In Singapore, business runs on relationships. And at ESSEC Asia-Pacific, networking isn’t just a skill you learn. It’s a lived experience. Whether chatting with a classmate after a lecture or meeting a managing director over a glass of wine, connections are everywhere if you know how to lean into them.

Here’s how ESSEC helps students build a professional network that lasts long after graduation.

Start with Who’s Around You

From day one, your classmates are your first network. With students from over 40 nationalities, every group project or club event becomes a crash course in cross-cultural collaboration. As Master in Strategy & Management of International Business (SMIB) graduate Soraya Saint-Marc shared, “We learned to build on those differences to create something better.”

Chehak Joneja, a Master in Management (MiM) student, recalls that even casual lunches turned into career advice sessions and job leads. When everyone brings a different lens to the table, every conversation has potential.

Go Beyond the CV at Career Events

ESSEC’s career events are built for real dialogue. Instead of just handing out resumes, students engage directly with startup founders, consultants, and alumni across industries.

Shristi Khemka, a SMIB student from India, landed a job at L’Oréal in France through a contact she met at an ESSEC career fair. Classmate Howie Chia, now working at BNP Paribas, credits the Career Services team for the coaching and networking events that gave him confidence during interviews.

Learn, Then Linger

Masterclasses at ESSEC don’t end when the slides do. In one recent session on digital advertising, students got to mingle with industry experts over a wine tasting. That casual setting sparked deeper conversations and connections.

Student Clubs = Hidden Goldmines

Want to meet alumni? Bring them in yourself. That’s what Thomas Escalier did when he co-founded the Consulting Club. His initiative gave him direct access to professionals at top firms like PwC, where he now works. Clubs like these also foster peer networking and shared learning in a low-pressure environment.

Leverage the City

ESSEC students aren’t limited to campus. Singapore is teeming with public lectures, startup demo days, and business mixers. The school encourages students to take full advantage.

Shristi and Howie even traveled abroad during the SMIB study trip to deepen their understanding of regional business practices. From Dubai to Hong Kong, each stop expanded their professional circle.

From Classmates to Lifelong Connections

Perhaps the biggest takeaway? Relationships at ESSEC don’t end at graduation. “The people you meet here,” said one graduate, “become your colleagues, co-founders, and friends for life.”

Whether you’re prepping for a consulting case, launching a startup, or navigating your first internship, someone in your ESSEC network has been there and is willing to help.

So stay curious, start conversations, and don’t wait for a formal invite. In Singapore’s business scene, your next big opportunity could be sitting right next to you.