HEC Paris: The Ultimate Launchpad for a Global Career
With students from over 135 nationalities and alumni working in more than 150 countries, HEC Paris is not just a business school, it's a gateway to an international career. The Master in Management (MiM) Program exemplifies this global reach, with a recent average of 40% of graduates launching careers abroad after graduation.
At HEC Paris, opportunities don’t just knock, they roll out the red carpet. From vibrant cultural festivals and exclusive alumni events to immersive career treks and recruitment forums, the school offers a wealth of activities to support students and foster international careers. Notably, around 2 000 international job listings are shared with students per year, complemented by a diverse team of career coaches providing personalized career guidance and regular prospection focused on building up global company recruitment relationships.
Spotlight: HEC Talents World of Opportunities Recruitment Event
One such opportunity would be HEC’s World of Opportunities (WOO) career fair, which took place in November 2024, one of the 7 HEC Talents signature events hosted throughout the year (International Finance Fair, International Consulting Fair, Digital & Tech Fair, Forum Juridique & Fiscal/Law and Tax Fair and Impact Jobs Day and student-led Carrefours), led by Senior Executive Director Jean-Amiel Jourdan. This specific recruitment event attracted more than 15 companies spanning multiple regions and industries. This year, the event introduced a dynamic one-on-one meeting format via HEC’s career portal Handshake, giving students a more personalized and engaging way to connect with recruiters.
HEC Talents Director of Employer Engagement and Events, Sophie Dimich Louvet, had the following to say about this year’s event:
“The World of Opportunities event is all about expanding horizons. Many of our students aim for careers in France or Europe, but this event helps them think bigger. Thanks to our seven international offices and a network of 71,000 alumni, we’re uniquely positioned to connect students to opportunities that might not otherwise be on their radar.”
Alumni Giving Back
For this year’s World of Opportunities career fair, HEC Paris was delighted to welcome back several alumni contacts, returning as both hiring managers and even co-founders of their own enterprises. Their involvement showcased how the HEC network truly comes full circle, with graduates giving back by recruiting the next generation of talent.
Among them was Matthias Walter, a graduate of the Master in Management program (2018–2020) and co-founder of Fioro Technologies in Munich.
Fioro is a start-up offering an innovative platform that helps client-facing professionals, such as sales representatives and recruiters, refine their sales and communication abilities through interactive role-playing exercises with AI-simulated counterparts.
He reflected on his journey and participation in the recruitment event, this time as a recruiter:
“Looking back, things have come full circle. I received tremendous support from HEC Paris as a student creating my first venture, which laid the foundation for future endeavors. Having participated in World of Opportunities on behalf of Fioro was a great feeling as we plan on expanding both our team and impact in the upcoming year.”
Looking ahead to 2025, the team is focused on scaling Fioro from a startup to a sustainable business. With proof of concept in hand, they plan to expand both their team and impact in the tech-driven professional development space.
International Collaboration through HEC Global Offices
Beyond events, HEC Paris continues to foster strong international engagement through strategic collaboration with HEC global offices who have long-standing regional connections with both companies and alumni contacts. This approach has been highly effective in sourcing for HEC Talents career fairs, fostering network growth, and enhancing regional recruitment relationships.
Vincent Muzelle, Head of the HEC USA office shared the following insight:
“The HEC USA office acts as a super connector and a bridge between our campus and our alumni community in the US. After 7 years of activity in the US, the HEC USA Office has a clear view the HEC Alumni mapping in North America and is able to share that knowledge with current students to support them in their international career endeavors. The HEC USA Office organizes networking events on a monthly basis to create more connections and opportunities. The HEC USA Office also co-organizes online events to bridge our campus with North America.”
As a prime example, in coordination with the HEC USA Office, HEC Talents was also recently able to share many career opportunities in the US thanks to the Corporate Ambassador Program created by the HEC Office. Those ambassadors are local alumni who not only share their career opportunities but also support HEC students' applications within their companies. A couple examples would be: BNPP North America, JC Decaux, Instacart and Wonderbox.
Global Market Trends and Advice Linked to this Year’s Event
Regarding market trends, HEC Talents’ Employer Engagement team is responsible for both maintaining and prospecting company recruitment relationships.
Since the team sourced and was directly in touch with company representatives for the World of Opportunities event, HEC’s Employer Engagement division had the following to say:
“Monitoring market trends is essential for HEC Talents to identify emerging global opportunities. By analyzing macro factors such as employment trends, economic conditions, and geopolitical shifts, alongside micro-level feedback from company consultations, we've most recently pinpointed significant international growth in tech (sustainability focus), renewable energy, and healthcare sectors, driven by environmental and social governance (ESG) policies. At this year's World of Opportunities event, ESG initiatives were present with two companies showcasing renewable energy and research projects, while retail leaders like PUMA and Loewe highlighted exciting opportunities in Germany and France, particularly in tech, marketing, finance, and consulting roles. Globally, demand for finance and consulting professionals remains strong, representing nearly 46% of all job offers generated at the forum.” - Rachel Cooper, HEC International Employer Engagement Manager
Regarding in-demand skillsets, the Employer Engagement team also has some unanimous feedback for students based on company interactions:
“Showing up is only half the battle; the other half is coming prepared with specific job opportunities in mind to discuss with recruiters. Employers have emphasized that flexibility is key to securing the right fit, along with mastering some soft skills for effective 1-1 interactions. Being open to exploring roles in regions you might not have initially considered can be crucial, as it may lead to the seniority level you're aiming for and open doors to unexpected, rewarding opportunities.”- Lucielle Yee, HEC International Employer Engagement Manager
HEC International Connections: Staying in Touch
As always, HEC Paris offers a comprehensive career toolkit for its students, and this year’s World of Opportunities event is an excellent example of the valuable resources available. From exclusive access to international job opportunities to insightful guidance from industry leaders, the event showcased the university’s commitment to supporting students in their career journeys. Whether you're exploring new career paths, networking with top companies, or seeking advice on the job market, HEC Paris ensures you're well-equipped for success.
If you have any questions related to HEC recruitment events or would like more information on upcoming opportunities as either a student or company, please don't hesitate to reach out to the HEC Talents team at: hectalents-employerengagement@hec.fr