Five Years Later: Why My EMBA Was Worth It
"For me, an EMBA is not just about acquiring skills like leadership or accounting. Let’s be honest, many of those can be learned through work experience or online courses. What an EMBA offers is something deeper."
When Marie Skinner started her EMBA journey at HEC Paris, she was a Business Unit Manager in engineering consulting, primarily focused on senior business development. Five years later, she reflects on how the program gave her the confidence to pivot into a completely new role, leading the global marketing team at her company.
Looking back, she considers the EMBA one of the most transformative experiences of her life—one that continues to impact her career today.
More Than Just a Degree
Since graduating, Marie has been asked: Was it worth it? Would you do it again? And more recently, she saw a post questioning whether an MBA is even necessary. That made her reflect on what she truly gained from the experience and why it was much more than just a credential.
A Life-Changing Toolbox
Marie describes the EMBA as an intense and structured experience that forces personal and professional growth.
“It’s about stretching your limits and exposing yourself to new perspectives. It’s not just about the knowledge; it’s about transformation.”
An Unmatched Network
Beyond academics, Marie credits the people she met at HEC Paris as one of the program’s most valuable assets.
“HEC Paris brought me into a global community of bright, driven individuals. These are people who challenge you, inspire you, and become lifelong friends. No professional association or LinkedIn connection will ever compare to the bonds forged during those months. I formed lifelong friendships that I am deeply grateful for.”
A New Lens on the World
“One of the most profound lessons of my EMBA was realising how much I had been formatted by my past experiences. Coming from engineering consulting, I saw business challenges through a very specific lens. The program opened my eyes to a world of diverse perspectives, industries, and truths.”
Advice for Future EMBA Candidates
Marie offers three key pieces of advice to those considering an EMBA:
Know Your “Why”
“Don’t pursue an EMBA just to tick a box on your CV. Be clear about what you want out of it, whether it’s personal growth, career acceleration, or access to a new network.”
Invest in the Journey, Not Just the Degree
She emphasizes that the value of an EMBA isn’t just in the credential but in how you engage with the experience.
“Most people who end up disappointed with their EMBA thought that simply adding a prestigious school’s logo to their CV would transform their career. Show up. Attend the webinars. Go to the networking events. Connect with alumni. Join an association. Be a delegate. Go out for the drinks. The experience is what you make of it—so make it count.”
Be Ready to Transform
“An MBA is not just a program—it’s a process. It’s not always easy, and it will push you in ways you didn’t expect. You might quit your job or even get a divorce. It’s a time of immense growth and change, and you need to be ready to embrace it, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone completely.”
From Business Development to Global Marketing Leadership
Marie’s EMBA experience directly shaped her career. While she entered the program as a senior business development professional, it gave her the confidence and strategic mindset to pivot into marketing- an entirely new domain for her.
“HEC Paris was the obvious choice for me because it had always been a dream to join such a prestigious institution,” she shares. “HEC is renowned as the best of the best, and its global reputation, combined with its incredible network, made the decision easy. “
When an opportunity arose to lead the marketing department at Arcondis, she took it—even though it was uncharted territory. She successfully restructured the department, aligning it with sales and lead-generation needs, transforming its role within the company.
Today, as Head of Global Sales and Marketing at Arcondis, she continues to apply the lessons learned during her EMBA. "The leadership classes had the most lasting impact. They emphasized the importance of self-awareness, which helped me embrace and refine my own leadership style—one rooted in authenticity."
Reflecting on the past five years, she sums up her journey:
"The EMBA gave me the confidence to take on new challenges and expand my skill set. This is my first global role, and after three years, I’m still learning every day. I feel incredibly fortunate to be continuously growing in my career."