• A management master’s is suitable for those who wish to switch careers or industries.
• Future entrepreneurs benefit from doing a master’s degree at ESSEC Asia-Pacific.
• Business school is perfect for building a strong network in Asia and worldwide.

As people increasingly opt for a master’s degree to stand out in the competitive job market, management programs stand out for two reasons: First, their versatility to cut across roles, and second, because compared to the Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), a management master’s does not require work experience.

Of the different management programs in the world, ESSEC Asia-Pacific’s Master in Management (MiM) and the Master in Strategy & Management of International Business (SMIB) are known for their rankings as the top in Asia, with graduates found in companies such as Google, Amazon, McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, J.P. Morgan, Bank of America Merrill-Lynch, and more.

To understand if the school and programs are a good fit for you, here are some of the most common profiles of students who find their way to the ESSEC SMIB and MiM programs:

Those Looking to Switch to a Business-related Role

It is common for those with technical degrees, like in engineering or healthcare—to choose the MiM or SMIB program to shore up their business knowledge and prepare for a new role or industry.

The MiM and SMIB programs deliver a solid foundation with core business, finance, innovation, and more courses. Themes on responsible leadership and sustainable business practices are also woven into the curriculum to ensure that students are up-to-date with industry trends.

Keerthana Sreekanth Rao, from the class of 2020, testifies to how “the SMIB program felt like a good introduction to the business world without too much emphasis on any one sector.”

Having come from a background in biomedical research, her short but comprehensive stint in the SMIB program was crucial in helping her develop skills to join a venture capital firm and later become a business analyst at Phillips.

However, those who want to explore their options often choose the MiM program. Touted as unparalleled in flexibility, the program boasts over 200 elective courses and 50 specializations to choose from, with a longer duration to complete the curriculum—perfect for exploring new industries or diving deep into those you are interested in.

Those interested in Entrepreneurship

Budding entrepreneurs benefit from the robust suite of business skills acquired during a management degree—and management students arguably have an added advantage with the ESSEC Asia-Pacific campus in Singapore.

This is partly because of the school’s proximity to LaunchPad@JTC, a hub that houses startups, incubators, accelerators, and venture capital firms. Students can look out for visits to these local startups and talks by entrepreneurs from different sectors.

Those in the MiM program can also opt for the Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Sustainability (IES) track. Exclusively available to those at ESSEC Asia-Pacific, this track will help them develop the skills needed to start their own companies.

For Those Who Want to Expand Their Networks

Building a solid professional network is another benefit of having a management degree from a business school. ESSEC holds its weight in this area with an expansive alumni network of over 65,000 and counting, many of whom occupy leadership positions across numerous sectors, functions, and countries.

Students are given access to these alumni through networking sessions and further build their networks through guest talks from industry experts and study trips to visit top-tier companies.

In addition, SMIB students at ESSEC Asia-Pacific have a mentorship program with alumni to guide them through their job search process. In contrast, MiM students can connect with industry leaders through chairs.

These are professional tracks sponsored and co-designed by industry leaders and include but are not limited to a Luxury Chair by LVMH, a Future of Finance Chair by AXA, a Leadership & Diversity Chair by L’Oreal, and more.

For Those Keen on Learning About Asia

Finally, a management master’s from ESSEC is perfect for those looking to start a career in Asia-Pacific. The school’s location in the vibrant financial hub of Singapore gives its students a first-hand perspective of the immense growth in the region.

In addition, the city’s diverse population and ESSEC’s international student body provide ample opportunity to strengthen their multicultural skills—critical to succeed in a region as culturally diverse as Asia.

Case studies and industry projects in both programs also focus on challenges in Asia, and where the SMIB program has the Asian Strategy Challenge (ASC), the MiM program has the Asian Strategy Consulting Project (ASCP) and Junior Consultant Experience (JCE), all of which are a chance for students to act as consultants and gain tangible work experience with an Asian company.

Both programs offer students a week-long study trip overseas to meet and greet professionals in Thailand, Vietnam, and more.

Benefits accrue even for those not looking to work in the region. “Being in Singapore enabled me to approach technology from a new perspective different from my European colleagues,” MiM student Guillaume De Brito, adding that he has also found the “internationalization” of one’s CV to be an advantage in the job market.

To him, the advantages of doing a management program at a top business school are, in fact, applicable to all: No matter one’s background, “it allows you to transform your career dreams into well-established plans,” he says.