Alexander Baule
Master in Strategic Management
The program provides an unparalleled opportunity to discuss strategic business topics with a diverse group of talented individuals. It was the ideal fit for my ambitious career plan to go into strategy consulting after graduating.
Why did you decide to join this HEC Paris Master?
I decided to join the Master in Strategic Management for two major reasons. Firstly, the program was the ideal fit for my ambitious career plan to go into strategy consulting after graduating. The program provides the same characteristics as strategy consulting as you work in diverse teams, in an international environment and solve strategic business problems in both situations. Secondly, the program’s fully customizable curriculum provides a good balance between theory and practice with case study-based learning. As you can choose from many different electives, business projects, certificates, and master thesis topics, the program is the perfect springboard to achieve your full potential and career goals.
What are your biggest takeaways from the program?
During my studies, I specifically strengthened my problem-solving skills to adapt to new challenges and ever-changing environments. The program provided a perfect balance between theory from leading researchers and practice through real-life case studies and business projects with different companies. Moreover, it gave me the opportunity to select different electives and a certificate to deepen my practical knowledge and experience. The fully customizable curriculum allowed me to tailor the program according to my interests and career goals. Far beyond the program, I was happy to engage in student societies, such as the HEC Paris German Society, and built long-lasting friendships with fellow students.
What is your current job? What types of responsibilities do you have?
After my master’s degree, I aspired to work at an international strategy consulting firm as this career offers a steep learning curve and an excellent opportunity to gain broad exposure. Moreover, it allows me to have a strategic impact on international companies and shape the future of leading organizations. Thus, I am currently working as a consultant at the Berlin office of McKinsey & Company with a focus on digital business building (McKinsey Leap). Typical responsibilities in my projects include the identification of user needs and pain points in interviews and translation into product features, building of prototypes and click-dummies for user testing, development of go-to-market strategies to proof product-market-fit and generate traction, calculation of business case and monetization potential (including KPIs, benchmarking, scenario analysis).
How did you find your job?
Overall, HEC Paris and the Master in Strategic Management have strong connections to the most attractive companies and consultancies by offering regular networking opportunities with them. I had the opportunity to get to know the most relevant international consulting firms through the HEC Career Center and the HEC German Society. Moreover, I was supported by CV checks, case interview training, and regular case interview preparations with other HEC Paris students that were preparing for consulting interviews.
How did the program help define your career path and secure your job?
The program has not only given me the chance to broaden my perspective and gain valuable insights into different industries; learning from CEOs and managers has also exposed me to the qualities of exceptional leaders. Foremost, the presence to inspire and the courage to lead through uncharted waters – virtues that constitute the cornerstones of the Master in Strategic Management and that drive me to internalize this unique program with such conviction. Due to the unrivaled networking opportunities and the global alumni network next to HEC’s international reputation and strong ranking results, the Master in Strategic Management provided a unique platform and accelerated my career progress. To me, the program provided an unparalleled opportunity to discuss strategic business topics with a diverse group of talented individuals.
What are your long-term career aspirations, and how will having the STRAT Master help you achieve your goals?
After graduating from HEC Paris, I aim to have a strategic impact on leading organizations and learn as much as possible as a strategy consultant. After gaining some years of experience and once the learning curve flattens off, I would be interested to start something new and found my own startup and have an even more positive impact on our society. Nevertheless, I still want to stay flexible and open to new opportunities that arise along my professional journey.
Any advice for students considering joining the STRAT Master and wishing to follow a similar career path?
I can highly recommend joining the Master in Strategic Management , it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My biggest piece of advice would be to try to contribute to the HEC community through extracurricular activities and by playing an active part in the student body during your studies and even afterwards.