I hope to be admitted to EDHEC's global MBA this week for the September intake. As I weigh the possibilities, I wonder if somebody with insight into the European, especially French, job market for Americans could give me general impression of how my professional experience might be viewed - as a hindrance, a plus, or neither. My major concern getting an MBA, in Europe or anywhere, is that I'll still be stuck with a very hard time getting a position afterwards based on my professional experience prior to the MBA.

My background is extremely non-technical, non-business related. I was a Protestant pastor for 10 years, but decided to leave that vocation in 2012. No interesting / professional work since then - getting by working in a factory. My take on being a pastor is that it entailed leadership and organizational management skills, and of course people skills. My major concern is that, as a general stereotype, Europe is more secular than the United States, so my previous profession may be viewed with suspicion, although I am sure religious discrimination in employment is illegal. Seeing as how I have not been able to translate my professional experience as a pastor into a new profession in the United States, will it be almost impossible to accomplish in Europe, even with an MBA? I do not wish to work in a religious context any more, but would be open to other non-profit or charitable organizations.

I should clarify that I can handle the French language fairly well, and with the time there should be able to regain functional fluency.