3.9.2024
Chea Christophe, an accomplished accounting consultant, shares his enriching journey through the Executive Master in Digital Transformation at ESSEC Executive Education. With a professional background firmly rooted in accounting, Christophe sought to augment his technical expertise with contemporary digital transformation knowledge. Here, he details his motivations, experiences, and the significant impact of the program on his career.
Background and Motivation
Professional Background: "I have a professional background in accounting."
Why Choose the Executive Master in Digital Transformation at ESSEC? "I wanted to complete my technical background with additional knowledge in digital transformation because we have many projects in financial departments that require processing a large volume of data."
Testimony about the Program and Benefits
Impactful Modules: Christophe chose four modules: Big Data and AI, Design Thinking and Agile Methods, Leading with Data, and Mastering Digital Business Models. Among these, the module on Big Data and AI stood out the most.
"My favorite module was Big Data and AI. We learned the fundamentals of digital transformation, and I found the chapter on data visualization particularly intriguing, especially the introduction to coding on Tableau."
Skills Gained: Throughout the program, Christophe acquired several new skills that significantly benefited his career.
"I had the opportunity to learn effective group work, and most importantly, enrich my knowledge in digital transformation, which is invaluable given the numerous projects that impact us."
Real-World Application: Christophe successfully applied his newfound skills to real-world challenges in his job.
"I used data processing and analysis tools to automate time-consuming accounting tasks."
ESSEC Online Experience
Flexible Learning Experience: The program's flexible structure seamlessly integrated into Christophe's professional and personal life.
"This full online Master's degree was very practical for balancing my professional life. I could study during my break hours or in the evening after work."
Support and Guidance: The support from the academic coach and community manager played a crucial role in Christophe's journey.
"The use of collaborative tools such as Slack and the support of community managers on various issues were valuable. They particularly helped by sending reminders for webinars and updating exercises or courses."
Online Learning Environment: The online format suited Christophe's learning style and schedule well.
"I appreciated the one-hour webinars at lunchtime, remote group calls, and the e-learning that allowed flexibility."
Advantages and Challenges: The program offered several advantages but also posed some challenges.
"Advantages included the flexibility of the online program. Challenges were the jet lag and communication issues due to participants being from all over the world, and the lack of face-to-face interaction to foster social connections more easily."
Faculty and Interaction: While the faculty members were accessible, Christophe felt that more face-to-face monitoring could have enhanced the experience.
Technology and Resources: ESSEC provided several technological tools and resources to enhance the online learning experience, including Slack and the ESSEC platform.
Community and Networking: ESSEC Executive Education facilitated community building and networking through events like "Get together" sessions.
Life after ESSEC Online
Impact on Professional Life: The ESSEC program significantly impacted Christophe's career and daily work.
"It gave me more legitimacy to work on areas other than purely accounting."
Christophe Chea's journey through the Executive Master in Digital Transformation at ESSEC Executive Education highlights the program's profound impact on professional growth and development. His experiences underscore the value of flexible, online learning and the importance of continuous education in navigating the evolving landscape of digital transformation.
