Interview with Andreas Stott, ESSEC Global BBA Year 4 student

ESSEC Global BBA student Andreas Stott is currently at Tongji University in Shanghai for his Double Degree. We spoke with him to find out more about his experience in the program thus far.

Could you tell us more about yourself?

I am 21 years old, French and German. I come from the West of France, and am currently in the 4th year of the Global BBA at ESSEC.

Why did you choose to study at ESSEC and what did you like about it?

When I was looking for a program, I found out that ESSEC was ranked among the best European business schools, accredited by key accreditation boards, and had a faculty with rich experience in teaching. I thus felt that I could really put my trust in ESSEC. It is a very international school, with 133 university partners around the world for international exchange. I also liked that we could accumulate a substantial amount of work experience while studying, and that we would be able to study in at least 3 countries across the 4 years.

How would you describe your ESSEC experience in the BBA program?

For me, the ESSEC experience has been about learning by discovering, with a practical approach that prepares us well for integration into the professional world upon graduation. There are also many meetings organized for students that allow us to get to know other students at ESSEC. We have also had the chance to meet with professionals from leading companies during the on-campus job fairs that are organized several times during the year. Meeting both alumni and these professionals has really been a privilege for me.

Which exchange programs, or what international experiences have you had or are currently taking part in as part of the BBA program in ESSEC? How have these experiences influenced you?

My first international experience was the 6-month exchange program at ESSEC Asia-Pacific in Singapore. It was my first time in Asia, and with Singapore being a melting pot of cultures, the experience allowed me to discover different cultures and travel around Southeast Asia to discover this part of the world. Through these experiences, I have been able to meet people coming from many different backgrounds, discovering new cultures and ways of thinking, as this was a part of the world which I was unfamiliar with previously.

I then did a 6-month internship in Singapore as an Associate Account Manager for a French Art Gallery which sells limited edition photos. This role entailed a wider scope of responsibilities, and allowed me to understand how doing business in another part of the world can be different and to learn to work in a multi-cultural team with people from Singapore, France and Cambodia.

Lastly, I am currently in Shanghai for my Double Degree, facing a new challenge: to learn Chinese. By the end of this semester, I will be graduating with degrees from ESSEC and Tongji. The time in China has been a very different experience; I have learnt how to adapt to the environment around me through taking time to understand the way people think and work, and I appreciate this new challenge of having to work on my Chinese skills.

What is your best memory of your time in the program thus far?

The best memory of my time in the program was when I returned to Singapore to do my internship, working as an Associate Account Manager. Through the internship, I had the opportunity to  meet clients and represent the company. I derived great satisfaction from being able to meet my customers’ expectations, close deals, and garner good feedback from clients and supervisor. It was the first time I had such an experience, and it was a very valuable one for me.

How has your education at ESSEC in the BBA program helped you in terms of career development?

During the program, I have also had the chance to do an internship at Adecco in France as an Associate Recruiter. My second internship in Singapore was focused on corporates sales, closing deals, negotiating and engaging prospects, in contrast to my first internship in France which was rather focused on recruitment and client support. It was a very valuable experience being able to do my internship overseas to be able to understand the market better, especially as I am planning to pursue my career in Singapore.

I appreciate that the school has helped us to learn how to take the initiative and create opportunities for ourselves. For me, the learning process is composed of new experiences and not only academic lectures. We have been encouraged to take a step forward and launch new projects through business games and entrepreneurship projects. I believe that learning to think out of the box will be a very important skill for us when we enter the job market.

In terms of the networks, there is a large network of ESSEC graduates, and this really helps us when we are finding our internships and first job after graduating.

Could you describe the school atmosphere?

International with a focus on teamwork.

What advice would you give to current students?

Try to meet as many people as possible during the program, as it is always good to have a strong network of connections. I would recommend choosing your internship carefully, as it will likely determine where you will start your career later. Don’t be afraid to go far, go overseas or to try something new. Maximize your time in the program and get involved in projects as much as possible, and try to travel and see the world as much as possible during your exchange program.