Špela Kozamernik reshaped her career path with the support of HEC Paris and its 57,000-strong alumni network
Špela Kozamernik reshaped her career after her MBA at HEC Paris, with a change of location, job role, and scope. Having become fluent in French during her degree, she landed a global leadership position with marketing and advertising firm Proximity BBDO.Špela’s career switch to Paris from Slovenia after her degree was made easier with the help of the HEC Paris alumni network and support systems. 92% of the MBA intake are international students and have access to an alumni network of over 57,000 students worldwide. This means HEC Paris grads have an invaluable resource to leverage when deciding where to build their careers.
Completing her degree with a specialization in entrepreneurship, Špela took on several prominent roles at the university during her degree, becoming president of the MBA Entrepreneurship Club as well as the director of the Technology Club.
Through these extra-curricular experiences, she was able to hone key skills which help her today, and build a professional network that has proved invaluable whilst building her new career in Paris.
How has the HEC Paris MBA opened new career opportunities for you?
There have been a number of changes. I changed the country I was working in from Slovenia to France, I changed the institution I was working for, I changed the scope of my role from regional to global, and I changed the field I’m working in.
I was previously more focused on advertising and marketing strategy, whereas now I deal with much more technical and digital aspects of marketing management. The HEC Paris MBA helped me transition into the more technical areas with a better understanding of the theory behind the roles.
So yes, it has been intense, but a rewarding and transformative experience. I would do it all over again!
How were you supported by the school in starting a new career in Paris?
The HEC Paris alumni body, colleagues and even one of the professors whom I respect tremendously, were more than helpful. With their assistance, I was able to build my professional network, find a mentor and they even recommended me for a number positions. This assistance really helped me to get my foot in the door and start my career in a new country.
What did you learn from being president of the entrepreneurship club?
It really helped me with getting to know the cultural differences among students more profoundly. I now have a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and its benefits.
I currently lead an interdisciplinary international team of experts, which consist of more than 20 nationalities and I still rely on the skills I learned whilst working with the amazing, ambitious, entrepreneurial colleagues of mine.
In the end, it also proved to be a great opportunity to build my professional network. I still keep in touch with the founders and professionals I met while organizing events and conferences for the club.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at HEC Paris?
HEC Paris was my first choice school.
Firstly, I loved the fact that it offered the entrepreneurship specialization. This enabled me to undertake a practical application of the theory all while working with researchers from the most prestigious engineering schools in Paris on their technology transfers.
I was also excited by the school’s top reputation in delivering the best marketing courses. And the length of the program was a perfect fit for what I was looking for.
Student Reviews
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
