumental. The human aspect is what makes a company grow and move forward, and it something that you never stop learning from and never has just one answer.
Why did you choose EMLYON for your MBA?
I chose EMLYON as it offered an MBA with a specialization in Luxury Management. This gateway provided insights to many of the world leaders in luxury, from supply management to branding.
Many of the insights were provided by specialists in the industry, from Hermes to LVMH to market leaders from France and India. France is the capital of luxury and interestingly enough a lot of the manufacturing is done in Lyon. Lyon is also a wonderful place to live.
What advice do you have for MBA students considering switching careers?
There are three changes you can make after your MBA: industry, location or role. But I’d say focus on one. If you are willing to change two or three, you must understand that it will entail a bigger sacrifice and effort. For example, looking for a job in a different country with the same position and industry will be easier than trying to look for a job in a different country sector and role.
The MBA gives you the experience and networking skills to design the career path you want. You need to approach job searching as a project and be true to yourself on what you are willing to change in order to achieve your goal whether it’s industry, location or role.
Student Reviews
Intense courses, helpful professors
I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA.
The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.
Leadership in an amazing city
I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends
A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.
You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.
MSc in Digital Marketing
Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.
Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs
EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.
Emlyon campus in Paris
It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.
Entrepreneurship
Overall good content and good activities.
Lack of administration but still ok.
Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.
Good Reputation and International Business School
The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark.
The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments.
The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources.
Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.
MSc International Hospitality Management
The best educational experience of my life so far!
It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.
Real networking opportunities
- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school.
- going abroad to study luxury
- being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM)
- having such a great professional core
white baccalaureate in the world of work
I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.
Great
Pretty great !
Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.
