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| FROM HEC Paris Admissions Blog1: Alexander Eldred Uses his MBA to Make a Triple Jump |
 Alexander Eldred, Class of 2016 Alexander Eldred (MBA ’16) is no stranger to creating new opportunities. Upon earning his undergraduate degree, the American moved to China pursue a career in global food exports with a startup, learning to speak Chinese on the job. After completing his MBA at HEC Paris, he underwent a complete career transformation, changing job sector, function and location. We asked Alexander how a German Literature and Biochemistry undergraduate was able to leverage an MBA degree to become the Head of After-Market Services at Amazon France. What does your job at Amazon France entail? I deal with all of the customers’ returns that come back in a damaged condition. My challenge is to continuously improve the customer experience, and at the same time maximize the value we get from these returned products. Why an MBA? Everything I had ever done professionally until the MBA I had learned on the job, so I was looking for a more academic understanding of these tasks. I wanted to know how to read a balance sheet; I wanted the basics of accounting, the basics of marketing. I thought that having these skills could really help me solidify my career, and they did. You’ve mentioned only hard skills. What about the soft skills you learned during the MBA? Amazon is a very data-driven environment. The core MBA classes such as finance, accounting—even marketing—are very data-driven, and they help me to operate effectively in that type of environment. Even so, data interpretation is only worthwhile if you can communicate your findings to other people. I deal with the whole spectrum of the workforce at Amazon France, from folks in our warehouses to senior leaders. Every day, I apply the communication skills that I learned during my MBA. The school also provides a safe environment to try out different leadership styles. You simply don’t have a whole lot of flexibility to experiment with leadership when you’re on the job, and HEC offers plenty of chances to test yourself. Part of what the school builds is confidence—the confidence to navigate new places, in new languages, with new people. We like to talk about our 92 percent international students. What did you learn from having such an international classroom? In almost every class at the HEC Paris MBA you have to stand in front of other students and defend your interpretation of things. It’s a great way to learn public speaking. Moreover, there would usually be 6 other groups presenting and interpreting the same cases. Very quickly, you learn that there are multiple valid opinions on the same subject. One case study I particularly remember asked if L’Occitaine en Provence, the French cosmetics company, should expand into the lifestyle segment by opening up cafés. My group, which was mainly made up of North Americans, concluded no. Yet a group of Europeans, and students from India and from China, came up with a completely opposite approach, one which was equally valid. For me, that really emphasized how important it is to learn alongside a diverse group of students. Did the MBA help open the door to Amazon as well? There is no way I would have had my job at Amazon without the MBA. Europe and France, like any other job markets in the world, aren’t necessarily open—you can’t just breeze in from another continent and easily get a job. Doing my MBA in France was part of an overall strategic goal to get a foot in the door in the country. It worked out great. Is there anything else you would like to add? One piece of advice I have for current students is to not be shy about asking for help. If you’re curious about what an alumnus is doing, look them up on LinkedIn. Spend a lot of time going to HEC Paris Alumni Association events. Introduce yourself. If you’re looking for a job, let us know if we can help. I’m always happy to help current students, because so many people did it for me when I was in the program. It’s why I like to come out to the campus, to say hello every once in a while. The post Alexander Eldred Uses his MBA to Make a Triple Jump appeared first on HEC MBA Blog. |
10 May 2017, 02:01
| FROM HEC Paris Admissions Blog1: Students Share their Favorite Places in Paris |
