Studying an MBA with a global edge with give you an advantage in the MBA jobs market. Employers value graduates with international exposure.
When Leonardo Banegas worked for Citibank in Central America, most of his colleagues had MBA degrees from overseas business schools. To move up the careers ladder, he felt he needed to explore new cultures in other emerging markets.So, Leonardo studied a Master’s degree in Taiwan and later an MBA at France-based ESSEC Business School. “I had the opportunity to study in Paris and Singapore, “said Leonardo, who graduated from ESSEC’s Global MBA program last year. “This is the most valuable thing – the opportunity to be with different kinds of cultures, and understand the difference between economies, to perform business in those regions.”
Global MBA students spend six weeks at the school’s Singapore campus, take a week-long field trip to an emerging market, and spend another 4-5 weeks on a consulting project in another emerging country.
“I felt I needed this academic requirement to be able to have exposure to higher positions within the organization,” said Leonardo, who now works at big-four accountant KPMG in Singapore.
He added: “One of the key drivers that helped me to land the job was my international exposure; studying in France and Singapore, as well as the accreditation the MBA gives my CV.”
An MBA with a global edge offers employers something extra, and can help you stand out from the crowd. Leonardo is one of a legion of MBA students who are studying abroad to give their careers a kick.
The majority of MBA students apply for courses outside of their home countries – with America, France, Spain and Canada the most popular options, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council.
The Asia Pacific region is the most popular destination, with 29% of European employers expecting to place MBA graduates there, while 17% anticipate placements in the Middle East or Africa and 15% in Latin America.
ESSEC’s Global MBA is based in France, but 80% of the students are international, said Claire Gaudissart, the program’s career development manager.
“Companies with international interests and development plans will particularly value MBAs with international experience and training, so they offer particularly good employment opportunities to MBAs with global ambitions,” she added.
However, the country students chose to study in plays a big role in determining their career path. Clare said: “[They should] consider the country or region where they want to work, potential obstacles like language or visas, whether their intended career responds to the needs of companies located there, and the strength of their school’s reputation and alumni network in the area.”
Lesley Green chose ESSEC over United States-based schools to develop an international career. “Working in Chicago, I knew in order to change scenery and get out of where I was stuck in my career I’d have to do something drastic,” she said.
Lesley had been working as a sales and marketing coordinator for a US energy company but wanted to develop an international career elsewhere. After graduating in 2012 she landed a job at Hybris Software in Munich, Germany.
Lesley thinks an MBA degree is beneficial for making a geographical career change. “It says to people that you’re willing to try new experiences, branch out, work with new cultures, and see and do things things you’ve never done before,” she said.
She added: “The world today is so small and there are so many opportunities for growth and job changes, you really have to be on your toes.”
One of the biggest benefits of ESSEC’s program is the consulting project which MBAs must complete outside of France. “The project in south Africa is what made the MBA stand apart from all the others I looked at,” said Lesley, who consulted Backsberg Estate Cellars, a top-ten wine producer in Cape Town. “It offered hands-on experience.”
Matthias de Larminat enrolled on ESSEC’s Global MBA after a lengthy career with the French military. He planned to take up an officer's position but after graduating last year he began a career with CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping group, in Gabon, Central Africa.
He completed his consulting project in Djibouti, on the border of Ethiopia, with financial firm FDED – Economic Development Fund of Djibouti. “You feel you’re not a part of France, you’re in the world. The MBA is giving you the tools to have a global picture and think globally,” said Matthias, who previously worked as head of real estate finance for the French Department of Defense.
He was determined to make an international and vocational career change. He said an MBA gave him the self-confidence to make the switch – “especially if you want to switch from a very specific background”.
He added: “People need a warranty to say: he’s reliable. I really believe my MBA has given me this tool.”
But business schools have a wide variety of students – even those that don’t offer trips to other countries. “During that year you spend a lot of time... meeting different kinds of people,” said Leonardo. “In my case I think this networking experience helped me to land the job.”
Career development manager Claire thinks that you should chose a business school based on these factors: “An MBA can be an excellent tool to open doors, build a network, and gain exposure to a new business environment that will help [you] launch an international career.”
Whichever country or business school you study in, you need to utilize its strengths. “You need to utilize what your advantage is, and without experiencing new things and being open to trying a new project [you won’t],” said Lesley.
