ESSEC’s Full-Time Global MBA program was recently remodeled. It now features a dedicated Career Learning Lab that gives students real-world exposure. Dr. Nesrine Changuel, Director of the Global MBA Career Learning Lab in Product Management, takes us through the details of a rich and impactful learning journey.
The ESSEC Career Learning Lab is a core component of the school’s Full-Time Global MBA program.
“It integrates in a very smooth way,” says Dr. Nesrine Changuel, Director of the Global MBA Career Learning Lab in Product Management. (02:00) “It’s not a separate program. It’s something that’s embedded within the [MBA] program throughout the year. So it feels very continuous.” (02:48)
Industry experts lead the labs. They blend immersive workshops, insightful lectures, and company visits within the city of Paris.
“We bring in experts from industries,” explains Nesrine. “Last year we had people from Atlassian, we had people from Google… So, they first get this exposure, but also get to practice [and have] the chance to ask questions [to] real professionals from the field.” (02:29)
The Career Learning Lab is designed to give students the specialized skills they need for high-impact careers. They choose from four labs: luxury, finance, consulting, or product management.
Each learning lab focuses on specific elements within its sector. This places the student at the center of their MBA journey, giving them industry insights and experiences that align with their career goals.
They each place a value on distinct elements of business. As Nesrine explains, “For luxury, we value branding and the customer experience. [In] finance, we value risk management and investment. For consulting, we focus on] problem-solving and prioritization. And in product management, we teach our students how to build tech products.” (01:12)
While each lab has a unique focus, they all offer tangible, real-world experience.
The Career Learning Lab in Product Management provides students with a wide range of skills. These cover everything from technical knowledge to leadership abilities.
“We focus on two areas – hard skills and soft skills. [For] hard skills, I’m talking about prioritizations… product discoveries,” says Nesrine. (03:00) “[For] soft skills, we are talking about how to create a product strategy, how to create a vision for the company, and how to manage stakeholders.” (03:21)
This varied focus gives students a user-centric mindset and the ability to adapt within a dynamic business landscape.
ESSEC alumni play a key part in the Career Learning Lab. They provide mentorship, provide industry-specific insights, and share their own experiences. Ultimately, they guide students through a pathway they once traveled themselves.
“Alumni contribute a lot,” says Nesrine. “They serve as role models. For our MBA students, having interactions with them is key.” (03:53)
It’s not just the alumni who inspire MBA students. The lab leaders themselves bring vast professional experience to the table.
“In my case, I worked as a product leader at large companies like Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. This experience helps my interaction with the students,” says Nesrine. (05:07)
Nesrine’s experience working for some of the world’s biggest tech companies is a huge resource for ESSEC students. She also uses her experience to increase career prospects for those looking to break into large corporations.
ESSEC’s Full-Time Global MBA program offers an intensive study experience throughout the year. For Nesrine, the Career Learning Lab’s practical “learning by doing” approach helps to increase engagement and motivation.
“The beauty of the Career [Learning] Lab is that it’s not a lecture style; it’s a workshop style,” she says. “Which means that we bring experts with case studies… We put [students] into the real world of a challenging industry so that they get a taste of it.” (07:40)
Nesrine is keen to highlight the importance of immersing students in real businesses in Paris.
“The company visits… are very valued by the students. They love that interaction with people and ask any questions that might come to their mind. It’s a very open discussion,” she says. (08:15)
These visits also give students valuable connections. They leave each visit with an enhanced network within their chosen career path.
ESSEC’s Career Learning Lab teaches students interconnected skills that are critical for professional success.
“We try to focus on ownership and accountability,” explains Nesrine. “For example, when people are enrolled in an internship or a global field project, it’s really important that they own it, they feel accountable, and they drive it. These are key leadership skills that we emphasize.” (09:08)
She continues, “The other thing that we value is pitching, communication, and influencing. How can you influence without authority? How can you communicate clearly?” (09:26)
Students also learn how to build trust and communicate with confidence and clarity. All vital soft skills for modern business leaders.
Students are given an in-depth explanation of the Career Learning Lab in the first month of their Full-time MBA at ESSEC. After a day of presentations from each of the lab directors, they will make their decision on which lab is right for them.
And as Nesrine points out, the idea is to enable students to curate their own learning path. “For those who want to combine and create a combination… they have the possibility to do that,” she says. (11:01)
That’s because Career Learning Labs are spread across separate quarters during the year. So, students can opt to study one specialization for the whole year. But they can also create a blended set of labs.
This flexibility of choice allows students to take ownership of a rich, impactful educational journey at ESSEC. If you’re looking for an MBA with a strong focus on product management, ESSEC is a solid choice. The Career Learning Lab provides real-world exposure, hands-on experience, and cultivates the mindset you need to launch a successful long-term career.
Want to study at ESSEC Business School? Download their Global MBA brochure here.
