MYSTORY 屠奕丹 - Accelerating my career and moving abroad – the impact of my Global MBA at EDHEC

An international MBA experience as individual as each participant

With an average of 30 nationalities in groups of 60-70  participants, the EDHEC MBA cohorts are incredibly diverse which makes for learning experiences way beyond academic education. Thanks to this international learning environment, Yidan Tu experienced “teamwork in a global environment;” and gained “communication skills; interesting perspectives and experiences from my fellow MBA students”. As diverse as the participants and their career objectives, as individual the EDHEC experience - indeed, much of EDHEC’s MBA programme can be personalised through:

• Numerous electives from strategic foresight to macro-economics
• Specialisation tracks including a week-long learning expedition
• Tailored MBA projects ranging from research projects, internships or building your own business plan and the possibility to fast-track or to extend the MBA personalised coaching and career advice

For Yidan Tu, “the business trip was the best part in my memory. It combined the learning of ESG topics, interaction with small business entrepreneurs, visits and amazing local food.”

Changing role, industry and country with the help of EDHEC’s career services

The EDHEC Global MBA’s Careers and Corporate Relations department is instrumental in helping MBAs achieve their career goals. EDHEC’s experienced, international career coaches have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by ambitious professionals. Throughout her MBA experience, Yidan Tu had unique opportunities to build her network and gain access to leading companies, industries and career opportunities for example through networking and recruitment events, alumni events and business trips. Upon graduation, she had already secured a role as a project manager at Royal Canin, a global supplier of cat and dog food and a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, in France.

Today, Yidan Tu works in Canada, as an IT project manager for a health regulator. “This role is very different from what I did before my MBA - in terms of function, industry and location, all have changed. Even compared to my first job after the MBA, it was a big shift. I think the MBA has trained me to be a fast learner and be very flexible and adaptable to new challenges.” explains Yidan Tu. In her new role, she leverages many of the skills she acquired during her MBA: “intercultural communication, international team management, resource planning, budgeting, and a general understanding of business and technology. I also gained a lot of confidence and courage through the MBA”

The life-changing impact of EHDEC’s Global MBA

“The EDHEC Global MBA is very intense, full-time programme and I constantly remind myself how much I have achieved within only 10 months” says Yidan Tu. And she has reasons to be proud: “from academic achievements to building an international network and finding job I liked upon graduation… The MBA experience equipped me with a '' I can do it '' attitude which I consider beneficial for my whole life!”.

Once of the most impactful parts of the programme for Yidan Tu was Lead360, EDHEC’s progressive career and leadership development programme designed to help students develop the necessary skills and qualities they will need to drive their career and lead with confidence and conviction in an ever-changing, complex and diverse environment. Reflecting back, she shares that “before the MBA, I had no experience in a management role and thought that leadership is something far away from me. But at EDHEC, I learned that everyone can be a leader, and leadership is not limited to those with a ''manager'' title. Professors Julia Milner and Inge De Clippeleer are brilliant in leadership coaching. I highly recommend their classes to anyone who wants to learn more about leadership.”

Yidan Tu’s advice for future MBAs

When asked what she would recommend future MBAs to make the most of their time in Nice, Yidan Tu says that speaking with alumni is very important to better understand the potential impact of the programme but also to learn about their experience post-MBA : “Be proactive to reach out to your alumni if you have any questions or just want to have a chat. Also, start thinking about your next career move early on to fully leverage the CareerSMART programme. 10 months go by really fast and EDHEC's career service team is always there to help. And last but not least, she recommends “enjoying the sunshine of the stunning Côte d'Azur with your classmates. This is going to be a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will remember and cherish forever.”