MBA in Europe than working in Asia?

Question

Hello.

I am looking for MBA programs which can provide a job placement in Asia (Singapore or Hong kong).

I am very interested in HEC, Essec, SDA bocconi, but as I read disappointing opinions about the career service of these schools, I am very confused whether I should apply.

My intention for MBA is getting better perspectives in Luxury goods marketing, so I chose these schools, but as I am a French or Italian speaker(I am Korean), I guess that I will hardly get a chance of working in Europe(especially I don't hold EU residence & overall economy is really bad). Also I want to look for good schools in London which can provide me a solid programs. (I want to attend school in 2013, so it seems that applying US MBA is late.)

Because I want to work in Asia after MBA, some people recommend that I better to apply in schools in Asia, such as NUS, HKUST.

Here are my questions:
1. Career service of schools: HEC/SDA bocconi/Essec
2.Any recommandation for Asian MBA schools & London schools for Brand marketing?
3.How is the reputation of these schools among recruiters? (How active is Campus recruitment of these schools?)

Please, Please help me out for these issues. Any opinion would be very helpful!!

I will appreciate for your contribution.

YJ

wouldbecrazy · Answer

Singapore got 3 well known schools : NUS, NTU and SMU.

HK got atleast 2/3 well known school such as Chinese, City and Tech.

Generally there are plenty of jobs but not sure of any specialised job and definitely not many middle or senior level jobs.

MBACandidate2013 · Answer

Hello HJ,
I am a current student of the global MBA at ESSEC Business School and I can give you my perspective about the career services and the opportunities of job in Asia.

Among the schools that you mentioned, I think that ESSEC would bring you more opportunities in Asia because its presence in Singapore. During the global MBA, all the students have to spend one academic term in Singapore, where you have the opportunity network with the Asian companies. Furthermore, ESSEC is very well-known in the Luxury industry and I am sure that every French luxury company knows about the quality of the school.

As we are a small class (maximum of 40 students), the career services are quite personalized and start to work with you since the first week of the program. The career development is very dynamic; we have different kind of career activities every week such as building our elevator-pitch, developing our self-confidence while we speak through singing lessons in French, mentoring program with a senior professionals in the industry of your interest, preparation of our CV and cover letters, video CV, company treks, career fairs, etc. If you want more details about the career services offered by ESSEC, please do not hesitate to contact me through this forum.

I hope that this information help you in your decision.
Leo

lovelygolden · Answer

Hi YJ,

hope my respond is not too late for you as I think the admission cycle for Sept intake is almost finished...

I think that make sense for you to consider an MBA in Hong Kong, Singapore, and perhaps Shanghai... here are what I think there pros and cons.

Singapore : The center for South East Asia, you will easily see wealthy people spending money for high end products and services from countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. However, as the Singaporean dollar keeps appreciating, and the tax structure, it casts doubt about the competitiveness for luxury market
 
Shanghai : The more westernized city in China. Most luxury brands have show rooms and business presence in Shanghai. However, due to heavy duty and restriction on imports, most of the luxury stores serve as “show room” but the real purchases occur in Hong Kong. It would be tough to find jobs if you do not speak any Chinese. 
 
Hong Kong : Always the freest port in Asia, therefore you will see HK becoming the centre of trade and distribution for almost any kind of consumer products (be it luxury or not). A lot of people in the region (including those from Japan and Korea) with will come to Hong Kong for their real purchase. Hence almost all luxury brands build their Asia Business HQ in Hong Kong. I realize there would be at least a few thousands of French and Italian professional working in the areas of quality food, fashion, cosmetics, lifestyle products, high end kitchenware, and furniture as well as luxury brands in Hong Kong. I read a report recently that 25% of global export of high end watches from Switzerland goes to Hong Kong, of course, they are not catering for the people of Hong Kong, but shoppers from around the world.

Hope that would give you more information.

MBAbot · Answer

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MBA in Europe than working in Asia?

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