ESCP masters programmes are a gateway to a global career, combining academic rigour with practical experience across six European campuses. With curricula designed to be flexible and personalised, the programmes allow students to tailor their education to their career goals, whether through specialisations, international experiences, or professional internships. In this interview, Caroline Housel, an alumna of the Master in Management programme, shares how her time at ESCP prepared her for a successful career in the luxury industry.
Q: What attracted you to ESCP Business School’s Master in Management? How did it fit into your career aspirations?
Caroline Housel: Being from the US, I wasn’t very familiar with the European higher education system. Over the course of my undergraduate degree in Philadelphia, I studied abroad a few times and decided that I wanted to shift from communications to business and explore working in the beauty industry abroad. I discovered ESCP online, and it quickly made so much sense. Attending ESCP was a great way to live in Europe while refining my business skills and gaining experience in the beauty industry.
Q: How did you decide on and choose your specialisations? What value has the specialisation added to your career path?
Caroline Housel: I knew I wanted to be in marketing, so choosing specialisations was easy for me. The hardest part was actually deciding where I wanted to be. In the end, I did two marketing specialisations in Paris and London. Both programmes gave me an incredible foundation before going into the workforce. In fact, a lot of the marketing techniques and approaches I learned at ESCP are still very much used in my current job!
Q: Could you describe your experience in the luxury industry so far, and how ESCP has contributed to your career growth?
Caroline Housel: My experience in the luxury beauty industry began with internships while I was at ESCP. Since then, I’ve built a great network (a must in this industry) and managed to move within the same company from Paris to the global headquarters in New York. I’ve already worked in quite a few different marketing capacities, from product innovation to regional go-to-market execution. In all of my roles, both in Paris and abroad, my experiences and learnings at ESCP have been tremendously helpful. I am particularly grateful that we had a semester of general business courses in M1. Though I work in marketing, I am involved in a lot of aspects of the business and needed that foundational knowledge to succeed today.
Q: Could you tell us more about how your internship or professional experience during your master aligned with and supported your career goals?
Caroline Housel: There is a very clear connection between the internships I did at ESCP and what I do today—because I am still working for the same company! During my time at ESCP, I took a slightly less traditional route and interned with the same company three times, but for different brands and in different capacities. I loved being at the company and met so many great people, so it happened quite naturally. Those connections also helped me continue my career with the company when I decided to move to New York. The beauty industry can be difficult to break into at first, but because of ESCP I was able to gain the professional experience as a student that led to where I am today.
Q: What advice would you give to US students considering the ESCP Master’s in Management? How did the programme’s international focus and your experience studying in Europe shape your career in New York?
Caroline Housel: I highly encourage US students to pursue an MiM at ESCP if they have the opportunity. Living, studying, and working abroad early in my career has shaped my life today. I don’t think I’d be as far along in my career at a top beauty company if I hadn’t interned with them first through ESCP. I also wouldn’t have the global mindset and international experience that is so valued in professionals in New York. And—as a bonus—I wouldn’t have met my fiancé, a fellow alumnus from my year. I owe a lot of my personal and professional success today to ESCP!
Caroline’s story is a powerful example of how ESCP can serve as a springboard for a dynamic and international career. With their flexible curriculum, international exposure, and emphasis on practical experience, ESCP masters equip students with the tools they need to succeed in competitive industries. For those considering ESCP, Caroline’s experience highlights how the Business School can open doors to a world of opportunities, providing a solid foundation for both personal and professional growth.
