[coachgmat]

Dasi,
Lets coordinate once you get your admit at HEC. Choose IE over ESADE for consultancy.

You can coordinate with me on my gmail id which is same as this.

We could have a more personalized discussion there.

[itsrahul]

While I agree with most of the things coachgmat has said, there are some things I would differ.

1. The point about knowing an extra language is very subjective. Knowing a language, according to me, means being able to at least do a basic conversation in that language. Spending 16 months at HEC will not improve your language unless you really spend efforts at it. A lot of my fellow HEC classmates are not able to carry out a basic conversation in French even after finishing the MBA. So, while there is an opportunity to learn a new language, it is also quite challenging.

2. HEC is not in Paris; the school is in outskirts of Paris, about 20-25 kms away from central Paris.

Originally Posted by coachgmat

You will definitely need to learn French but during the 16 months, French is not a mandate, you pick it up along the way. and that's beautiful because by the time u r out, you know an extra language which takes u so many notches higher.

(vi) The experience of studying in Paris is an all time high. Fontainbleau is 60 miles south of Paris. We used to look forward to go to Paris as and when we could. Have roamed all over the world, but Paris offers u something 2nd to none. and HEC is in Paris. Vola :xmas:

[coachgmat]

Thanks.

May be you can also help people decide on HEC or not.

[azmodeuus]

Hi Rahul,

Given your personal experience, would be great if you could share your thoughts on HEC specifically in terms of career opportunities (how good is the placement cell), life@HEC and career prospects for Indians wanting to work for a few years in Europe.

I would largely be looking at a marketing career in the CPG industry.

Originally Posted by itsrahul

While I agree with most of the things coachgmat has said, there are some things I would differ.

1. The point about knowing an extra language is very subjective. Knowing a language, according to me, means being able to at least do a basic conversation in that language. Spending 16 months at HEC will not improve your language unless you really spend efforts at it. A lot of my fellow HEC classmates are not able to carry out a basic conversation in French even after finishing the MBA. So, while there is an opportunity to learn a new language, it is also quite challenging.

2. HEC is not in Paris; the school is in outskirts of Paris, about 20-25 kms away from central Paris.

[itsrahul]

Originally Posted by azmodeuus

Hi Rahul,

Given your personal experience, would be great if you could share your thoughts on HEC specifically in terms of career opportunities (how good is the placement cell), life@HEC and career prospects for Indians wanting to work for a few years in Europe.

I would largely be looking at a marketing career in the CPG industry.

I've written a post which could answer your queries. You can read it here

@Coachgmat - it would be great if you could provide your comments/views so that people get a wider and more balanced perspective.

[NOTHING1954]

Rahul,
Thanks for your comments on career opportunities post-MBA.
I have read your blog also.
It says in France and in Western-Europe, HEC is a good brand and each person is incharge of his own career. While this is true and as you said 'subjective', it will be helpful, if you can give some specific info regarding career possibilities (I would presume you have much more concrete info about the career outcomes for Indians from the previous batch); for example from the previous batch what% of Indians have found jobs 3 months after graduation and how many had to go back to India looking for a job?
If you can kindly give info of this kind, all the potential appplicants will be greatful.

I came to know just now that a recent MBA graduate from one of the top-10 global and top-3 European schools came back to India 2 months ago and still hunting around for a job.
If the situation is some what similar at HEC, you would be doing a great service to the potential applicants by making the situation clear.
I hope you will.

Thanks

[itsrahul]

I don't usually give out statistics because numbers don't always tell the true story. But if you want it, here you go.

For the batch of Sep 2007 (which finished classes in Dec 2008 ), close to 30% people have found jobs so far. As of now, no one has returned to India (jobless) because almost everyone is doing long-term internship in Paris.

Mind you, this year has been very bad for recruitment, even in top 10 schools. So what has happened this year should not be considered as a general trend. In general, 60-70% Indians find jobs by the time they finish their classes at HEC.

Originally Posted by NOTHING1954

Rahul,
Thanks for your comments on career opportunities post-MBA.
I have read your blog also.
It says in France and in Western-Europe, HEC is a good brand and each person is incharge of his own career. While this is true and as you said 'subjective', it will be helpful, if you can give some specific info regarding career possibilities (I would presume you have much more concrete info about the career outcomes for Indians from the previous batch); for example from the previous batch what% of Indians have found jobs 3 months after graduation and how many had to go back to India looking for a job?
If you can kindly give info of this kind, all the potential appplicants will be greatful.

I came to know just now that a recent MBA graduate from one of the top-10 global and top-3 European schools came back to India 2 months ago and still hunting around for a job.
If the situation is some what similar at HEC, you would be doing a great service to the potential applicants by making the situation clear.
I hope you will.

Thanks

[NOTHING1954]

itsrahul,
Thanks a lot for sharing the statistics. Surely, stattistics don't tell the full story and each individual situation is different; but it does give a a more fine grained understanding of the ground reality.
Once again thanks a lot.

[itsrahul]

I think this point about 3 months from graduation needs some clarifications. It will be easier with an example. HEC has two intakes - Sep and Jan. Let us talk about the class of 2009. Sep 2007 intake finished classes in Dec 2008 and Jan 2008 intake will finish classes in April 2009. But both these batches graduate together in June 2009. So 3 months from graduation would be September 2009. Most of the people will be employed by this point! I hope you get my point..

Originally Posted by NOTHING1954

Rahul,
what% of Indians have found jobs 3 months after graduation
Thanks

[NOTHING1954]

yes; thank you.
But I would think since most of the schools have only one intake in an year, what they mean by 3-months after graduation is, 3 months after the completion of the programme and not necessarily when they get their degree.
I would think the measures i.e. % who have been offfered/ accepted a job by the the last date- by the date the students have succefully completed the programme and 3- months after completion would make much more sense; three months is a reasonable period to be unemployed and looking around. Any thing beyond would mean, life is tough.
Thanks for the clarification.

Rahul, you mentioned that most of them ared doing internship in Paris; is it part of the MBA or is it a sort of OPT, post completion, where they can stay back and look around for a regular job and meanwhile do some internship in a company at a relatively low pay?

It will be nice if you can clarify.
Thanks