PAUL HANKE

 With both academics and professionals teaching courses there is a good mix of theory and practice. 

I graduated from Leiden University College in The Hague where I majored in International Law. Having experienced the public sector during my time in German Parliament I decided to try consulting after my graduation. After a three-month internship, I was promoted to junior consultant at Evers & Jung and really fell in love with consulting. However, I needed a better tool kit to become a good strategy consultant. 

Why I chose the MSc Strategic Management

For me the MSc Strategic Management was a perfect opportunity to learn all the skills I would need in strategy consulting. Looking at the curriculum, I appreciated the clear focus on strategy, which fascinates me to this day. The 10-month duration of the program would also ensure that I could continue to work soon which I really liked. 

What I have taken away from my year at HEC Paris

My personal highlight was the good mix of practice and theory during the program. Multiple classes are taught by strategy consultants, and guest speakers from all kinds of industries ensure a broad yet in-depth overview of industries and functions one can work in after graduating from HEC Paris.

As someone with a humanities background, I was not prepared for how much HEC worked on preparing us for the job market. CV and interview workshops made me understand what employers require from us candidates. But I was also able to learn more from the firms themselves in person. Especially the multiple workshops with firms both in London and Paris really helped me find out where I want to work. At HEC's career fairs I was able to speak to many more professionals personally giving me even better insight.

Never having studied business before, I had an especially steep learning curve throughout my time at HEC. With both academics and professionals teaching courses there is a good mix of theory and practice. Rigorous case study training throughout the curriculum was a good preparation for the world of strategy consulting. A personal highlight of this training was the HEC business game - a two day case competition with challenges from consulting firms Bain and Company and Wavestone, transaction service provider EdenRed, and beer giant ABInBev. Alongside my case partner and friend Jacqueline Hueneke I won the competition against 700 applicants and 220 participants. What a great way to apply all my learnings from this year at HEC!