“When I look at my resume now I see I’ve studied in three different continents and worked in another three. It’s a really great thing to have,” she added.
Student Reviews
The best intercultural university
There are more than 50 nationality in the grade, so there are opportunities to interact with people from all around the world. In terms of academics, the BBA course offers diverse courses for the 1st
Creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurship
The Master in Management program at the ESSEC Business School allows the students to choose their courses accordingly to their preferences and their professional targets. We can also go through international exchange and take part in internships with companies that are also partners with the school. The school is also next to the city of Paris.
Top business school in France
Doing PhD in essec took some time, to be precise about five years. But the experience was very good and cost effective too. There are opportunities for the student for teaching assistantship and that helps both financially and in career. In the final year I could manage to teach marketing to M1 students and this helped shape my career
Great college
The program is well suited for early professionals with an engineering degree preferably or a degree in economics. I would suggest taking the ceasure irrespective of the experience level as it helps you take your time to adjust to the job market.
Good school in France
I am currently enrolled in M2 in Essec business school. I am specialising in marketing management. The Grande Ecole programme is valued in France and my school ranks very high up. There are a lot of opportunities for internships and CDD.
The program curriculum
BBA program. The program is really practical and useful, provide us many international opportunities. Like internship and humanitarian experience, and the flexibility is also really cool, we can choose different campus and tracks as we want.
International Course
This school is very international and business oriented. Highly recognized by the companies The campus has been renovated and is very functional and modern from now on. Excellent atmosphere. Reputation of essec is a plus
Friends, Career opportunities.
The program I did gave me the opportunity to start in Singapore. I got the chance to know all the students that started there and we bonded and made some friends for life. The career opportunities that ESSEC also gave me were unbelievable.
Practical and useful
I think the best thing about Essec is that it's not focusing on academics rather it emphasizes on future job mindset and professional experiences..
The classes are interesting and we have plenty of workshops attributing to different sectors..
The campus is very nice with a good cafe and wonderful library.
The only problem is the location of the campus. It's quite far from Paris.
Amazing experience! Must try
I think its a very amazing school with great and experienced faculty. Also the alumni network is very solid and useful. The school has a great balance of studies and work experience which is really essential for a student.
GBBA: Diverse, Enriching, and Career-Boosting
My experience at ESSEC Business School has been outstanding. The Global BBA program offers a rich academic curriculum and diverse learning opportunities. I appreciated the chance to study on different campuses, including an international exchange, which broadened my perspective. The social environment is culturally diverse and vibrant, enhancing both my personal and professional growth. The administration is attentive, constantly offering new academic and student life opportunities. The campus facilities and classrooms are excellent. I highly recommend ESSEC for its excellence, global exposure, and career opportunities.
ESSEC BS BBA REVIEW
The English track BBA program at ESSEC is simply exceptional. Courses are taught by internationally renowned professors who are experts in their field. The subjects taught cover a wide range of disciplines from marketing to finance, strategy and entrepreneurship. The English track is a major asset because it allows you to develop perfect mastery of professional English, essential in today's globalized business world. Some students love student life at Essec, which is one of the best in France, but it all depends on taste.
Great program, incredible school
I love almost everything about this school, from the student life to the academic program and the opportunities it provides.
I'm currently at the Paris campus, in Cergy, and I'm really enjoying it.
The BBA program is very rich and diversified, you can start with geopolitics and then finance, what I mean is that there's a great balance between the subjects in this program.
I was also lucky enough to spend a semester at the Singapore campus, and I loved that experience on the other side of the world.
ESSEC is also known for its dynamic and rich student life, with access to several parties a week and the various associations within the school.
If I could recommend just one school, it would be this one - I'm 100% satisfied.
Great experience
First of all, what I appreciate the most is the academic environment. The courses are extremely stimulating and are taught by high-level professors, often experts in their field. The diversity of subjects offered, ranging from marketing to finance, including entrepreneurship, allows you to acquire a complete and versatile education. The group projects, although sometimes stressful, are also an opportunity to learn to work in a team, which is essential in the professional world. One area that I feel could be improved is the management of student events. Although many activities are organized, I have noticed that some events can lack organization or communication, which can frustrate those who want to get involved. Better coordination between the different student associations and the administration could really improve the overall experience.
