Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

Here’s How I Made The Career Triple Jump With An MBA At EMLYON

Natalja Avramenko changed country, role and industry after business school

Wed Sep 21 2016

BusinessBecause
Natalja Avramenko once worked behind the scenes. Now, she’s center stage.

For five years at big beer giant Heineken, she worked in finance roles in the Netherlands, Russia, Austria and Spain. But she was stuck behind a screen, analyzing sales figures on Excel spreadsheets.

Now, at Lyon-based Euronews, she’s rarely at her desk. Instead, she spends her days in meeting rooms, strategizing and coordinating initiatives to keep the multilingual news media firm at the cutting-edge of a rapidly changing industry.

Natalja joined EMLYON Business School’s triple-accredited MBA program as a career switcher last year. She started her hands-on project management role in August, making the career triple jump – changing country, role and industry – after her MBA. Here’s how:

How did your post-MBA job at Euronews come about?

I came across the opportunity through my school career platform. And, during my MBA, I met an EMLYON alumnus who was working for the company.

We also did a business case study for Euronews in our digital marketing class. We presented our solutions to a Euronews representative and it was he who supported me during the recruitment process.

How else were you supported by the career service at EMLYON? 

The career services did all they could to help us achieve our professional goals. Throughout the year we were taken on a career discovery journey. We had practical workshops on building resumes and motivation letters, networking, and storytelling.

We also had a chance to meet alumni and representatives of different companies. Having this network that you can reach out to any day is a powerful thing.

What stands out the most from your MBA experience at EMLYON?

EMLYON was a truly multicultural environment, and the level of collaboration with people from different professional and personal backgrounds is unique.

During the MBA, I discovered my entrepreneurial potential. In the “New Venture” course, we built a feasibility study for our business ideas, and it was the first time I saw clear steps on how to evolve my ideas into feasible concepts.

I really took the time to learn French. Now, half of my working time is spent in business meetings held in French. And I also managed to find more time for my favorite sport; running. I did a running challenge with my fellow MBAs, competing for the first person to run 100 kilometers in a month!

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at EMLYON?

I wanted a change in my career. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be on a finance path forever, so I decided to try something else before it was too late.

The name of your school can open doors to the corporate world in France and, as I aimed to stay in Lyon after my MBA, going to EMLYON was a strategic choice. EMLYON also gives you really good value for money. Other schools' tuitions were almost double of EMLYON and were based in more expensive locations.

What makes Lyon an attractive destination for MBAs?

From the beautiful old town with narrow cobblestone streets to local specialty restaurants on the banks of the Saône and the Rhone, for me, Lyon was love at first sight.

It’s at the very heart of France, close to Paris, Geneva and even London or Barcelona by plane. There’s big pharma and video-gaming companies here, and the city is also very entrepreneur-friendly. Living costs are relatively low giving entrepreneurs the space to experiment and grow.

What should applicants think about when deciding to do an MBA?

It’s important to have your priorities straight and to be very clear on your objectives. Do you want a career, location, industry change?

And be realistic. Business school doesn’t give you a magic wand to make all your wishes come true. An MBA is a hard work and what you get out of it is the result of your own efforts.

One thing’s for sure; the MBA will be one of the best years of your life. The people you meet will become part of your story and you’ll become part of theirs, both personally and professionally. That’s what makes the MBA different to all the other academic programs, and absolutely worth doing.

Student Reviews

emlyon business school

Student

Verified

4/12/2023

On Campus

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.

Student

Verified

18/03/2023

On Campus

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

Student

Verified

23/11/2021

On Campus

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.

Fabian

Verified

7/06/2020

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.

Student

Verified

14/10/2018

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.

Student

Verified

9/06/2020

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.

Student

Verified

21/11/2022

On Campus

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.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

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.

Edel

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

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.

Student

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

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

Daphné

Verified

14/07/2024

On Campus

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.

Student

Verified

11/09/2024

On Campus

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.

RECAPTHA :

74

ac

ab

40