Understanding the geopolitical climate will give MBAs an edge in the recruitment process
Given the current mass, global political instability now is good time to launch a public policy degree. And it is no coincidence that with the global political order destabilized by Brexit, the election of US president Donald Trump and the rise of populism across Europe, that HEC Paris, one of the Continent’s top business schools, has done so.HEC Paris has partnered Sciences Po, a leading French political science university, to create a dual MBA and Master of Public Administration.
The two-year program targets business graduates and those who wish to work in public administration or management consulting. It expects to enrol up to 20 students, who start in 2018.
At a time when graduates must navigate through the choppy waters of political change, it is an advantage to show employers that you are not only reactive to policy, but can influence the conversation.
That’s according to HEC Paris associate dean Andrea Masini, who we interviewed below:
Q. Should business schools be doing more to teach students global politics?
We believe so, and it’s obviously not a coincidence that we launched this program at a time of political instability. Businesses are heavily influenced by political decisions. Our students need to have the right tools to understand the evolution of geopolitical contexts. We have on the MBA program a few courses which dive into these topics. These are some of the most popular courses, given the turbulent time we are going through.
Q. Do you think that business schools have operated in silos, teaching marketing and accounting, ect, separately?
HEC is independent, and that gives us the flexibility to integrate courses in a tighter way. Historically business schools and MBA programs have taught accounting, marketing, and operations separately, but you can no longer survive if you do that. We have designed our courses in conjunction with different disciplines. We have tried to break down the walls between disciplines. This teaches our students core skills but also a mind-set; we want them to learn to problem-solve in a broader context.
Q. Is there a need for managers who can work at the interface between both the public and the private sectors?
There’s a very strong need, and it’s coming from consulting companies. Take McKinsey or Bain: They have, sometimes, clients in public administration. When they hire consultants to send to these projects, the consultants need to understand very well the geopolitical context and how businesses can operate within it.
There is also a demand from public administrations that in the past have hired candidates with a background in political science, but now hires candidates who also understand business. Traditional MBA candidates can add additional value to a company if they can demonstrate that they understand the geopolitical context in which they operate.
Q. What benefits will the partnership with Sciences Po bring to the program?
We realized each program had fundamental courses that didn’t have to be duplicated. We optimized the organization of the program; we have not watered down the content or made the curriculum any more intense.
Q. What influence do political systems — and politicians — carry in business?
You clearly see the impact of Brexit on the banking sector; the rumours we hear about banks moving operations from London to Frankfurt or Paris. Clearly, banks are feeling the impact of political decisions on demand for certain services. At a time of political insatiability, in which graduates are having to navigate through turbulent waters, it’s a tremendous advantage to be able to show employers that you are not only reactive to policy, but can influence the conversation.
Q. Who is the program targeting and where do you anticipate they will work thereafter?
It’s targeting two populations: primarily, business graduates or students who want to develop a career in consulting and have a particular interest in projects that deal with regulation and public affairs. The second audience is graduates who want to target public administrations or governmental agencies, but who need to demonstrate that they understand the language of business. The MBA will be the icing on the cake for them; it will enhance their credibility. I expect graduates to be working for the EU, and I expect graduates to work for consulting companies.
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.
