Adeline Afflatet, (MIM, class of 2010)
Strategy consultant Oliver Wyman, division Financial Services Consulting (Paris)

« My internship has proved very important to me. It has allowed me to confirm my interest in consultancy and it allowed me to test the business culture in which I was likely to work. »

> In a few words, describe your career.

Strategy consulting is about helping businesses to find appropriate responses to their problems: expansion, competitiveness, transformation… it is a very stimulating career which is constantly changing due to the diversity of the clients and their situations. I chose to be a consultant for the Financial Services division of Oliver Wyman firm. The clients of this division are exclusively from banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions.

> What are the highlights of your career? (Education taken, first job, evolution of career)

My internship has proved very important to me. It has allowed me to confirm my interest in consultancy and it allowed me to test the business culture in which I was likely to work.

> Does your job have an international dimension? If yes, what is it?

At Oliver Wyman, the allocation of the consultants is centralized for all European offices. It is therefore possible, and quite frequent that you may have to work abroad, (particularly in London) and in multicultural teams. This is very enriching in terms of work method.

> Why have you chosen this program at HEC?

The Strategic Management major allows you to gather outlines from the ‘Grande Ecole’ and the ‘Mastère spécialisé’: Therefore everyone’s background is very different; this makes the education at HEC even more interesting. Furthermore, in a program where there are only 50 pupils, you are able to build a true class spirit.Academically, the major provides essential lessons in the subject of management, so that you can build a multi-disciplinary company vision and acquire the structures and reactions of strategic thinking.

> With regards to the recession nowadays, what has your education at HEC brought to you (both personally and professionally)?

There is a lot of oral and group work, which is very important in order to learn how to efficiently multitask, and to gain confidence and belief at public presentations. Beyond that, the fundamental lessons that you learn provide a solid foundation to work in a company and the many elective openings allow you to keep a curious mind whilst maintaining the desire to focus on various subjects, which is often absolutely necessary to keep in mind when starting your professional life.  Finally, active participation in the associations gives you the chance to meet real challenges and to get to know your fellow students: I will always remember my time at Jump HEC, it was an unforgettable experience.

> Lessons, conferences, meetings and parties; what are your most memorable experiences from your year at HEC?

Mostly the ski week, the class dinner and the last party of the year!

> Finally, what advice would you give to students who aspire to follow a career in your area of business?

Consultancy is a very demanding career:  firstly in terms of content (adequacy analysis), of hard work (management of complex projects, quality reports), of responsiveness (pragmatism, ability to summarise) and quick thinking (short notice, contingency management) but in particular in human relations (background diversity and training, frequent team changes...). That’s why it is important to seize all the opportunities which are given to you to work in a team so that you can develop your ability to adapt. The different testimonials and feedback from professionals are a very good way to become more familiar with the mechanisms of business and refine its ‘strategic culture’ in order to be more creative (whilst remaining realistic!), when it comes to offering yourself solutions to a problem. With regards to recruitment, the strategic management master effectively prepares you for job interviews, especially as there are many active case studies. And needless to say that a mastery of English is a must!


- Interviewed in June 2011 -

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Avinash Agrawal (MIM, class of 2013)
B.Eng. Electrical and Electronic Engineering

« I enjoyed the focus on group-work which formed an essential part of almost every course »


> Where are you from (Country, academic program before HEC, study thematic)?

I’m originally from Nepal. Before coming to HEC, I obtained an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Cardiff University, UK.

> Could you explain us the reasons why you chose this program at HEC?

Having had limited business related courses as part of my undergraduate curriculum, I decided to choose the MSc in Management course at HEC due to its comprehensive curriculum. I particularly like how the first year comprised general courses in business and the second year gives you an option to specialize in a particular field. Moreover, the reputation of the program and the school in the industry was definitely a factor that I could not discount.

> What are the highlights of this program (speakers, thematic in particular, etc...)?

I enjoyed participating in the ‘Academies’ that took place in January. I enrolled in a French language academy which also included components of dealing with various cultures within the context of a French organization. I do believe that this particular course helped me improve my level of French. More generally though, I enjoyed the focus on group-work which formed an essential part of almost every course. I think that this gives students a taste of what it is like to work in teams within companies during your internships or after you graduate.

> How did you benefit from your experience at HEC?

