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An Esade MBA empowers students to write their own success stories. Hear from several graduates who’ve benefited from Esade’s diversity to become ethical, responsible, and sustainable leaders working for global brands in all corners of the globe.
From their first day on campus in Barcelona, Spain, Esade Full-Time MBA students embark on creating their success stories as leaders. While their academic work prepares them for leadership, they also work closely with career advisors on a strategic action plan.
The result? Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Santander, and Deutsche Bank. Those are just a few of the many global companies where Esade students land internships and full-time jobs. Esade also hosts career fairs where over 400 employers can meet with more than 2000 students to connect and explore employment opportunities. Over 90% of job-seeking students find employment within three months of graduation. (Esade MBA Employment Report, Class of 2024)
It’s no coincidence that Esade MBA graduates are so successful. Esade’s Full-Time MBA is ranked among the top 10 in Europe by QS, the Financial Times, and Bloomberg BusinessWeek. The Financial Times cited Esade’s strengths in international experience, sustainability, student diversity, and post-graduation salary growth.
Each student becomes one of many Esade MBA success stories. Like MBA Class of 2024 graduate Alejandro Pinzón, for example. After consulting with career advisors and participating in the Esade Career Acceleration Program (CAP), Alejandro landed a Consultant role at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Bogotá, Colombia. Esade’s CAP programs cover Consulting, Functional Leadership, and Financial Services & Investments.
“The support I received from Esade Careers was key to landing my role at BCG. From early guidance through CAP Consulting to on-campus access to top strategy firms, I was able to grow professionally, prepare effectively, and build a strong network within the consulting industry.”
Not only do graduates find excellent roles, but they also earn the salaries they deserve. Just three years after graduation, the average salary was US$205,044.
As reflected in its motto, “Do Good, Do Better”, Esade nurtures ethical, responsible, and sustainable leaders. The core Esade Full-Time MBA curriculum includes courses such as Business in Society and Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility. Sustainability topics are woven through courses in strategy, operations, and marketing so students can apply these principles in every function.
Esade MBA students can specialize in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Innovation, Social Impact, or Family Business. Meanwhile, a choice of over 50 electives enables students to deepen their expertise in social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and sustainable innovation, among other topics. Students participate in real-world business challenges, in companies or social impact organizations.
Rui Brites, a 2025 MBA graduate from Portugal, received the Esade Excellence Award: Leadership Scholarship. He describes his experience at Esade as “diverse, challenging, and transformative.” The Esade MBA program gave him the business knowledge and leadership skills to land a role in consulting. He paired his MBA experience with his expertise in Anthropology to drive human-centered innovation. He’s now at consultancy firm Stripe Partners, which combines social and data science to give companies a deep understanding of the world, their customers, and their organizations.
Many students come to Esade seeking to pivot into a new industry, field, or location. And they succeed. Among the 2024 graduates, 76% changed sector, 81% changed function, and 58% found roles in a new location.
Moreover, Esade’s extended alumni community is an important asset for MBA students seeking to make a career jump. The Esade Elevate Mentorship Program pairs students and alumni who work to positively impact their mentees’ career journeys.
For example, Karen Robles, a 2024 MBA graduate from the Philippines, says the program and alumni career guidance were crucial for her switch into the technology sector. She’s now a Senior Product Manager at Amazon in London.
“When I joined the MBA program, my goal was to pivot from consumer goods to tech and stay in Europe. Esade Careers was instrumental in this, connecting me with the right mentor, introducing me to the Amazon Launch Program, and linking me with alumni for early guidance and preparation,” she says.
As part of her exploration of new sectors and cultures, Karen participated in “study treks” in Amsterdam and Dublin. These were a great way to meet alumni and future employers as well as bond with classmates, she says.
Diversity is evident across Esade, enriching the student experience as well as their development as leaders. Founded in 1958 with the belief that human potential is the driving force in business and society, Esade continues its commitment to creating a rich and diverse learning environment where that potential can grow.
In terms of numbers, the 2026 class of 180 students represents over 45 nationalities and a variety of industries, from financial services to media to tech. Furthermore, the average age is 30, with six years of experience.
As a result, the diverse and close-knit community helps students tackle the challenging curriculum, delivering skills that they later bring to their work life. 2024 graduate Zahid Zaki, from NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s largest telecommunications company shares, “Now I think I’m more resilient and more well-equipped to work in any environment, with any people. That’s the reward.” (01:05)
Meanwhile, Will Collier, a 2024 MBA graduate from the United States, chose Esade for its diversity. Academically, he sought to put the pieces of the puzzle together, linking his experience in marketing with other parts of a business, from strategy to operations.
“When you get into a setting like this, around such a diverse group of people that come from such a variety of backgrounds, it really forces you to innovate what you aspire to be and what you believe is possible for yourself,” says Will. (00:40) Naturally, he has his own Esade MBA success story. He’s now a Global Marketing Manager at fast-food giant McDonald’s, based in Chicago.
Magnus Botnedal, a 2024 MBA graduate, grew up in Norway but has worked in Singapore and China and completed his undergraduate degree as well as an MBA internship in Korea. Those cultures and languages have become part of his lived experience.
“It’s generally quite hard to tell what kind of invisible diversity people carry with them. I, therefore, believe that the best approach is to meet people with genuine openness and curiosity,” Magnus states.
Magnus, who was awarded the Esade MBA Student Award: Diversity Award during his MBA program, recently became Business Development & Partnerships Manager at Novo Nordisk Oceania in Sydney, Australia, after two years at the same pharmaceutical company in Korea.
Esade works with its partners to enable and strengthen diversity within the Full-time MBA by awarding scholarships to exceptional applicants. In addition to merit and need-based funding for women and candidates from a wide range of global backgrounds, Esade also offers a dedicated MBA Students Fund Diversity Scholarship.
Esade also honors MBA candidates with strong leadership experience and/or potential with the Esade Women in Business Award and the Award for Women Leaders. Esade offers scholarships with the support of the Forté Foundation, which also sponsors the Women of the World Award, given to candidates with financial need and unique perspectives.
Why not write your own success story? Apply to Esade for a Full-Time MBA that offers a diverse community in sunny Barcelona. Take advantage of opportunities to travel and experience other business cultures, and the skills that you need to step up or to make a change in your career. Become the kind of leader you’ve dreamed of, with an Esade MBA.
Want to know more? Come to the Full-Time MBA Experience Day at the Esade campus in Barcelona. You’ll have the chance to speak with Admissions and Career Services experts and engage with Student Ambassadors. Get a real look at what awaits you at Esade.
Do you want to study for an MBA? Read more inspiring stories from MBA graduates and see if it is the right next step for you.
