Should I accept or retry


booksfreak

Hello,


I am 34 years old female from India and I wish to pursue an MBA. I have a management background in my undergraduate. The reason I feel I need an MBA now is because in the past I have worked in different industries and I started a business but failed to scale it and I had to close it. I enjoyed the journey and want to work as a product manager post MBA with some of the top consumer goods firm in EU.


In brief, I wish to understand the luxury industry and grow in e-commerce segment as I wish to start my business in 5/8 years again ( after I save money). I also want to relocate to UK or continental Europe to gain experience in the consumer goods/luxury industry.

 I applied to HEC paris and Essec ( interviewed)  but I was rejected, I believe it’s because of my low GRE score. However I have been accepted at ESCP (with little scholarship). Other schools in mind are Cambridge judge, Esade & Imperial. I wish to know if I should accept ESCP given my future plan or retry HEC Paris/ Essec (HEC is my dream school) or apply to any other school if they are better for my profile. Can you suggest or recommend a school.


Advantage of my profile: 6 years of work experience with 3 years of international experience. Further, I have business fluency (B2) in French. I have travelled much of Europe and I am used to the local culture.

[Edited by booksfreak on Mar 30, 2023]

Hello,<br><br>
I am 34 years old female from India and I wish to pursue an MBA. I have a management background in my undergraduate. The reason I feel I need an MBA now is because in the past I have worked in different industries and I started a business but failed to scale it and I had to close it. I enjoyed the journey and want to work as a product manager post MBA with some of the top consumer goods firm in EU.<br><br>
In brief, I wish to understand the luxury industry and grow in e-commerce segment as I wish to start my business in 5/8 years again ( after I save money). I also want to relocate to UK or continental Europe to gain experience in the consumer goods/luxury industry.<br><br>&nbsp;I applied to HEC paris and Essec ( interviewed) &nbsp;but I was rejected, I believe it’s because of my low GRE score. However I have been accepted at ESCP (with little scholarship). Other schools in mind are Cambridge judge, Esade &amp; Imperial. I wish to know if I should accept ESCP given my future plan or retry HEC Paris/ Essec (HEC is my dream school) or apply to any other school if they are better for my profile. Can you suggest or recommend a school.<br><br>
Advantage of my profile: 6 years of work experience with 3 years of international experience. Further, I have business fluency (B2) in French. I have travelled much of Europe and I am used to the local culture.
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Obinna

ESCP is a respectable institution in France. It’s no HEC, but it’s very much in the major leagues. You already have impressive language skills to support your intent to work in continental Europe but I’ll assume France or Switzerland perhaps. 

Since your interest is in the Luxury industry, there’s no better place to learn the trade than France, Italy and Switzerland, in Europe. A thought to spare would be that HEC Paris is great for professional services and their MBA cohorts are typically more senior hence 6 years may not cut it, beyond your GRE score. Besides, schools like HEC Paris will likely prefer a GMAT to other tests such as GRE. 

ESCP on the other hand has some impressive industry connections with luxury goods companies especially L’Oréal and LVMH. They have a fantastic marketing MSc as well (may be worth considering) and most of the graduates from that programme end up with these luxury companies in France and beyond. If you want to work in Management Consulting or professional services generally, I’ll recommend you sit for a GMAT and retry HEC Paris. But that’s not your interest, yes? More so, you do not need an MBA to work as a Product Manager. In truth, a Marketing MSc may serve you better. 

I believe the ESCP MBA will be good for your end goals. They’ve got the relevant industry links and it’s a solid business school yet I will invite you to take a good look at their MSc Marketing and Creativity programme. You’d find that they also have some sort of specialized learning for participants with interests in the luxury industry. 

[Edited by Obinna on Mar 29, 2023]

ESCP is a respectable institution in France. It’s no HEC, but it’s very much in the major leagues. You already have impressive language skills to support your intent to work in continental Europe but I’ll assume France or Switzerland perhaps.&nbsp;<br><br>Since your interest is in the Luxury industry, there’s no better place to learn the trade than France, Italy and Switzerland, in Europe. A thought to spare would be that HEC Paris is great for professional services and their MBA cohorts are typically more senior hence 6 years may not cut it, beyond your GRE score. Besides, schools like HEC Paris will likely prefer a GMAT to other tests such as GRE.&nbsp;<br><br>ESCP on the other hand has some impressive industry connections with luxury goods companies especially L’Oréal and LVMH. They have a fantastic marketing MSc as well (may be worth considering) and most of the graduates from that programme end up with these luxury companies in France and beyond. If you want to work in Management Consulting or professional services generally, I’ll recommend you sit for a GMAT and retry HEC Paris. But that’s not your interest, yes? More so, you do not need an MBA to work as a Product Manager. In truth, a Marketing MSc may serve you better.&nbsp;<br><br>I believe the ESCP MBA will be good for your end goals. They’ve got the relevant industry links and it’s a solid business school yet I will invite you to take a good look at their MSc Marketing and Creativity programme. You’d find that they also have some sort of specialized learning for participants with interests in the luxury industry.&nbsp;
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booksfreak