Future students who join the program should be slightly careful in terms of the electives they choose. They should consult past students and try and find out more about the elective and the professor teaching it because frankly, not all electives are taught by the best faculty. Also, try and have an active ‘vie associative’ in order to be able to meet more French students and derive better value from the campus experience.

> Could you tell us more about the Eiffel scholarships you got?

The Eiffel Scholarship has probably been the best thing that happened to me! With the scholarship, you can essentially stop worrying about your day to day finances as well as any issues related to living in France. Egide – the agency in charge of handling the scholarships – ensures that you have a comfortable stay in every possible way! All you have to do is send them an email! They even organize weekend trips which are deeply discounted for scholarship holders!

> Finally, what advices would you give to students interested in getting this scholarship?

I believe that a lot of weight is given to your scholarship essay detailing your ‘professional project’. I suggest that you spend some time thinking about this and coming up with a coherent story giving details of how HEC fits in at this point of your life and how attending HEC is the next logical step towards achieving your career goals.

> Which sport or other activities did you practise on campus?

I was a member of the HEC International Students Association (HEC IS) which organizes various international themed events throughout the year. I also participated in a trading game organized by HEC Bourse. I also had the opportunity to act in the HEC Web Series – a professionally directed series that was broadcasted on the web to welcome new students and enable them to get to know HEC in a fun way!

> Could you precise your professionnal project?

I would like to eventually launch my own business. For this, I am continually trying to learn about various industries so that I can identify potential business opportunities. Therefore, during the first part of my gap year, I decided to intern with a strategy consulting firm that will give me exposure to the telecom domain. In the second half, I will be interning with a web startup in London to learn about the nitty-gritties of launching a tech business from the ground. Through these internships, I believe that I will finally be able to take the step of putting into action all those ideas bubbling in my head!

> Any others tips?

Learn French! It will make your experience much more immersive and enriching!


- Interviewed in July 2011 -

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Ming Gao (MIM, class of 2013)

« The most beneficial aspect of this program is its structure »

> Why I chose this HEC program:

I am proud to be a member of the HEC Paris community and have become extremely attached to the school. I chose HEC Paris because it is considered one of the best business schools in the world and has ranked first in the Financial Times European Business School ranking in five successive years. Furthermore, the prestigious and dynamic alumni network empowers both the current students and the alumni directly.

> Highlights of the Program:

The “Grande Ecole“ program is well-designed for ambitious, young people who do not necessarily have much work experience, but are eager to enter the business world with a competitive edge. The most beneficial aspect of this program is its structure. Fundamental courses taught during the first year provide students with a solid and broad foundation of business knowledge. In the following gap year, students can then apply their skills in the workplace and contemplate their carrier paths. In the third year, a large range of majors are available to satisfy all types of students with different objectives, allowing them to sharpen their skills in various domains. What’s more, at HEC Paris there is also an extraordinarily vibrant campus life. There are loads of activities in which you are able to meet remarkable people. From the POWs (parties of the week), to associations like IS (International students) and HEC Asia, there are a wide range of different activities in which you can participate.

> Advice for students interested in joining the program:

HEC has a huge spectrum of specializations, so I suggest reading carefully about all of the programs offered. More importantly, learning some basic “français” will be beneficial before coming. And what a beautiful language it is!

> Before HEC, and plans for the future:

Before coming to France, I obtained my bachelors in French Literature and Civilization at Sichuan International Studies University in China. Eager to be exposed to a variety of cultures and gain more insight into the business, I decided to apply to HEC which perfectly corresponded to my expectations. I am now starting my gap year where I will be doing an internship at L’Oreal Paris. I am determined to continue my career in marketing and brand management, a job which has always been fascinating and inspiring to me.

> The Air France scholarship:

I owe a large part of this incredible opportunity at HEC Paris to a scholarship I received from Air France. It relieved a large financial burden and motivated me to really benefit from the HEC experience. What’s more, the scholarship offered me a chance to know more about the company culture and the wonderful people who work there.

If you like challenging yourself and experiencing new things, I encourage you to join us at HEC Paris! Bonne chance!


