Personalizing the HEC Paris EMBA: Forging your own Flexible Path to Career Transformation

How these students harness the power of adaptability, personalization, and flexibility in their Executive MBA journeys

When it comes to making the most out of the HEC Paris EMBA's built-in flexibility, personalization is key. With its flexible program structure and a wide range of customization options, HEC Paris offers EMBA students the opportunity to tailor their experience to fit myriad career objectives.

Building expertise through diverse Specialization options

Keiller Macleod, EMBA '23, commutes to the HEC Paris campus at Jouy-en-Josas from Canada every two months or so for the EMBA. He chose HEC Paris due to its flexibility and diverse Specialization options, with 10 Specialization possibilities in 13 different locations.

He explains, "I chose HEC Paris as a school originally because of the flexibility they offer and the many options they offer as Specializations. It was difficult to choose my Specialization as there were so many good options. In the end, I chose 'Manage the Digital Revolution,' which exceeded my expectations."

"Our first week was spent downtown Paris, going over fundamentals, with a host of prominent guest speakers. This was topped off with a real-life case at Paris Disney where we pitched our ideas to their executives. Week two was spent in San Francisco, where we got exposure to American schools, spending a lot of time at both Stanford and Berkeley. We went to visit many of the top players in IT such as AWS, Google, and Oracle."

"The mobility option to Doha gave me three wins. The first to be able to move some of my academic load to a later date  due to an urgent professional challenge. Second, the opportunity to meet another cohort, and third the pleasure to spend more time together with some of my cohort peers.” - Alberto Lozano Ballesteros, EMBA '24

Macleod further highlighted the immersive nature of the program, which included visits to renowned institutions via the optional EMBA exchange. Keiller took advantage of this opportunity, attending " UCLA where I was able to choose courses that enhanced my specialization and gave me exposure to a North American school. I also participated in the GNAM program where I was able to study two additional courses at Yale. Being from Canada, it was great to get exposure to different schools in Europe and North America."

Electives and GNAM Courses: deepening knowledge and nurturing a robust professional network

For Finance executive Daria Matusevich, EMBA ’24, customization was essential to her learning journey. She emphasized the value of joining electives and participating in the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) courses.

"I joined several electives that allowed me to deep dive into specific topics of particular interest to me, such as Blockchain and Digital Marketing," she says.

"In addition, the possibility to take part in GNAM courses allowed me to receive viable knowledge from professors of top universities around the world."

Flexibility in balancing work, life, and the pursuit of an EMBA

Flexibility in scheduling is a crucial aspect of the HEC Paris EMBA program.

Marketing executive Benjamin Deblicker, EMBA ’24, emphasizes, "The HEC Paris EMBA schedule flexibility permitted me to pursue my executive management training goals by offering the possibility to start the program at different periods and with different rhythms. I was able to find a cohort with a rhythm that was compatible with my professional agenda."

This flexibility allows busy executives to balance their work commitments while pursuing their EMBA.

Geneva-based Englishman Andrew Livesey, EMBA ’23, also appreciates the scheduling flexibility of the program. He chose the End of Week track, which allowed him to maintain his work schedule while attending classes on Fridays and Saturdays every other week.

He shares, "The beauty of this is being able to immediately apply what you have learned upon returning to work the following week, which really helped solidify the concepts learned in that module."

Extending knowledge and building broader networks

Alberto Lozano Ballesteros, EMBA '24, a Spanish energy professional based in the Middle East, emphasized the importance of location, academic flexibility, and professional knowledge. He chose HEC Paris because it offered him exposure to the European network and job market, a part-time program that accommodated his work and personal duties, and a specialization in Energy, which aligned with his career aspirations.

"The multiple options for joining offered by HEC during a given year and the fact that once I was accepted, I knew that I would have a two-year period, gave me the confidence that I would be able to choose the cohort that fit best with both my personal and professional commitments," said Alberto.

Access to different cohorts and courses

Candra Sri Sutama, EMBA '23, an Indonesian native with a background in the energy sector, explains, "I want to change the course of my career but still remain in the energy sector. The core EMBA program is excellent for that, and to fit my goal, I have chosen the Energy specialization in Doha & Berlin, which was outstanding!"

The ability to customize the EMBA program at HEC Paris has led to numerous valuable experiences for students. Benjamin shares, "Having access to different cohorts, courses, etc., allows us to extend our knowledge and network. Through this experience, we can meet other students from other cohorts and exchange on our development."

This opportunity to build broader networks contributes to both personal and professional growth.

As Candra says, “I feel very confident now to move to my professional goals, thanks to the academic and non-academic experience I got in HEC. I was also able to meet with outstanding professionals who are now my precious network professionally, and in life. My future job is actually thanks to the capstone project!”

Alberto’s experience was very similar.

“Once I was accepted, I knew that I would have a two-year period, and that gave me the confidence that I would be able to choose the cohort that fit best with both my personal and professional commitments. And that was exactly the case. The mobility option to Doha gave me three wins. The first to be able to move some of my academic load to a later date  due to an urgent professional challenge. Second, the opportunity to meet another cohort, and third the pleasure to spend more time together with some of my cohort peers.”

Unlock your full potential through program flexibility

Customizing your EMBA experience at HEC Paris can be a transformative journey, allowing you to reshape your career, nurture leadership growth, and build broader networks. Beyond schedule flexibility and specialization choices, HEC Paris offers a range of additional opportunities for customization. Students can study at various campuses, including Doha, Paris, Riyadh, or Jouy-en-Josas, providing different campus life experiences. With four unique start dates per year, students can join the program in September, January, February, or March, offering flexibility to accommodate their personal and professional schedules.

“I feel very confident now to move to my professional goals, thanks to the academic and non-academic experience I got in HEC. I was also able to meet with outstanding professionals who are now my precious network professionally, and in life. My future job is actually thanks to the capstone project!”

With the ability to tailor the program to fit your goals and expectations, take advantage of schedule flexibility, and connect with exceptional professionals, an EMBA from HEC Paris is a catalyst for success.

Are you ready to unlock your full potential and create a career path that aligns with your aspirations? Connect with us. The HEC Paris EMBA awaits.