Thank you Obinna. It was really helpful. I had contacted the MSc Marketing team at ESCP but the average age of the class was 25 years (with students who are 21). Hence I was unsure if this cohort will suit me given I am 34 yrs old.
I am sure about my choice of industry but I wish to understand the different roles in the market especially in another country. Hence I may change my mind about product management (as of now I love products and I am a leather goods artisan but I am not sure of the exact role I wish to pursue post MBA). I don’t have any experience as a product manager except my for my business. If I decide to pursue consulting (luxury/digital stratergy) would it be difficult from ESCP?

Do you think Essec’s luxury MBA could be a better fit and if I try GMAT and decide to apply for HEC would that be a good decision given age and time factor?

[Edited by booksfreak on Mar 29, 2023]

Thank you Obinna. It was really helpful. I had contacted the MSc Marketing team at ESCP but the average age of the class was 25 years (with students who are 21). Hence I was unsure if this cohort will suit me given I am 34 yrs old.<br>I am sure about my choice of industry but I wish to understand the different roles in the market especially in another country. Hence I may change my mind about product management (as of now I love products and I am a leather goods artisan but I am not sure of the exact role I wish to pursue post MBA). I don’t have any experience as a product manager except my for my business. If I decide to pursue consulting (luxury/digital stratergy) would it be difficult from ESCP?<br><br>Do you think Essec’s luxury MBA could be a better fit and if I try GMAT and decide to apply for HEC would that be a good decision given age and time factor?
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booksfreak

@Duncan, Can you suggest or recommend as well.

@Duncan, Can you suggest or recommend as well.
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Obinna

I can relate to your cold feet towards the Marketing MSc, in terms of age range. I will say that it’s ideal that you know exactly what it is you want to do before going for advanced studies. This makes for better career planning and of course it weighs heavily on choice of programme. Having said that it’s still okay to not have everything figured out and so in this context I’ll recommend a full time MBA. The 3 schools on your radar actually represent some of the cream schools in France. For the MBAs I’ll rate them thus: HEC, ESCP and then ESSEC. 

ESCP MBAs earn much more than the ESSEC MBAs. So if you already have an admission there I’ll say take it. I understand the appeal of the Luxury specialization on the ESSEC MBA. However you need to look beyond that and focus more on the opportunities you can tap into via school-established relations whilst on the programme. In this regard, I’ll pick ESCP over ESSEC. Again I’ll mention that HEC is a fantastic school. Its only rival is INSEAD which of course is leading the pack of business schools in France. However I’m convinced that you’ll reap good benefits from an ESCP MBA and since you’re not super enthusiastic about consulting and related professions, I will not mince words to say “go for the offer you already have”. 

It’s not my belief that you cannot achieve your aims without the HEC MBA. I am convinced you’ll hit your mark with an ESCP MBA. And I’m leaning towards ESCP because I know for a fact that they have strong connections with luxury players in France and that may just be of some great value to you. 


[Edited by Obinna on Mar 29, 2023]

I can relate to your cold feet towards the Marketing MSc, in terms of age range. I will say that it’s ideal that you know exactly what it is you want to do before going for advanced studies. This makes for better career planning and of course it weighs heavily on choice of programme. Having said that it’s still okay to not have everything figured out and so in this context I’ll recommend a full time MBA. The 3 schools on your radar actually represent some of the cream schools in France. For the MBAs I’ll rate them thus: HEC, ESCP and then ESSEC.&nbsp;<br><br>ESCP MBAs earn much more than the ESSEC MBAs. So if you already have an admission there I’ll say take it. I understand the appeal of the Luxury specialization on the ESSEC MBA. However you need to look beyond that and focus more on the opportunities you can tap into via school-established relations whilst on the programme. In this regard, I’ll pick ESCP over ESSEC. Again I’ll mention that HEC is a fantastic school. Its only rival is INSEAD which of course is leading the pack of business schools in France. However I’m convinced that you’ll reap good benefits from an ESCP MBA and since you’re not super enthusiastic about consulting and related professions, I will not mince words to say “go for the offer you already have”.&nbsp;<br><br>It’s not my belief that you cannot achieve your aims without the HEC MBA. I am convinced you’ll hit your mark with an ESCP MBA. And I’m leaning towards ESCP because I know for a fact that they have strong connections with luxury players in France and that may just be of some great value to you.&nbsp;<br><br><br>
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Duncan

I would recommend ESCP. For most people, it's a far better choice than ESSEC, and that's before we even start talking about location. If you were several years younger, had less experience, or didn't have intermediate French then I could recommend HEC. However, it doesn't make sense for you to wait. 

