There are many transferable skills from STEM subjects to start-ups. Engineers are using masters programs to launch ventures.
Before Bella Handojo became a business student, she was a food sciences undergrad, when she spent years researching and writing reports on the manufacturing of food stuffs at university. Now she is an entrepreneur, cooking up a venture that she hopes will shake-up the food and beverage industry in Indonesia.“I come from a country where education and work motivation is considerably low. I want to be able to create opportunities,” she says.
Bella has completed business education in a whirl. A masters in entrepreneurship took her across three different countries – France, China and the US – at three leading institutions – including EMLYON Business School.
“Moving from one country to another within one year has helped me to adapt faster to situations,” she says.
There are many transferable skills, from tech to business. “Entrepreneurship is not just accounting or finance; it is about being outrageously creative in any field – engineering, IT, science or arts,” Bella says.
She is one of a growing number of former techies that have turned to business education.
A survey last year of more than 5,000 business school applicants found 5% more technology employees and 0.3% more engineers were opting for business education than the previous year.
Bella and her fellow alum Abhinandan De are the new faces of the evolving business school scene. Abhinandan is a manager at IIAS Group, a company with interests in the education, hospitality, tourism and manufacturing sectors.
He moved into management after a career as an industrial engineer, including at a steel plant in west Bengal, India.
“I [have] always wanted to be an entrepreneur and to build a business,” he says. “Engineering is hard work; it prepares one to not only be analytical, but to go through the grind of college.”
A masters in entrepreneurship has helped him switch careers. Now, he is developing a business plan for a mobile applications business.
Abhinandan says the program made a difference: “Not only has it made me more aware about how the start-up world works, but it has also provided me with the key skills [and] insights [needed] to think like an investor.”
The Global Entrepreneurship Program he studied is a double-degree between EMLYON Business School and Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management, run jointly by EMLYON in Europe, Zhejiang University’s School of Management in Asia and Purdue University’s Krannert School in the US.
By working in three global markets, students benefit from cultural experiences far beyond pure academic studies. Also, on each continent the entrepreneurs work on semester-long consulting projects for local companies with students from other countries.
For those with more than three years’ work experience, experienced STEM – science, tech, engineering and math – graduates are also studying at business schools to follow a start-up path. Magesh Rengaswamy, who is enrolled in the full-time International MBA at EMLYON in France, spent five years engineering in the energy sector in India.
“I realized the importance of undergoing a formal business school education to strengthen my entrepreneurial skill-sets,” he says.
He thinks the transition has been enriching so far. “The small MBA cohort size, with diverse backgrounds, is a key advantage,” says Magesh.
He has ambitions to eventually launch his own energy company. “I consider an MBA to be right decision – to gain knowledge and develop networks – in order to fast-track my professional career,” he says.
Discover the Global Entrepreneurship Program blog here to read more alumni success stories, testimonials from the current cohort, and expert articles.
Want to hear more stories from International MBA graduates? Access the program blog here and hear from the program community. Student Reviews
Intense courses, helpful professors
I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA.
The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.
Leadership in an amazing city
I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends
A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.
You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.
MSc in Digital Marketing
Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.
Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs
EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.
Emlyon campus in Paris
It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.
Entrepreneurship
Overall good content and good activities.
Lack of administration but still ok.
Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.
Good Reputation and International Business School
The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark.
The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments.
The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources.
Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.
