1.9.2025
The new academic year at ESSEC is marked by the arrival of students from diverse backgrounds, each with well-defined goals. Whether transitioning careers, seeking international experience, or deepening expertise, five new Master’s students share their first impressions of campus life, the opportunities available, and their aspirations.
My arrival at ESSEC was a bit of a culture shock, to be honest. At first, I was struck by the very serious atmosphere, which is quite different from the laid-back vibe at my old university, the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. But as I started mixing with other students, I quickly realized that beneath the seriousness, there’s an incredibly warm and friendly environment.
After three years working at Deloitte as a financial transformation consultant, I felt the need to return to school with a clear goal: to build an international career. I’ve always dreamed of living in Europe. I even considered Madrid, but Paris ultimately won out. It’s the perfect place to improve my French, of course, but most importantly, to get closer to my dream of working in the beauty or luxury industries.
I’m convinced I’m exactly where I need to be to succeed. My goal is to thrive professionally in a strategy or customer excellence management role. I can’t wait to experience the Parisian work culture, which I’m sure is very different from what I knew in the U.S. I’m ready to take on this new challenge.
After completing a science preparatory program, an engineering school in Morocco, and a Master's degree at École Polytechnique, I joined ESSEC to complete my studies with a PhD in Data Analytics. I’ve been here for two days, and my first impressions are excellent. I find the environment very interesting, especially compared to my past experiences. People are more sociable, and the campus is very international, which suits me perfectly.
Even though I speak French, I’m more comfortable in English, and I appreciate how everyone can switch between languages so fluidly. I have a clear goal for the coming years: I want to start making a name for myself in my field by publishing scientific articles. I specialize in statistics, data, and artificial intelligence, and I want to build my reputation in this niche. I’m certain that ESSEC is the ideal place to achieve this.
I chose ESSEC not only for its academic excellence but also for its commitment to ecological transition. For the third year in a row, the school has been ranked first in France for its engagement in ecological and social transition by the ChangeNOW ranking, a leading reference in this field. So, it made perfect sense for me to enroll in the MSc in Sustainability Transformation.
Since we’re just at the beginning of the year, I’ve only spent one day on campus. But that was enough to connect with the program director, who seemed very interesting. I’m sure the year will be incredibly enriching.
It took me time to find my path, but I’ve always wanted to make a difference. Growing up in Africa, I became aware of environmental and social issues at a young age. Over the next few years, I hope to actively contribute to change on the continent.
My ambitions are clear: I want to learn more about ecological transition, take advantage of forums to connect with committed people, and refine my vision of possible careers in sustainable development.
My journey led me to ESSEC, and my first impressions are really positive. What struck me most was the ultra-international atmosphere and how easily everyone mixes. The class is large, but the diversity is amazing.
On the second day, we had a team-building event. It was a great way to break the ice. We asked each other personal and professional questions, which helped us get to know each other beyond our resumes.
I came here with clear goals, even if I’m still unsure about what comes next. The SMIB’s program offers incredible opportunities. I’m very interested in international exchanges, especially double degrees in Mexico, Hong Kong, or Toronto. There are also specializations that appeal to me, like entrepreneurship, sustainability, or global management.
My background might seem a bit unusual. After engineering school and a year abroad in England, I specialized in mechanics before switching to finance for my last semester. That shift brought me to ESSEC, and I’m excited to see where this path will take me.
My background is quite eclectic. After a bachelor’s in economics and management at the University of Grenoble, I worked for two years in tourism before earning another master’s degree at a different business school. I was lucky enough to do a one-year apprenticeship there, working as a buyer and project manager for a climbing equipment company.
Now, I’m at ESSEC for an MS in International Purchasing & Supply Chain Management, with the goal of improving my skills in procurement and, eventually, starting my own business in the sports industry, one of my great passions. As a high-level snowboarder myself, I want to combine my passion with my future career.
My first impressions of ESSEC are very positive. The school is bigger and more beautiful than my previous business school, the students are well-dressed, and the atmosphere is more serious. I had my first class this morning and was impressed by the students’ intelligence and insightful comments. You can tell right away that these are smart people, which is really stimulating. The professors seem brilliant, with solid experience. The diversity of the class, with 83 students from different nationalities and good gender balance, is really cool and inspiring.
