This HEC Paris MBA 'Triple Jumped' Into Private Equity—Here's How
HEC Paris MBA grad Abhisekh Shah successfully carried out the MBA triple jump, switching from CSR to Private Equity
Abhisekh Shah made the triple jump into venture capital after his MBA. He's not alone—more than one-in-three HEC Paris MBAs change role, industry, and location after graduation
To successfully carry out the MBA ‘triple jump’—changing industry, function, and location after graduation—is no easy feat. Yet at HEC Paris, more than one-in-three MBA students do it.
Abhisekh Shah had the MBA triple jump in his sights from the very moment he picked up an HEC Paris brochure at an admissions event.
He starts his new role as a venture capital investment and analytics professional with Blue Future Partners—a private equity firm investing in real estate and technology—in January 2021, and will be making the move from Paris to Munich.
Before landing his new job, Abhisekh was based in India and worked in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability management, but had always dreamed of making the leap into venture capital. An MBA, he realized, was the ideal way to make the career change.
Why HEC Paris?
Before starting his MBA with HEC Paris, Abhisekh carried out detailed research into which school best fit his ambitions.
HEC Paris soon stood out as a launch pad for changing careers. In 2019, 82% of HEC MBA grads changed sectors, 70% changed function, and 64% changed their location.
Even more impressive, Abhisekh says, is that the bulk of grads, 80%, changed two of the three elements, while 39% made the full triple jump.
“HEC Paris was my first choice as it was extremely international and diverse, with a close-knit group of students. It offered me a striking point to jump from.”
Prepping for the MBA Triple Jump
From the get-go, Abhisekh worked on building his network. One of the many reasons for choosing HEC Paris was the school’s collaborative culture; Abhisekh wanted to study in an environment where he could get to know his classmates and build tight bonds.
An opportunity to cement these connections was through extracurricular activities. “From day one, I immersed myself in activities relevant to private equity,” he says. He became an active member of the MBA’s Entrepreneurship and Private Equity/Venture Capital clubs, attending events and networking with the clubs’ speakers, as well as with like-minded peers inside and outside of HEC Paris.
He was later elected president of the HEC Paris MBA Entrepreneurship Club. The club organized pitching competitions and networked with entrepreneurs and business innovators. Through the club’s activities, Abhisekh established a strong connection with Station F, the world’s largest startup incubator. There was also a plan for a career trek to Berlin, but the company visits had to pivot to online-only events due to COVID.
Another aspect of HEC Paris that helped him realize his goal, he says, was the flexibility of the curriculum. He chose electives heavy on finance to prepare him for the jump.
Although COVID-19 has impacted face-to-face networking opportunities, Abhisekh was able to use his online connections to find two internships.
Just five months into his MBA, he secured his first internship with Creator Fund, a UK-based venture capital firm. Student by day, intern by night, Abhisekh was able to leverage his connections at Station F to source several startups from the French ecosystem for his UK employer.
During summer break —the more traditional time for MBA internships —Abhisekh began working with Blue Future Partners at their Munich headquarters. That internship led to a job offer, and a permanent role with the company.
“The internship gave me a good overview of the practical application of my education,” he says.
As a full-time employee at Blue Future Partners, he will be joining the global deal team responsible for making investments. Additionally, he will work to supplement the company’s decision-making processes by implementing an intelligent data-based solution.
Changing Careers
MBA students at HEC Paris get personalized career support, with access to one-on-one career coaching sessions as well as recruitment events and career treks.
300 companies attend the annual career fairs and meetups organized on campus and 50% of grads find jobs through the careers service. In 2019, 92% of MBA grads were employed three months after graduation.
“If you want to change your industry, you will need to do a lot of preparation. You need to do the work to show you’re motivated,” Abhisekh notes.
At HEC Paris, Abhisekh learned to navigate the European startup ecosystem. He saw what a rollercoaster life entrepreneurs have and that he could work with them through investments. He knows the skills he developed during his MBA—teamwork, strategy, analysis and others—will help him adapt to his new role.
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.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
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.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
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.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
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.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
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.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
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.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
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.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
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!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
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.
Student
Verified
7/07/2022
On Campus
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.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
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.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
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.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
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.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
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.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
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.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
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.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
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!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
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.
