Massimo Spagnuolo, associate recruitment director at HEC Paris, explains how a Master in Management can land you top jobs in a wide range of industries
While a Master in Management can bring you exciting new experiences, lifelong friends, and invaluable skills, many embark on their studies with the hopes of landing competitive roles at top companies.
According to a recent GMAC survey that included recruiters from Fortune 500 companies, Master in Management graduates were the most in-demand of all business school graduating applicants in 2023—with 27% of employers projecting an increase in the recruitment of MiM grads in 2024.
This is especially the case in areas like consulting and management. In leading firms such as L’Oreal, KPMG, and EY, many roles are now filled by MiM grads.
To find out more about how this generalist degree prepares students for top jobs, BusinessBecause spoke to Massimo Spagnuolo (pictured right), associate director of recruitment for pre-experience programs at Europe's number one business school, HEC Paris.
Here are three ways he feels a Master in Management helps students land high paying jobs.
1. Students are encouraged to develop their business instincts
Having a ton of real-world work experience isn’t a requirement for most Master in Management programs—including the two-year degree offered by HEC Paris, which is designed for students with less than three years’ experience. Instead, the key qualities that admissions boards search for are a combination of academic excellence, strong motivation, competitive management test scores, internships, extra-curricular involvement, and cross-cultural sensitivity.
“We're looking for students that are very ambitious, who are motivated,” Massimo Spagnuolo says.
Many Master in Management programs cover core subjects such as management, data science, company law, and organizational behavior, providing students with a solid grounding in key business concepts—regardless of past experience.
At HEC Paris, students are able to further specialize by picking electives in subject areas such as sustainability, culture and media, and entrepreneurship. In their second year, they can also choose specialist tracks like Strategic Management, International Finance, and Marketing, which enable them to develop key skills in the area of their choice.
The HEC Paris MiM is a demanding program that challenges students to push their limits. Massimo adds, “The entrepreneurial mindset is something that we cultivate a lot on campus.”
MiM students are encouraged to take part in HEC Paris’ entrepreneurship programs. In some cases, students can even receive one-on-one mentoring at Station F, the world’s largest and most renowned start-up campus, benefiting from unparalleled support from coaches, alumni, investors, and professors
While starting their own business isn’t on the cards for everyone, the independent and creative thinking developed through undertaking such projects is a valuable asset when attempting to impress top companies.
2. Students learn how to connect and collaborate
There’s a lot of truth to the saying: it’s not what you know but who you know.
In many cases, studying a Master in Management gives you access to a school’s societies, clubs, extracurriculars and networking events, all of which can set you up for future career opportunities.
For example, at HEC Paris, students can participate in over 130 different clubs and associations. These range from everything including tennis to arts to even an HEC fight club.
“One of the main things that we recommend to students is to make sure that they use all the resources that they have at hand and that includes networking with other students,” Massimo explains. “It all starts the first week on campus, when they meet other students and join associations.”
Joining an industry-focused club—such as HEC Paris’ consulting club—can be a particularly effective way to make valuable career connections, as they will often organize networking events such as industry speaker sessions and company visits.
“If they [students] can stay active in those associations, it makes it a lot easier for them to make friends and even potential future business partners,” explains Massimo.
The benefits extend even into life after leaving campus: graduates are able to join a school’s alumni network, which can broaden their career opportunities. For example, HEC Paris boasts an extensive 80,000 strong alumni network, situated across the globe and occupying positions in a wide range of industry-leading companies.
3. Students can access top career services
On top of the core skills that students develop during a MiM, they are also able to take advantage of internship programs and careers services, which greatly increase their chances of getting hired by top companies.
At HEC Paris, there are several programs in place to help students maximize their employability.
In their first year, MiM candidates can take part in a career skills passport program, which includes workshops on everything from job interviews to networking.
“This is designed to help students focus on the essentials, like rewriting an impactful resume or acing their interviews,” Massimo explains.
Beyond that, however, students are also able to avail themselves of one-to-one career coaching, which can be instrumental in helping them land internships and even jobs post-graduation.
The skillset that a Master in Management instills in students means they are particularly well-prepared to both land and excel across roles in consulting, management, and sales. Just some of the exciting positions HEC Paris MiM graduates have found themselves in include becoming a marketing manager for Facebook, consulting for BCG, and working as a strategy manager for Estee Lauder.
Pursuing a Master in Management is not only a personally enriching experience, it can also help land you top jobs across a wide range of industries.
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Student
Verified
7/07/2022
On Campus
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Student
Verified
1/06/2024
On Campus
Diverse
HEC, as an academic institution, serves as a launching pad for students to excel in their pursuits and careers. The diversity among students and professors is truly remarkable. The chance to attend seminars across five major continents is unparalleled. The exposure and relationships it fosters are invaluable.
Student
Verified
31/05/2024
On Campus
Super diverse
It's a super diverse and fascinating environment with tons of chances, but the management is very French, and the facilities like the gym and classrooms are not great. This makes the academic side quite ineffective. Plus, we're graded on a curve, leading to a competitive and sometimes toxic atmosphere. Despite all that, the benefits definitely overshadow the drawbacks.
John
Verified
10/06/2024
On Campus
Surreal academic experience
What stood out to me about HEC was the direction and insight it offered on coding approaches. Prior to joining the program, I attempted self-learning, but I felt disoriented and lacked a starting point.HEC enabled me to grasp the basics of programming and provided support when I encountered obstacles. Without that guidance, I doubt I would have achieved the progress I have made to date.
John
Verified
10/06/2024
On Campus
Good security
HEC boasts a dedicated team of security personnel who undergo rigorous training to ensure the perpetual maintenance of tranquility and orderliness within the institution. Their unwavering efforts are directed towards fostering a sense of security among the student body, thereby enabling them to channel their energies predominantly towards their academic pursuits.
Student
Verified
17/07/2024
On Campus
Innovative teaching method
I am thoroughly enjoying my time at HEC, from the innovative teaching methods to the welcoming campus environment, which is particularly supportive of international students. The extracurricular opportunities, such as sports and associations, are incredibly valuable. Additionally, the career services offered are exceptional. Overall, I find my experience at HEC to be truly enriching.
Student
Verified
3/10/2024
On Campus
mim
HEC Paris has been a transformative experience for me. The caliber of the faculty, the diversity of the student body, and the global network it offers are unmatched. The curriculum is highly flexible, allowing students to tailor their learning experience to their career goals, and the focus on real-world application through case studies and consulting projects provides invaluable hands-on experience. The campus itself is beautiful, and the opportunities to engage with leading companies through internships, competitions, and networking events have been incredible. HEC truly prepares you to be a leader in today's complex business world. I couldn’t have asked for a better program to propel my career forward.
Student
Verified
21/09/2024
On Campus
Unwavering enthusiasm
Here's the first paragraph:
I embarked on a journey to Paris, where HEC University welcomed me with open arms. As I stepped onto its prestigious campus, I was captivated by the infectious energy and innovative spirit that filled the air. The passionate faculty, industry experts, and fellow visionaries from around the globe shared their knowledge with unwavering enthusiasm."
Student
Verified
9/10/2024
On Campus
Exceptional Experience
HEC offers an exceptional experience that I highly recommend. The small-town setting allows for a unique blend of academic rigor and community engagement. The peaceful campus and close-knit student body create a warm environment. Proactive engagement with professors yields valuable guidance. Friendships may blossom slowly, but persistence pays off. The city's beauty, scenic views, and diverse eateries near campus enrich the experience. University dining may not impress, but it's decent.