I would recommend ESCP. For most people, it's a far better choice than ESSEC, and that's before we even start talking about location. If you were several years younger, had less experience, or didn't have intermediate French then I could recommend HEC. However, it doesn't make sense for you to wait.&nbsp;
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booksfreak

Thank you Obinna and Duncan.
But how is the international mobility for ESCP, their MBA is new unlike the MIM which has a huge alumni.
I know the rule of thumb is to study where you want to work, so in case  I choose to work in UK (or at stretch Middle eastern countries), is ESCP well regarded? Would it be wrong to not consider a UK school?

PS the ESCP MBA is one semester Paris and one semester in London campus.

Thank you Obinna and Duncan.<br>But how is the international mobility for ESCP, their MBA is new unlike the MIM which has a huge alumni.<br>I know the rule of thumb is to study where you want to work, so in case &nbsp;I choose to work in UK (or at stretch Middle eastern countries), is ESCP well regarded? Would it be wrong to not consider a UK school?<br><br>PS the ESCP MBA is one semester Paris and one semester in London campus.
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Duncan

The ESCP MBA must be at least 50 years old. ESCP merged with EAP, one of Europe's first schools to have an MBA.

 ESCP makes sense if you want to work in the EU. You can send the second semester in Berlin and the third in Madrid or Turin. 

If you study in the UK for a year, then you get a post-study work visa. You won't get that from the ESCP MBA. If you want to work in the UK, study in the UK. 

The ESCP MBA must be at least 50 years old. ESCP merged with EAP, one of Europe's first schools to have an MBA.<br><br>&nbsp;ESCP makes sense if you want to work in the EU. You can send the second semester in Berlin and the third in Madrid or Turin.&nbsp;<br><br>If you study in the UK for a year, then you get a post-study work visa. You won't get that from the ESCP MBA. If you want to work in the UK, study in the UK.&nbsp;
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booksfreak

Which schools in UK would you recommend for my background? Interest in luxury industry for PM role. Long term plan to start a business. Oxibridge don’t offer luxury electives. Manchester replied that my profile would not suit their program.

Which schools in UK would you recommend for my background? Interest in luxury industry for PM role. Long term plan to start a business. Oxibridge don’t offer luxury electives. Manchester replied that my profile would not suit their program.
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Duncan

The UK doesn't have a lot of MBA-level roles in the luxury industry. The LBS programme with Walpole is the exception. 

PS Check my post on how to use LinkedIn. Other than LBS, Insead and SDA Bocconi are the most represented MBAs in UK luxury. So, its LBS or study in the EU. 

[Edited by Duncan on Mar 30, 2023]

The UK doesn't have a lot of MBA-level roles in the luxury industry. The LBS programme with Walpole is the exception.&nbsp;<br><br>PS Check my post on how to use LinkedIn. Other than LBS, Insead and SDA Bocconi are the most represented MBAs in UK luxury. So, its LBS or study in the EU.&nbsp;
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Obinna

You may want to consider picking a programme within the EU and the ESCP MBA is one of the oldest MBAs on offer. Granted it was paused for some years but they’ve relaunched it very recently and it’s very much a sound MBA by all standards. You seem to have a strong leaning towards luxury and if that’s so coupled with your good language skill (French), how about you focus up and pursue something in the EU. 

A. We’ve already established the ESCP MBA and its worth. So this is no longer in question. 

B. France, Italy and Switzerland are the countries with an impressive concentration of luxury businesses. Picking a school in France will give you an easier access to opportunities with these companies. Much more than you’d have in the UK. It’s a no brainer really!

C. ESCP as well known as it is in Europe isn’t enjoying much success in the UK. So if you must study in the UK (which would surprise me if you insist on it), there are more recognized schools you can apply to. You may have to sit for a GMAT to improve your appeal to the best schools. And if you can’t invest that time for the GMAT, there are 2nd tier MBAs as well, but be sure to stay within the top 10 MBAs hence Durham comes to mind. 

