In the midst of fintech’s growth, Wirecard is one of the biggest players. It’s one of the world’s biggest online payment transaction services, catering to over 280,000 companies around the world, with transactions totalling $125 billion in 2018 alone.
As a Wirecard project manager, Veronica Melendez is working to maintain professional services for some of the world’s biggest fintech brands, including Revolut, Funding Circle, and WeChat Pay.
It’s her dream job, in an industry she’d always aspired to work in. Deciding to do an MBA and change her career direction will be a transaction she won’t forget quickly.
Discovering a passion for fintech
El Salvador, where she grew up, seems like a world away for Veronica. She studied her bachelor’s there, and was working as a financial analyst, before winning a scholarship to study a master’s in finance in Valencia in Spain.
After various roles in finance, Veronica ended up working the payments division at airline Avianca. She had found a niche—in fintech and payments—that she was eager to pursue further.
“To pursue it, I knew my finance background would be helpful, but it wasn’t enough,” Veronica remembers. With her mind set on that industry, she went about expanding her knowledge of business and building her profile the best way she knew—through applying for an MBA.
The MBA at emlyon business school stood out for a few reasons. She already knew French, she was keen to establish herself in Europe, and she liked the diversity of the program there.
But it was the ‘early makers’ philosophy at the school which stood out to her. She wanted her business career to be innovation-led and transformative.
Advancing her strategic skills
Veronica had in mind several areas of her business profile that she wanted to develop.
Firstly, strategy. While finance was her area of expertise, she knew that, to have an impact in business, she needed to be able to view a business from a wider, more strategical approach.
Key to developing this was the specialization track in international strategy and multinational enterprises, which is one of nine tracks on offer to MBA students at emlyon.
“It helped me open my mind and see that, through strategy, you can analyse a company from different perspectives, and you have a lot of different tools,” she remembers.
The international emphasis, meanwhile, meant that she began to see how global businesses had to shape their strategy from a variety of world perspectives. Given the far reach of her current employer, this has been invaluable.
The international strategy track even took her abroad on several occasions. One was a semester exchange to Lancaster University in the UK; another was a trip to a business school in Finland, where she saw how the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem had innovated the economy after the near collapse of Nokia.
“I was not only looking at how things worked in a specific country, but how we can see it from the perspective of the rest of the world,” she explains.
Getting practical experience
But broadening her skill set and knowledge base wasn’t enough—Veronica was keen to prove herself in the actual world of work. During the MBA, she got the opportunity to work on an eight-month consultancy project at BioMerieux, a pharmaceutical giant based in Lyon. It was an industry she knew little about, and it was her first job based in France, and so felt like an opportunity to get to grips with the local and European market.
For Veronica, this really stood out for the way that it applied and transformed her new skills in real scenarios. Her project was based around performance assessment in the HR department at the company, and while by no means a pharmaceutical expert, she confidently applied her previous experience and what she had learned on the MBA.
“It was certainly one of the most affirmative experiences we had.”
A fresh challenge
Wirecard is a new challenge for Veronica. At the time of speaking, she has only been at the company for a month. She’s still getting settled in Munich, Germany, where the company is based, and is beginning to learn the language.
But more than that, she’s still on a high from having landed a dream job in her industry of choice. She has her MBA to thank for that, but even more for the impact it’s had on her overall.
“The biggest impact is learning about yourself—how you react to different situations that you might not have been exposed to, and to unlearn things you’ve been told before,” she insists, “It helps you to grow not just as a professional, but also as a person.”
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.
Student
Verified
18/03/2023
On Campus
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
Student
Verified
23/11/2021
On Campus
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.
Fabian
Verified
7/06/2020
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.
Student
Verified
14/10/2018
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.
Student
Verified
9/06/2020
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.
Student
Verified
21/11/2022
On Campus
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.
Student
Verified
25/05/2020
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.
Edel
Verified
11/07/2024
On Campus
MSc International Hospitality Management
The best educational experience of my life so far!
It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.
Student
Verified
11/07/2024
On Campus
Real networking opportunities
- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school.
- going abroad to study luxury
- being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM)
- having such a great professional core
Daphné
Verified
14/07/2024
On Campus
white baccalaureate in the world of work
I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.
Student
Verified
11/09/2024
On Campus
Great
Pretty great !
Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.
Student
Verified
6/02/2025
On Campus
Emlyon makes us confident!
Since I got into emlyon business school in September 2024, I’ve had many occasions to discover various subjects, but also to gain confidence and strength in several fields. Our « ADN » classes involve active participation and teamwork which enlighten our everyday life here in Lyon.
Teachers are welcoming and available, classes are dispensed in small rooms, all of this turning our studies into a real life experience.
As a top business school in France and in Europe, rest assured that this programme will take you to places you never had the chance to go to.
Student
Verified
7/02/2025
On Campus
Worldwide School
If you're looking for a school with an international perspective, emlyon is the place to be. Academic exchange and double-degree opportunities are widely varied around the globe, and the school has 4 international campuses.
Jeremy
Verified
7/02/2025
On Campus
Warm welcome
emlyon is one of France's top business schools, offering a wide range of programs and masters degrees that allow students from all backgrounds to perfect their skills. Students are very friendly and student life is dynamic with 42 associations (art, culture, finance...). With the inauguration of its new campus, the school also offers students a highly advantageous working environment right in the heart of Lyon.
