No matter where you are in your career, it’s easy to feel stagnated. That’s why, every year, thousands of highly experienced business professionals apply to study an EMBA—bidding to learn transformative skills such as leadership, finance, and entrepreneurship. 
However, with a wide variety of opportunities available, it’s best to enter a program with a strategic approach.
So, how do you make sure you get the most out of your EMBA experience?
Ioana Guidea (pictured right), human resources director at the global pharmaceutical giant Nipro, shares her insights into how she made the most of her time on the 18-month EMBA program at HEC Paris—one of Europe’s top-ranked business schools. Here are her six tips:
1. Get to know your classmates
When it comes to business, who you know is just as important as what you know. One of the most valuable aspects of the EMBA for Ioana was the opportunity to connect with a multinational cohort hailing from more than 33 different countries.
“It was very interesting to come from very different cultures and, at the same time, to be one cohort. I enjoyed discovering more about everyone,” Ioana says.
The program’s emphasis on teamwork through in-class discussions cultivated an environment in which Ioana could build lasting relationships with her peers, which was important in developing as a group.
“We have this WhatsApp group, and we talk every day, sharing experiences, thoughts, and situations,” she shares.
2. Manage your time effectively
An EMBA is not just a course—it’s a commitment. For Ioana, who was balancing studying with a full-time job, time management was crucial.
“It’s very challenging. You have in-class sessions, e-learning, and personal work. This isn’t something you can do on the side like a hobby—you have to be really involved.”
Fortunately, the flexibility of the HEC EMBA program made the balance possible. There are just 50 days of in-person classes on the Paris campus, while the rest of the teaching is split between pre-recorded and live lectures, making it ideal for busy professionals.
3. Experiment with leadership styles
There’s no right way to be a leader. Finding your management style is often a very personal journey. One of the key aspects of Ioana’s EMBA was discovering and refining her individual leadership abilities.
“The leadership skill was the red line of the EMBA. It really helps you discover yourself, your styles, and your limits,” she says.
A particularly potent example of how the EMBA develops students’ leadership skills is the Outdoor Leadership Seminar, where the cohort must work together as a team to overcome a range of obstacles from ravine-crossing to boat-building.
4. Apply skills outside of the classroom
Often, the best way to learn is by doing. One of the greatest advantages of working while studying an EMBA is the fact that you can put classroom theory to the test by using it in real life.
Ioana shares how she integrated a negotiation module into her daily work: “I was able to discuss different strategies with my company’s directors on how we can negotiate better prices for our products or purchasing.”
Another skill that she was able to reap the immediate benefits of was the ability to communicate over more technical aspects of the business, thanks to core courses like Corporate Finance.
“I now have a better and more precise vocabulary when speaking with my finance director,” Ioana says.
5. Throw yourself into challenges
One of the most beneficial aspects of an EMBA for experienced professionals is that it pushes them out of their comfort zone.
Ioana’s most difficult challenge came in the form of the Test Your Startup Project, which is one of the nine EMBA specializations students can pick to further develop skills in areas ranging from healthcare to governance to AI.
“[The specialization] was very intensive. Every day we had lecturers giving us advice and challenging us on specific topics,” she says.
As part of the course, Ioana had to present her ideas to venture capitalists—putting her public speaking skills to the test.
“I felt my heart beating inside me,” Ioana. “I had to calm my stress and present everything I wanted to share within a limited time.”
While nerve wracking at the time, the experience injected Ioana with lasting confidence in both her communicative and entrepreneurial abilities.
6. Network at events
At HEC Paris, there are regularly scheduled conferences and webinars for students to attend surrounding multiple areas of business. Making the most of networking events outside of the classroom can lead to unexpected opportunities.
One of the most influential talks that Ioana attended was a HR event, which ended up determining her capstone project.
“During this event, I met an alumnus who later approached me on LinkedIn about joining his HR project surrounding AI and digitalization,” she says.
After reviewing his project, she decided to change her original idea to work on his instead—a new connection which broadened both Ioana’s knowledge and future career trajectory.
So there you have it: these are Ioana’s six top tips to make the most out of your EMBA experience.
Her final piece of advice is: “When you give your time to experience different things with your colleagues, it can have a big impact on you as a person and how you grow.”