Joining a student club at ESSEC Asia-Pacific isn’t just something you do to pad your resume. It’s often where students discover their purpose, build practical skills, and connect with a supportive community. Whether your interests lie in business strategy, creative marketing, or social impact, clubs offer real-world experiences that complement what you learn in class. Here’s how students are getting the most out of them.

1. Discovering purpose through shared interests

At ESSEC, clubs aren’t just about filling time between classes. They’re a way for students to dive deeper into areas they care about and to meet others with similar interests. Whether it’s the ESSEC Consulting Club, Thrive Marketing Club, or the Volunteering Club, each group gives students a space to explore passions in a structured but flexible way.

These communities often lead to unexpected insights. A student may join the marketing club out of curiosity and walk away with a new interest in branding strategy. A student looking to volunteer may find themselves organizing events that create lasting community partnerships. The point is that clubs help you find what excites you.

2. Building professional skills and networks

Many clubs offer hands-on experience that mirrors the real working world. Take the ESSEC Consulting Club as an example. Students participate in case competitions, attend resume review sessions, and interact with professionals from firms like McKinsey or BCG. These opportunities aren’t hypothetical. They’re practical exercises that sharpen communication, problem-solving, and analytical thinking.

Plus, through events like industry talks and networking nights, club members connect with alumni and professionals who were once in their shoes. It’s a direct line to mentorship, internships, and insider knowledge that can give you an edge in competitive fields.

3. Making a social impact

For students driven by purpose, the Volunteering Club offers a different kind of growth. Students collaborate with organizations like Willing Hearts and Dignity Kitchen and engage with causes that matter. Whether they’re organizing donation drives, tutoring underserved students, or working with food redistribution efforts, these experiences create lasting memories and shape students’ understanding of social responsibility.

It also broadens their view of leadership—driving profits and contributing to communities.

4. Enhancing personal growth

Clubs aren’t just about career prep. They help you grow. From taking on leadership roles to working with people from different cultures and disciplines, the experience challenges you to think differently and communicate effectively.

As ESSEC Global Bachelor of Business Administration (GBBA) student Alexia Dsouza shared, “Given ESSEC APAC’s relatively smaller scale, students have abundant opportunity to be enterprising and start or become a club’s founding member. This allows for great personal development instead of joining a club as a passive member.”

Her experience reflects a key benefit of the campus: you don’t just join clubs. You shape them.

More than just extracurriculars

At ESSEC Asia-Pacific, student clubs are more than a side activity. They’re a training ground for life. They offer connection, discovery, and a safe space to try new things. The friendships, confidence, and leadership skills you gain will stay with you long after graduation.