Shifting careers is an increasingly common desire. Yet, overcoming obstacles like qualifications, experience, and access to industry networks is challenging. In our interview with Nybol Majok, a student at ESSEC, we explore how pursuing an MBA program empowers professionals to successfully pivot into their dream careers.
The days when people would stick to their first career choice until retirement are long gone. In today’s workforce, people are increasingly aware of their options. As individuals in constant development, many are considering shifting careers, to increase career satisfaction.
Pivoting career paths is not a new phenomenon, but it has become more prevalent in recent years. In fact, according to this study by Indeed, almost half of the employees surveyed had gone through a career change at some point. However, this lateral move from one industry to another comes with an investment in skill upgrading, networking, and experiential learning.
The main driving factors that motivate career shifts are salary increase, working conditions, career alignment, personal development, and pursuing a dream job. That ideal job might be a specific role but it could also be a new industry. For those looking to break into the world of luxury goods, ESSEC Business School is a good place to start.
Transitioning to the luxury industry was Nybol Majok’s motivation to pursue an MBA degree. She felt she had “reached a ceiling” as a supply chain and logistics professional. “I just started to feel uninspired, and I was just starting to feel like it was becoming very banal, and more or less the same thing,” she says. (00:45)
Nybol was drawn to the luxury industry due to her love for fragrance, beauty, and fashion. Plus, where her previous job stifled her creative side, creativity is an asset in luxury brand management. (03:53)
Thus, she recognized her destination and perceived the MBA as her vehicle to reach it.
The hardest part of shifting careers and moving into a new industry is getting your foot in the door. Landing that first opportunity in a new sector is challenging due to a knowledge gap and limited access to the industry network. That said, workforce entry barriers vary depending on the sector, and some industries are easier to get into than others.
“Luxury is an industry that you can’t just switch into. You have to know people; you have to network … I had no clue how I was going to make it happen,” Nybol explains. (00:59)
Nybol found an MBA is the safest option to make the switch without contacts in the luxury industry.
“I had two options if I wanted to get into luxury. I either had to move and then probably start at an entry-level job and then work my way up. That’s just keeping it safe. Or, if I did have the connections, I could be able to reach out to somebody and ask if there are opportunities that they could be able to help me with.” (01:42)
Nybol acquired the knowledge and skills to navigate the luxury industry through ESSEC’s Global MBA (GMBA). Additionally, the program enabled her to connect with industry professionals and develop relevant work experience, opening doors to opportunities.
Multiple factors come into play when choosing the right MBA program as a gateway to shifting careers. It mostly comes down to the curriculum, program duration, cost, and the benefits of the network you can build.
“I just thought, if I were able to find a program that can connect me to people and give me the credibility to actually switch into this industry, it would make more sense. Hence why I am now doing my MBA,” Nybol tells us. (02:26)
ESSEC’s GMBA provides comprehensive business courses and a strong luxury industry alumni network.
“The best thing about our program, and having spoken to alumni, having spoken to people who have been in the industry for a while, is that what we learn is able to be transitioned into different sectors, and it’s holistic. So it’s not just one size, only for one industry, that you’ll be able to use the knowledge,” says Nybol. (05:40)
GMBA participants get a “big picture” view of the core business functions and industry-specific knowledge, both crucial elements in a career shift. The program takes place in France and Singapore, allowing participants to build relations with classmates from various backgrounds, cultures, and industries.
Overall, pursuing a full-time MBA can be a great way to fast-track a transition when shifting careers. Reflecting on her experience, Nybol shares some tips she wish she had known before starting her MBA journey.
Nybol highlighted how fast the MBA passes and the condensed nature of the ESSEC program. She wished for more time to delve deeper into certain courses and learn from the professors. However, Nybol feels that experiential learning outside the classroom compensates for the short class duration. (06:35)
Nybol advises aspiring career shifters to approach the MBA with an open mind and not to play it safe. She believes that being open to opportunities and unafraid of the unknown is crucial for initiating change. This is advice she wishes she had been given the first time she was in France on an exchange.
“The first time I came I played it very safe … but this time around I’m saying ‘No, I’m going to make an effort to speak French. I’m going to make an effort to go out and do things that scare me, vs. just playing it safe.’ So that’s what I would have told my younger self and anybody who is looking to change their life or do something different, ” Nybol shares. (08:46)
Lastly, Nybol stresses the importance of researching the job market before choosing a school. She encourages prospective applicants to thoroughly understand their desired field, and identify areas of expertise and areas that require improvement. By researching the job market, applicants ensure they become strong candidates after graduation and secure positions aligned with their goals. (13:45)
Pursuing an MBA empowers career shifters to realize their dreams, combining their passions with industry-specific skills and experience. Nybol’s story tells the transformative power of an MBA.
If, like Nybol, you are ready to embark on a transformative experience, reach out to ESSEC’s student ambassadors to hear about their experiences in the MBA at ESSEC.