D. You can’t eat your cake and have it. You have to make a decision on what you want, where you want to go and be steadfast with your plans. In all, your choice of career is pivotal and if it’s to work in the luxury industry, I’ll reiterate my recommendation to accept your ESCP MBA offer, head over to France and build out your career. With their MBA you will have a fantastic mobility within the EU so even if you don’t want to live in France post study, you could still work in other EU countries comfortably.


[Edited by Obinna on Mar 30, 2023]

You may want to consider picking a programme within the EU and the ESCP MBA is one of the oldest MBAs on offer. Granted it was paused for some years but they’ve relaunched it very recently and it’s very much a sound MBA by all standards. You seem to have a strong leaning towards luxury and if that’s so coupled with your good language skill (French), how about you focus up and pursue something in the EU.&nbsp;<br><br>A. We’ve already established the ESCP MBA and its worth. So this is no longer in question.&nbsp;<br><br>B. France, Italy and Switzerland are the countries with an impressive concentration of luxury businesses. Picking a school in France will give you an easier access to opportunities with these companies. Much more than you’d have in the UK. It’s a no brainer really!<br><br>C. ESCP as well known as it is in Europe isn’t enjoying much success in the UK. So if you must study in the UK (which would surprise me if you insist on it), there are more recognized schools you can apply to. You may have to sit for a GMAT to improve your appeal to the best schools. And if you can’t invest that time for the GMAT, there are 2nd tier MBAs as well, but be sure to stay within the top 10 MBAs hence Durham comes to mind.&nbsp;<br><br>D. You can’t eat your cake and have it. You have to make a decision on what you want, where you want to go and be steadfast with your plans. In all, your choice of career is pivotal and if it’s to work in the luxury industry, I’ll reiterate my recommendation to accept your ESCP MBA offer, head over to France and build out your career. With their MBA you will have a fantastic mobility within the EU so even if you don’t want to live in France post study, you could still work in other EU countries comfortably.<br><br><br>
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Duncan

ESCP, as well known as it is in Europe, isn’t enjoying much success in the UK.


I don't think this is very true. I visited the ESCP London campus and really feels like a vibrant and successful school. Its students do well. However, it's naturally very unattractive to the average Brit, who is monolingual and doesn't want to study abroad. It's operated in the UK since 1974, and it's _never_ going to have a mostly British cohort or displace the British universities. It's primarily a way for Europeans to experience the UK market and, for people who stay for two semesters, gain a UK work visa while still getting a EU degree. 

[Edited by Duncan on Mar 30, 2023]

[quote]ESCP, as well known as it is in Europe, isn’t enjoying much success in the UK.[/quote]<br><br>I don't think this is very true. I visited the ESCP London campus and really feels like a vibrant and successful school. Its students do well. However, it's naturally very unattractive to the average Brit, who is monolingual and doesn't want to study abroad. It's operated in the UK since 1974, and it's _never_ going to have a mostly British cohort or displace the British universities. It's primarily a way for Europeans to experience the UK market and, for people who stay for two semesters, gain a UK work visa while still getting a EU degree.&nbsp;
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Obinna

Fair enough Duncan yet a typical British employer will consider known British universities and business schools before ESCP. No argument about the London campus, I’ve also visited there and their students do well of course, but outside the UK mostly. And most of them that end up in the UK, if you look closely, are usually with French companies. And the school’s industry connections is also poor in the UK relative to France and the EU. A careful analysis will reveal the truth about ESCP’s local standing/appeal amongst UK employers. 


Fair enough Duncan yet a typical British employer will consider known British universities and business schools before ESCP. No argument about the London campus, I’ve also visited there and their students do well of course, but outside the UK mostly. And most of them that end up in the UK, if you look closely, are usually with French companies. And the school’s industry connections is also poor in the UK relative to France and the EU. A careful analysis will reveal the truth about ESCP’s local standing/appeal amongst UK employers.&nbsp;<br><br><br>
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booksfreak

This is what concerned me as I have opted Paris for 1st semester followed by London since I wanted to experience the UK market. Although I am not sure about the visa process for UK, the two cities I can foresee living in are Paris or London and working for companies like LVMH, L’Oréal, Burberry or Kering group and all these above companies have a base in both France and UK. 
Will ESCP (Paris-London) track give me an advantage to work in London with opportunities if I choose to? (since I chose London over Berlin)

PS currently half my family is based in London hence the inclination for UK.

