MBA grads are increasingly interested in sustainable business careers in social impact—find out how these HEC Paris MBA grads found fulfilling jobs as social impact venture capitalists
When you think of a typical MBA grad, you tend to think of those working in consulting, finance, or tech. Yet careers in sustainability and social impact are becoming more and more popular as grads look to purposeful roles.
Social impact investment involves planning and innovating ways to use public and private capital to fund projects that address socio-economic problems. The exact type of projects that venture capitalists (VCs) work on will vary depending on the type of firm.
Unsurprisingly, it’s an attractive career route for ambitious business school grads who want to use their new-found business skills to enact change in the world.
Here’s how two MBA grads from HEC Paris have used their degree to launch careers in the VC social impact space.
From corporate finance to specializing in social impact
Prior to her MBA, Anna Finizio (pictured) worked in corporate finance. While her career was going well, she felt that something was missing.
“I wasn’t experiencing the right energy that I wanted from a job,” she says, “I quickly realized that I wanted to do something that was aligned with my passion for sustainability”.
This is when she started looking for an MBA. The 16-month HEC Paris MBA program stood out to Anna as it offers a track in Sustainable and Disruptive Innovation.
“I also knew I didn’t want to just be immersed with those from traditional business backgrounds,” she says.
On average, 60 different nationalities make up the HEC Paris MBA program and 93% of students are international.
Having studied an undergraduate degree in business and economics, Anna was excited to learn more about how business blends with sustainability.
The sustainability specialization allowed her to tailor her MBA course to her interests. She was involved in leading the Impact Club, which involved organizing events and connecting with industry speakers.
“It was a great way to test my leadership skills and then learn from all these things and build a network.”
She also took part in an MBA summer internship in Cape Town, South Africa, at an impact investment consultancy, building her skills and knowledge about the sector.
This is when she became more certain about her career ambitions to forge a career in this growing area.
After graduating, she landed a role at the European Investment Fund (EIF) where she currently works as an investor focused on impact venture capital (VC) funds in Europe. Impact VCs are funds aiming to generate positive impact alongside financial returns, focusing on issues like social inequality, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion.
These projects revolve around impact issues such as climate tech, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Impact investment will become more mainstream as society becomes more aware that we cannot continue to do business as we did in the past,” she says.
She adds that without the platform she gained in the HEC Paris MBA, she wouldn’t have been able to make this career shift.
“You start from a blank page with an MBA, with 16 months to reflect on your career and how you want to move forward,” she says.
Using investment banking expertise to lead social impact in Europe
Mexican-born Alejandro Ibarra (pictured) has had quite the career path. He opened a hostel chain in Mexico, he’s volunteered with NGOs, and he used to work in investment banking.
“I wanted to use the power of business and finance to target something more beneficial to all members of society,” he says.
To learn more about how to integrate finance, operations, and business with sustainability and innovation, so that he could build a career in impact investing, he started looking into MBA programs.
“My goal was to build a career in Europe and HEC Paris was a top-rated program that has expertise in sustainability,” he says.
HEC Paris aligns its teaching with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and formally reports on its sustainable development and social responsibility initiatives.
“What attracted me most to this point were the different programs and curricula targeting social innovation.”
During the MBA, Alejandro was eager to create a business school network, so he joined MBA competitions in impact investing. He made many connections, including MBA peer Anna Finizio, who also wanted to work in the same sector.
During the sustainability track in the HEC Paris MBA program, Alejandro learned about topics such as sustainable finance, impact innovation, social and environmental challenges, helping to inform his understanding of the sector.
With this new-found knowledge and network, Alejandro finished the MBA more prepared than ever to achieve his goals.
Through networking efforts during the MBA and knowing impact funds all over Europe, he says that he was fortunate to get an offer from a social impact venture capital fund in Milan called Opes Italia that aligned with his interests.
As impact investment associate, he helps fund early-stage companies that are working to solve a specific social issue. This involves seeking out potential opportunities, analyzing if these are the right fit, and assessing the financial and strategic direction for the projects.
For example, Alejandro has worked with an edtech platform working to reduce high youth unemployment rates in Italy.
“The main thing I enjoy about my role is being able to bring discussions at board level that wouldn’t usually be happening in traditional investment roles,” he concludes.
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.
