Embarking on an MBA journey is a transformative experience, offering a myriad of opportunities for academic, professional, and personal growth. Whether you’sd like to change careers, learn new skills or develop an international network, the MBA programme can help you achieve many of your goals. However, if you’sre looking to make the very most of your MBA journey, this year’s Ambassador Students have gathered a few helpful tips from their personal experience. Read on!
Jamie Wu
Taiwanese
MBA Ambassador
Class of 2024
« My time in the ESCP MBA programme has been a transformative journey, and I am confident it will be the same for you! It’s a blend of academic rigour, personal development, and professional networking. By actively engaging in classes, honing your soft skills, building a diverse network, and managing your time and goals, you can extract the maximum value from your MBA experience. »
Jamie presenting with fellow classmates
1. Engage in the classroom
Being an active participant in class is more than just about learning theories and models. It is about immersing yourself in a learning environment that is vibrant, challenging, and interactive. Students who actively engage in discussions and workshops not only deepen their understanding but also retain information more effectively. It’s not just about absorbing knowledge; it’s about making it a part of your thinking process, and getting prepared to face real-world business challenges.
2. Hone your soft skills and learn through practice
Soft skills are the tools that will shape you into a leader who can both lead and be led. Skills like effective communication, empathy, teamwork, and adaptability are vital. They don’st just come from textbooks but from real interactions and experiences. Whether it’s through leading a group project or navigating team dynamics, these skills are crucial for your future managerial roles.
In the ESCP MBA programme, an exciting part of your studies will be the opportunity to work on Company Consultancy Projects. These projects allow you to collaborate with pioneering companies, addressing real-world business challenges. This experience is not just a learning exercise; it’s a chance to make a tangible impact and gear up for your future career adventures.
3. Network in a diverse environment
The diversity within the ESCP MBA programme is truly remarkable. I’ve had the privilege of connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, witnessing firsthand the invaluable richness this diversity brings. Networking isn’st just about exchanging business cards; it’s about building relationships that enrich your understanding of the multi-cultural business landscape. The connections you make now are the ones that will support you throughout your career. Networking opens up a world of opportunities « “ be it mentorship, job opportunities, or even new business ventures. The relationships built during your MBA can be a significant asset in your professional life.
4. Make the most out of the career services
Another invaluable resource at ESCP is our Career Services, encompassing career workshops, job fairs, and personalised one-on-one career consultations. This platform serves as an excellent opportunity to establish genuine connections with alumni and business professionals. Engaging with Career Services can significantly enhance your understanding of the professional landscape and pave the way for future opportunities.
5. Set clear goals and master your time
As a busy MBA student, I strongly advise fellow students to establish clear goals for their MBA journey. What do you aim to achieve? Is it career advancement, skill acquisition, or a complete career shift? Clear goals serve as a compass, guiding you through the programme more effectively. Moreover, one of the most significant challenges I’ve observed students grapple with is time management. An MBA programme demands rigour, and mastering effective time management is key. It’s about balancing academics, networking, internships, and personal time. By setting clear goals, you can prioritise your activities and manage your time efficiently, even in high-pressure situations.
Hanyang Zhang
Chinese
MBA Ambassador
Class of 2024
1. Define your objectives
Define your short-term and long-term career objectives. Identify the specific skills and knowledge necessary to accomplish these goals. This clarity will serve as a roadmap for your journey, guiding you toward success in your MBA programme and beyond.
2. Network: Attend networking events, conferences, and industry seminars.
Connect with alumni, industry professionals, and guest speakers to broaden your professional circle. For instance, register as an ESCP alumni member and actively participate in networking events to engage with more alumni and glean insights from their experiences. Additionally, leverage LinkedIn to expand your network; ESCP alumni are often generous in offering guidance and assistance.
3. Build a Personal Brand
In my view, creating a professional online presence, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, is essential. Showcasing your achievements, skills, and experiences allows others to understand which strengths you gained along the journey. This, in turn, opens up opportunities to connect with more people and unlock potential opportunities for your professional growth.
4. Take Advantage of Career Services
Take advantage of the career counselling and coaching services offered by the programme « ” as I did. The teachers involved in the Career Services are highly experienced, and resources like Jobteaser will provide you with tools to enhance your career path development. Attending workshops focusing on resume building, interview skills, and job searching will help you refine and strengthen your professional skill set!
5. Engage Actively in Class
My last piece of advice would be to participate enthusiastically in discussions and group activities to maximise your learning experience. Actively contributing to the academic environment will allow you to establish meaningful connections with professors and classmates.
Francisca Jesus Medina Bustos
Chilean
MBA Ambassador
Class of 2024
Francisca and Hanyan
1. Embrace meeting new people and cultures
To make the most of the MBA programme, I recommend being open to meeting individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Share your experiences and be receptive to learning from theirs. Additionally, show enthusiasm for learning even a few words of their languages.
2. Be open to new learning experiences
Open yourself to new experiences and a continuous learning mindset. Approach your courses with energy and motivation to extract the maximum benefit. I’sd recommend cultivating curiosity by actively seeking answers and being eager to ask questions as well.
3. If you feel like it, learn a new language!
Personally, I find new languages fascinating, considering them a valuable tool for establishing connections with others. Learning just a few words of another language can help you bond with others; and, in my view, it is also a very important opportunity to learn more from the whole MBA experience.
