Learn how Hillary Batchelder’s Full-time MBA at ESMT Berlin helped her make a career pivot from media tech to landing a job at Microsoft Germany, and later at Transparity. Discover how this program helped her build confidence, gain global experience, and secure career opportunities at leading companies.
Hillary Batchelder is an ESMT Berlin alumna and Full-time MBA graduate. She offers a compelling example of how an MBA program can transform your professional life.
Originally from New Jersey, USA, Hillary had a strong background in Media Tech as an ad sales representative. She worked for six years in the industry. Ultimately, she decided that she wanted a career change. Berlin’s energetic atmosphere and ESMT Berlin’s comprehensive Full-time MBA program attracted her.
Through her MBA journey, she built self-confidence, learned a new language, moved to London, and achieved new career milestones at Microsoft and beyond.
ESMT Berlin is a hub for innovation and leadership. ESMT Berlin ranked #3 in Germany and #80 in the world in the Financial Times Business School Rankings MBA 2025. It is one of the few German business schools to consistently rank among top schools in international rankings.
Berlin, Germany offers unparalleled access to a thriving business environment and a dynamic startup ecosystem.
Hillary reflects, “For me, there was really only one MBA that I wanted to pursue and that was [at] ESMT Berlin. Why? It was in Berlin, a city that I wanted to live in.” (00:26)
What truly distinguishes ESMT Berlin is its focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. It takes an active, hands-on learning approach to teaching innovation. The school cultivates strong relationships with leading global companies, investors, and research institutions. This provides students with invaluable networking opportunities and real-world exposure.
The school is a melting pot of cultures, offering a strong foundation for peer learning. With 1,048 students representing 95 countries, ESMT Berlin fosters a truly diverse learning environment.
These combined factors create a top-notch study experience. Students graduate well-prepared for an interconnected, hybrid, and sustainability-focused future.
The Full-time MBA program at ESMT Berlin is an intensive 15-month program taught in English. It takes place in person at the Berlin campus. The program strongly focuses on management, empowering students to become future leaders and managers.
Additionally, students can tailor their learning experience to fit their career goals with specializations. Two specialization tracks are available: ‘Managerial Analytics’ and ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’. Students can further personalize their education through electives, studying at a partner school, completing an internship, or studying German.
She reflects, “I saw it as a really nice stopping point for me to take some time. [To] reflect, gain some new skills, and then apply them right back into [work].” (00:37)
For Hillary, the intensive and compact learning experience was ideal. The MBA offered her the practical tools and know-how to achieve new career milestones and advance in her future roles.
Experiential learning is a key pillar of ESMT Berlin’s Full-time MBA program. Students can participate in internships and tackle real-world consulting projects.
Hillary reflects, “I did an internship at Deloitte Digital Ventures, focusing on entrepreneurship. [And] they have this tech startup hub. That’s something I got exposed to, which was really exciting,” says Hillary. (01:00)
A stand-out moment in her MBA journey was an insightful field trip to Munich. This experience exposed her to a wide range of multinational organizations, including Microsoft Germany.
Hillary highlights, “It was a great way to challenge my own understanding of what I wanted out of my next steps beyond ESMT Berlin.” (01:21)
Little did she know that in a few years, she would be joining their team.
After completing her MBA, Hillary ended up working at Microsoft. She initially worked in Germany, gaining valuable experience in a new market. Later, she made a strategic move to London, UK, further expanding her global reach.
“Take chances, take bets on yourself. [That’s why] I pursued kind of the weirder option, which was to go to London. I’m so happy that I did,” she shares. (01:59)
This bold choice shows the risk-taking and strategic thinking that Hillary learned during her MBA at ESMT Berlin.
The MBA experience had a profound impact on Hillary’s self-confidence. She was able to let go of limiting beliefs and take opportunities to push herself toward growth and advancement.
She affirms, “All of these things that I wouldn’t have thought would be possible, became possible.” (02:29)
Hillary’s MBA journey has been nothing short of transformative. Hillary reminisces, “Due to that experience, I’m continuing to challenge assumptions and try new things.” (03:01)
Currently, she works as an Account Executive at Transparity. At Transparity, she continues to leverage the confidence she gained during her MBA journey.
Hillary’s MBA journey can inspire those who want to make a career change, move abroad, or level up their professional skillset.
The Full-time MBA program at ESMT Berlin offered comprehensive education, practical experience, and opportunities for networking and growth. Hillary left the MBA program with plenty of new skills and experiences under her belt.
Completing an MBA was exactly the right move to make her dream of a career change and living abroad a reality.
Do you want to study an MBA? Read more inspiring stories from MBA graduates and see if it is the right next step for you.
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