From the classroom to dream career: back to school advice from ESCP alumni

"Three key factors that have always guided my choices: motivation, cultural fit, and people." Clara Mayer shared her cheat code for navigating career decisions. Does the role energise you and stretch your strengths? Do the company’s values and mission ring true? Will you be surrounded by colleagues and leaders who challenge, support, and inspire you? While she shared her three factors, she encouraged students to find their own “career compass” and use it to make choices that will make their careers fulfilling.

Anne-Sophie Njapoum also advised students to get really honest with themselves about why they want to pursue a role. Whether it's for altruistic or more practical reasons, she suggests thoroughly understanding your true motivations to stay aligned with your goals.

Njapoum shared her perspective as someone who regularly interviews and hires. When you’re applying for junior roles, soft skills won’t compensate if the fundamentals aren’t there.

Edouard Bazil echoed the message with a long-term view. In the workplace, things and time move quickly. Now is your moment to master the basics, so later you can challenge assumptions with authority. You’ll only get that confidence if you go deep now.

Bazil also urged students to see their time at ESCP as a chance to experiment and apply their learning. "Imagine you want to launch a startup, then do your accounting class, your marketing class, your legal class, all while working on that hypothetical project."

Mayer echoed the value of applying skills outside the classroom and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. For her, student associations were a way to test interests in practice, discover new fields, and collaborate on real-world projects. She was part of the association Noise, which gave her a chance to work with young graduates launching social startups. "It brought a lot of value, because I could see the backstage of entrepreneurship and get involved in a field I probably wouldn’t have touched otherwise."

"I studied gemology, thinking I would be a diamond hunter, and I ended up running coverage at Goldman Sachs." Julie Duval didn’t set out to work in banking. She followed her curiosity, listened to trusted peers, and doubled down on the skills she actually had: strong data analysis and emotional intelligence. That mix, along with her interesting profile, opened doors she didn’t anticipate. "It was really like a mix of listening to people I trusted, getting inspired by what my friends were doing, and also being super clear on what my skills were."

Giorgia Salce reinforced that careers are not about racing toward the next milestone with some advice from her own mentor. "Don’t be in a rush to gain money or take the step up. Take the time to really learn and get the best out of your experience before moving on."

"Networking is a muscle." Mayer’s point was echoed by several speakers. Your ESCP network isn’t just a list of names; it’s a behaviour. Reach out, follow up, give back regularly. Most messages won’t get a reply, but the one that does could change everything.

Salce added a complementary angle that the relationships you build at ESCP will become one of your most valuable long-term assets. This skill has enabled her to make wise moves across Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.

Turning points came up repeatedly. Duval left a comfortable decade at JP Morgan (with a six-month-old at home) to take a stretch role. "I decided to take more risks. That was the moment when I learned to trust myself. I decided to believe that if I was offered the opportunity, it was because I deserved it and had the skills."

Her story showed that growth often requires stepping out of security and into uncertainty, even when the timing doesn’t feel perfect or you’re fighting imposter syndrome.