- Interviewed in June 2011 -


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Yunan Lixie (MIM, class of 2013)

« Unlike other business schools which focus their curriculum on theory and research, HEC concentrates on both professional and academic training »

> Why I chose this HEC program:

Looking back on this year, I feel truly enriched and satisfied with my decision to continue my graduate education at HEC. As an undergraduate concentrator in French and Political Science, I heard about HEC during my freshman year. Ever since deciding to change my career path, I had considered the MSc program. After careful research and reflection on my personal experiences, I knew the “Grande Ecole” program could likely be a great fit. In addition to boasting an outstanding reputation in Europe, it satisfies my academic needs in terms of the variety of coursework included in the curriculum. Coming from a background unrelated to business education, I was happy to learn of the range of courses offered that explore different aspects of commerce and business. Furthermore, the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience through internships during the gap year was very appealing as it allows students to practice what is learned in the classroom. In the final year, students are allowed to focus in on a specific topic of interest.

> Highlights of the Program:

Unlike other business schools which focus their curriculum on theory and research, HEC concentrates on both professional and academic training. Having the opportunity to take classes from and speak with professionals in the field has definitely been an impressive highlight of my experience here. HEC offers elective courses sponsored by major firms and taught by knowledgeable professionals.

> How did you benefit from your experience at HEC?

Taking advantage of the resources here at HEC has certainly benefited me the most. Every year, HEC organizes three major career fairs which help students further discover their career objectives and gain valuable knowledge on future employers. To prepare for these events, I made sure to attend the school’s CV and interview workshops, and I borrowed several career guidebooks from the library to target my dream companies.

> What will you remember most from your experience at HEC?

As a business school, HEC prepares students for the professional environment. Professors design courses to foster skill development, implementing several group projects and discussions. Thus, during the past year, I have improved my communication skills immensely, especially in regards to communicating effectively with people of different cultural backgrounds. This has been a very memorable experience.

> Advice for students interested in joining the program:

Take the time to do your homework beforehand – research the school and the specific program, and have a clear career plan before the application process. It is also beneficial to learn French before coming to HEC. Even though there are both English and French tracks, it is not only advantageous to speak French when interviewing, but it can also be quite helpful for integrating into campus life.

> The Air France scholarship:

The Air France scholarship is sponsored by the China office of the company. It offers a scholarship to future business leaders in China. The scholarship is quite selective. All Chinese students admitted by HEC in 2010 had an equal opportunity to participate in the contest organized by Air France. It was composed of two parts: a presentation and a one-hour personal interview. Before reaching the grand jury final presentation, students are required to hand in PPT or paper based report on the subject “e-business in China for the next five years” and a CV.  Five students are granted the opportunity to do the final presentation. After 15 minutes presentation on the subject, I was invited to do a 45 minutes personal interview with Air France’s staff to help them get to know me better. Two selected students are granted the 5000 Euro scholarship and an opportunity to do the gap year internship in Air France.

> Degree(s) obtained before HEC:

Before HEC, I majored in Political Science and French during my undergraduate program. My college was a bit different from most Chinese general universities. It is a prestigious school administrated and supervised by Foreign Affairs Ministry and aims to raise future professional diplomats. In my sophomore, I figured out that I was not really a political woman and I wanted to switch my career path. That’s why I applied for an internship position in an investment bank in my third year. I got the opportunity to do a one-year internship in Paris with “Société Générale” between 2008 et 2009. After this enriching adventure at SG, I went back to China to finish my education and obtain my degree. In my final year, I got another opportunity to do a three-month apprenticeship in a strategic consulting firm as a business analyst. Being aware of my passion for banking, I decided to apply to HEC, a leading European business school, in order to strengthen my academic profile and to acquire necessary skills.

> Your professional objectives?

Before I applied to HEC, I had a clear professional objective in my head – I would major in corporate finance and with a focus on banking. My previous experience gave me a general idea about what it would be like in this industry. Furthermore, the courses that I took at HEC helped me to make up my mind. I love my corporate finance class, I think that it’s one of the most interesting classes that I’ve ever taken. In attending this class, I gained a good understanding of how companies are valued, how financial markets capture companies’ growth potential, and how financial directors of big companies make their investment decisions. This is the reason I applied primarily to work in banks, the merger & acquisition field specifically, for my gap year internship. I got three offers from investment banks’ M&A team. I think that I am on the right track and I am planning to choose finance as my major when I get back to HEC for my M2.


- Interviewed in June 2011 -

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