It’s one thing to visit Paris as a tourist, as nearly 15 million people do every year. But the real magic happens when you have the time to simply inhabit the city, to meander its side streets and find the places normally reserved for in-the-know Parisians. To help fuel your wanderlust for the 2,000-year-old French capital, we’ve asked a few HEC Paris MBA students to share their favorite outposts, discovered during their 16-month-long studies in France: Bibliotheque Mazarine, photo by Ysabella Poblete Best place to study: Bibliothèque Mazarine, 23 Quai de Conti, 6th Arrondisement History: Originating from the private collection of Cardinal Mazarin, France’s oldest public library is known for saving many of the books confiscated during the French Revolution. The grand reading room dates from the 17th-century, when it was designed by King Louis XIV’s preferred architect, Louis Le Vau. When: Weekdays before or during exam weeks Recommended by Ysabella Poblete, MBA ’18: “The library is well lit from its gilded lamps, massive windows, and imposing chandeliers. The classic wooden chairs and tables are so comfortable you won’t notice that you’ve been sitting there for hours. Not to mention the WIFI is ultrafast and reliable. The library is located near Rue de Seine, which houses charming cafés and art galleries giving you the perfect place to wander aimlessly if you need a break from studying.” Favorite Garden: Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue de Médicis, 6th Arrondisement History: These well-manicured, 25 hectares of land, commissioned by Queen Marie de Medici in 1612, feature classically styled English and French gardens, a geometric forest, and an orchard with nearly forgotten varieties of apples.  Jardin du Luxembourg When: Year-round Recommended by Intan Elfarani, MBA ’18: “I love the setting, because in Jakarta, there aren’t any big and beautiful spaces like this. The first time I sat in one of the benches in front of Luxembourg Palace was in the winter, and parts of the park were still green. It was so good for my eyes. Now with the sunny weather, the park is really beautiful. My French is super-basic, but occasionally I’ll speak with the older ladies walking their dogs. They are always really nice. Paris is great, because there are so many different cultures of people.”  Ege and Emre from 5 Pailles, photo by Melinda Aulie Coffee shop: 5 Pailles, 79 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 10th Arrondisement History: Though it opened at the beginning of 2017, Vogue has already named this coffeehouse one of the “New Paris Spots to Check Out.” The magazine heralded its “curated interior design, fresh fragrant beans and perfect latte art.” When: Late-afternoon gouter Recommended by Melinda Aulie, MBA ’18: “It’s more than the delicious lattés or the rosemary-orange tea cake. Owners Ege and Emre have created a home away from home for me in Paris. The shop’s pastry selection is incredible—they are always introducing new ones—but I prefer the chocolate chip cookies, which are as good as the ones you can get in the United States.” Wine Bar: L’Arrière Cour, 9 Rue Biot, 17th Arrondisement History: In the three months since its opening, L’Arrière Cour has earned a reputation for its yummy cocktails and wide selection of wines. To accompany drinks such as the Pop Colada (rum infused with popcorn, vanilla liqueur, crème of coco and pineapple juice), chef Raphael Garnier has created a menu which features mini plates such as sea-bream ceviche and squid stuffed with mushrooms and pine nuts.  L’Arrière Cour When: You need a break from the hustle and bustle of Paris Recommended by Martin Dion, MBA ’17: “Secreted away at the end of a courtyard on rue Biot, L’Arriére Cour is one of the 17th arrondissement’s best finds. Its entrance is hidden—to enter, you must go through a porte cochère (carriage entrance). A candle-lit path leads to this charming, quiet space which features a fountain, a winter garden and plenty of creative cocktails and appetizers. If you go, ask for François or Félicien, and tell them Martin sent you.” Favorite exhibit: 5th floor of the Musée d’Orsay, 1 Rue de la Lègion d’Honneur, 7th Arrondisement  Nina de Callias by Édouard Manet History: When Impressionism emerged as an art movement in the late 19Th century, the French critics scoffed at it. “A wallpaper pattern is more highly finished than this seascape,” was one critique of Claude Monet’s early work Sunrise (1874). When: With friends Recommended by Allison Scott, MBA ’17: “I went to the Musée d’Orsay when I was 18, during my first visit to Paris. It’s still my favorite museum, partially because of the building’s beautiful architecture and natural light. Every time I have friends in town, I take them to the Fifth Floor to see the Impressionist paintings. At the end, we’ll always guess which ones are the other’s favorites. There is a painting that I love there, by Manet, of a pale lady with dark hair and dark eyes lounging on a sofa. Her face is amazing; I could look at it for hours.” The post Students Share their Favorite Places in Paris appeared first on HEC MBA Blog. |
18 May 2017, 11:29
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