Celine Unneberg

I have really appreciated how tailored the programme is for those who wish to pursue a career in management consulting

I completed my undergraduate degree at the London School of Economics (LSE), after which I spent two years pursuing work-experience within the diverse fields of finance (at Bloomberg LP) and international development (at the UN and Norwegian Foreign Service). 

Why join the program? 

I mainly choose the MSc in Strategic Management because of the course content and international recognition of the Program. It was important for me to do a Masters which would provide me with a set of key business skills, and the practical approach to learning here has done just that. This is reflected in the relevant subject matters covered, the mix of academic professors and industry practitioners, the London study trip and the countless company workshops in Paris. The latter have presented great networking opportunities, but also a chance to learn more about companies from the inside.  

Having done my undergraduate degree in a major city, I also really wanted to experience campus life. Not only do I see building a close network as an important aspect of a Master’s degree, but it was also something I wanted to experience on a personal level.  

A sense of community  

One of the major highlights has been the great people I have met here. As most people live on campus, I felt a closer sense of community on campus after just a few weeks than I had developed after a year in London. The students are all highly motivated and ambitious individuals, but I experience no sharp elbows or the intra-class rivalry that I might have expected from another Business School. Instead, our class is both really collaborative and sociable. At the same time, it is very inspiring to know that your friends are going to go on to do great things, and that we can get together to share amazing experiences as we progress in our careers. 

A valuable skillset 

Coming from a more “academia-focused” social sciences background, I have learnt a lot from the emphasis on group work and real-world business cases, and found this new approach was a much better fit for my skillset and preferences. On a more personal level, the experiences both in and outside the classroom have allowed me to learn more about how I work with other people. Being surrounded by a group of hard-working individuals has made me understand how much I thrive in an ambitious and stimulating environment. 

Finally, I have really appreciated how tailored the programme is for those who wish to pursue a career in management consulting. I believe it was this focus, reflected in both course content and from my fellow students, that allowed me to completely switch fields and land a job in an industry I had little prior exposure to. Firstly, it prepared me for the rigorous consulting interview process. Indeed, it was even turned into a fun experience practicing together with friends with similar ambitions. Moreover, it provided a lot more detail on and exposure to an industry that can seem quite opaque from the outside. This exposure made me understand that I would be suited for such a career, and more importantly, that I will really enjoy it!  

Career goals 

My work experiences pre-HEC were diverse and varied, both in terms of geographical location and industry sector. I became interested in pursuing a career in consulting and enrolled in the MSc Strategic Management at HEC with this particular goal in mind. Studying at HEC has allowed me to reach this goal and, upon graduation, I will start working as a management consultant at Bain & Company. I look forward to a steep learning curve and work on various projects in order to get a better sense of the industries and issues that I am really passionate about.