João’s Global MBA Journey: From Brazil’s Public Sector to Marketing Director

João’s professional journey is a powerful example of how an MBA can unlock new career paths. Originally working in Brazil’s public sector as a Budget Advisor and Data Intelligence Coordinator, João pursued the ESSEC Global MBA to pivot into the private sector and expand his global opportunities. Today, he is the Marketing Director at Spaag, a performance and growth marketing consultancy based in Paris. In this interview, João shares how the ESSEC MBA equipped him with the business acumen, leadership skills, and international exposure needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of digital marketing. Discover how an MBA can fuel a career change, open doors in global markets, and build the confidence to lead in new industries.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

João: I'm Brazilian, and I am Marketing Director at Spaag, a consulting firm based in Paris specialized in digital, performance, and growth marketing.

What was your background before you decided to look for an MBA?

João: I was Budget Advisor and Data Intelligence coordinator in the public sector in Brazil before I joined the MBA at ESSEC.

Why did you choose the GMBA at ESSEC?

João: I choose ESSEC because I knew it was French Ivy League. I wanted to study in a school globally known for its excellence and that could open my network with top executives in France.

What was your project when you entered the program?

João: I wanted to pivot my career into the private sector and project myself internationally.

What are the main skills that you acquired during the program?

João: The MBA in Strategy and Management have me a 360-degrees view into the corporate world, from strategy, finance, and marketing to supply chain operations. I acquired both hard skills in Tableau, Advanced Excel, and PowerPoint, and soft skills in negotiation, pitching my ideas, and pitching myself in networking events.

What is your current job position and how did the GMBA help you reach it?

João: I am currently Marketing Director at Spaag. Although I had been working with data for several years before my MBA, it was only at ESSEC that I came in touch with marketing, and five years later I am a Marketing Director. I think it speaks for itself in terms of what an MBA can do to accelerate and leverage your career.

What is your best memory of the program?

João: My best memories of the program are with the several friends I made from all over the world. The moments we spent together in Chablis or in the many networking events in Parisian restaurants and bistros, but also the moments we spent separate pushing through COVID and being our support network far from home.

Your experience at ESSEC in one word?

João: Reassuring.

Your advice to future applicants?

João: Embrace the language, learning French will truly enhance your MBA journey.

Inspired by João’s journey?

Discover how the ESSEC Global MBA can empower you to pivot your career, develop strategic leadership skills, and thrive in a global, fast-moving business environment.