Student
Verified
6/02/2025
On Campus
Experience at emlyon
My experience in emlyon business school was nothing but fantastic. The professors are very knowledgeable and helpful and are the best in the field to guide you to build your future self. The campus life is also really great and you get to meet amazing people!
Jenny
Verified
6/02/2025
On Campus
A Global and Data-driven Learning Experience
As an international student from Taiwan, currently studying Digital Marketing & Data Science at Emlyon Business School's Paris campus, my experience has been both challenging and rewarding.
1. Academics & Curriculum
The program is highly data-driven, integrating real-world marketing strategies with technical skills like Python, SQL, and machine learning. Professors bring industry expertise and often collaborate with companies, making classes interactive and practical.
2. Campus & Student Life
The Paris campus is a great location for networking, surrounded by top companies and start-up ecosystems. There are plenty of career events, hackathons, and networking opportunities, which have helped me connect with professionals in my field.
3. International Student Experience
Coming from Taiwan, Emlyon provides a diverse and global environment. The school supports international students well, but navigating administrative processes (like visas and housing) can sometimes be challenging. However, the student community is welcoming, and there are many activities and student initiatives to engage with.
4. Overall Impression
I think Emlyon is a great choice for students looking for an innovative, hands-on learning experience in business and technology. While some courses could benefit from even more structure, the real-world projects, industry collaborations, and international environment make it a strong business school for aspiring digital professionals.
Ambrine
Verified
7/02/2025
On Campus
Very Good Program and Life-Changing Opportunities
I was truly delighted with my program as it provided me with valuable knowledge and skills. The campus is outstanding, offering an inspiring and welcoming environment for students. Moreover, my program opened up new professional opportunities that I would never have been able to access without completing this Master's degree in Strategy in International Business Development (in partnership with CentraleSupélec). I highly recommend this school to anyone seeking a transformative academic experience!
Nelia
Verified
7/02/2025
On Campus
BBA1 EM Lyon business school
This is my first year at EM Lyon and one of the first factors that makes me love my school is its campus. The location, the layout of the premises, the exteriors... all the facilities are functional and largely allow students to flourish in their studies (very large library, individual and collaborative workspaces, fully equipped rooms that can be booked, catering and relaxation areas, roof... everything is there!) Also, what I particularly appreciate is the format of the courses which combines practice with theory. My program is intended to be very professionalizing, so we have courses and modules that put us in real situations, the professors and external speakers are for the most part people in professional activities in companies which allows us to benefit from concrete illustrations and notable anecdotes. The classes are not very numerous, offering us an opportunity for interaction and group work. In addition to the courses, the school has many very advantageous partnerships for internships and academic exchanges. In addition, the school offers many conferences and workshops at the Makerslab that allow us to educate ourselves and learn new things. Finally, my program is internationally oriented and that is one of the reasons why I chose it: internships and academic exchange abroad. Finally, student life is a real added value for us since the associative life occupies a preponderant place in our course due to the variety of associations, the premises that are reserved but especially the budget that is allocated.
Jeanne
Verified
7/02/2025
On Campus
Makers Spirit
Emlyon business school is a incredible university, i've been able to learn a lot of informations, and making contacts and meet a lot of people. The courses are very interesting and i'm looking foward to earn more experiences (academic or professional).This school gave me huge opportunities and still do, I intend to take them and use them, this school change my life, and me as a character. I want to make it known to as many people as possible, and grow the makers spirit!
Student
Verified
7/02/2025
On Campus
Digital Marketing and Data Science
Courses are practical, and the program is intensive. We have so many tasks need to fulfill. I love the school provide many career and alumni resources. And also give us many opportunities to approach to different fields.
Student
Verified
7/02/2025
On Campus
Current Student
Likes:
abundant resources
the network of alumni is really healpful
wonderful location (center Paris)
a lot of interesting lectures and company visits
the school opens until 2200, great for studying
Dislike:
not enough spaces to study
some study rooms are toooooo cold
some classrooms have limited access to charge and the air is stagnant
Maude
Verified
8/02/2025
On Campus
Stepping Into the World of Data
I come from a business background, and I stumbled upon Python a few years ago almost by accident. I found myself spending hours debugging code, completely losing track of time. It was as if a new world had quietly unfolded before me, one I hadn’t even realized I was searching for.
But without a scientific background, I felt behind. We tend to put ourselves in boxes, believing certain paths are out of reach. This master’s program proved otherwise. It gave someone like me with a non-technical foundation a chance, it opened the door to data and analytics.
Yes, it’s a challenge. The curriculum is intense, and the learning curve is steep, but the support from professors and peers makes all the difference. The hands-on projects, the balance between theory and application, and the exposure to real-world case studies ensure that learning isn’t just theoretical: it’s practical and impactful. I’ve worked on diverse datasets, from images to audio, passing through the more familiar tabular data, and every project pushes me to think critically and experiment confidently.
One of the standout aspects of this master’s is the collaborative environment. My classmates come from different backgrounds; engineering, business, social sciences, and that diversity makes discussions richer and group work more dynamic.
Slowly but surely, I’m bridging the gap between curiosity and expertise. If you're drawn to data, AI, and the power of code, this master’s might be the door you’ve been waiting to walk through.
The question is: Are you ready to take that leap?