[Edited by booksfreak on Mar 30, 2023]

This is what concerned me as I have opted Paris for 1st semester followed by London since I wanted to experience the UK market. Although I am not sure about the visa process for UK, the two cities I can foresee living in are Paris or London and working for companies like LVMH, L’Oréal, Burberry or Kering group and all these above companies have a base in both France and UK.&nbsp;<br>Will ESCP (Paris-London) track give me an advantage to work in London with opportunities if I choose to? (since I chose London over Berlin)<br><br>PS currently half my family is based in London hence the inclination for UK.
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Obinna

If you’re really keen about London, then you have to understand that for starters an ESCP MBA will not qualify you for post-study visa in the UK which needs a UK study-residence of 12 months minimum. Your time in UK at ESCP cannot be up to that, I reckon. 

A marketing MSc (you have to make peace with the young cohorts) will get you on the path to the luxury industry faster than an MBA. Warwick’s MSc Marketing & Strategy, Lancaster’s Advanced Marketing Management MSc, Bayes’ Marketing Strategy and Innovation MSc and Imperial’s Strategic Marketing Msc are the best in my books. I have seen their curriculum and they are super nice. You may be older but you will see a couple of individuals about your age in class too. This is the surest pathway to your desired luxury industry opportunities + UK’s 2-year Graduate Visa opportunity. Again this is with regards to your interest to live and work in London. 

But if Paris remains top of the list (after some introspection) your ESCP MBA will get you what you want. There’s no school in France that I know to have better luxury industry connections than ESCP. 

so it’s up to you to decide where you want to live. I don’t see an MBA from ESCP opening doors for you in the UK. It’s an extreme proposition to say the least. And the offer you have from ESCP will accelerate your run towards your target industry, in France. 

So decide: Paris or London?

If you’re really keen about London, then you have to understand that for starters an ESCP MBA will not qualify you for post-study visa in the UK which needs a UK study-residence of 12 months minimum. Your time in UK at ESCP cannot be up to that, I reckon.&nbsp;<br><br>A marketing MSc (you have to make peace with the young cohorts) will get you on the path to the luxury industry faster than an MBA. Warwick’s MSc Marketing &amp; Strategy, Lancaster’s Advanced Marketing Management MSc, Bayes’ Marketing Strategy and Innovation MSc and Imperial’s Strategic Marketing Msc are the best in my books. I have seen their curriculum and they are super nice. You may be older but you will see a couple of individuals about your age in class too. This is the surest pathway to your desired luxury industry opportunities + UK’s 2-year Graduate Visa opportunity. Again this is with regards to your interest to live and work in London.&nbsp;<br><br>But if Paris remains top of the list (after some introspection) your ESCP MBA will get you what you want. There’s no school in France that I know to have better luxury industry connections than ESCP.&nbsp;<br><br>so it’s up to you to decide where you want to live. I don’t see an MBA from ESCP opening doors for you in the UK. It’s an extreme proposition to say the least. And the offer you have from ESCP will accelerate your run towards your target industry, in France.&nbsp;<br><br>So decide: Paris or London?
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booksfreak

Let me do some thinking and introspection and get back. Thank you for explaining in detail :)

@Duncan Do you feel the same about ESCP MBA’s recognition in UK? Would you also advice looking into MSc programs?

Let me do some thinking and introspection and get back. Thank you for explaining in detail :)<br><br>@Duncan Do you feel the same about ESCP MBA’s recognition in UK? Would you also advice looking into MSc programs?
quote
Duncan

Obinna is giving you good advice. In particular, the ESCP MBA cannot lead to the post-study work visa because, unlike the MiM, you cannot spend 12 months in the UK. 

If you want to work in luxury, I cannot recommend the UK when you already speak some French. London is probably a better place for your second semester at ESCP than Berlin, so I think you have a good option now. 

Obinna is giving you good advice. In particular, the ESCP MBA cannot lead to the post-study work visa because, unlike the MiM, you cannot spend 12 months in the UK.&nbsp;<br><br>If you want to work in luxury, I cannot recommend the UK when you already speak some French. London is probably a better place for your second semester at ESCP than Berlin, so I think you have a good option now.&nbsp;
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booksfreak

Do you have any update on the starting salary for an MBA graduate in the luxury industry in France? Typically for a role of a product manager? 


[Edited by booksfreak on Apr 03, 2023]

Do you have any update on the starting salary for an MBA graduate in the luxury industry in France? Typically for a role of a product manager?&nbsp;<br><br><br>
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Duncan

I just put "product manager salary france" into Google and got a pretty convincing number. 

I just put "product manager salary france" into Google and got a pretty convincing number.&nbsp;
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booksfreak

Hi again,
After some reflection I realised with the uncertainty on UK psw for 2024 and with my experience working in France as an English teacher for few years. France could be a low risk option for me.
However, I tried talking to people in the Luxury industry mostly product/project managers and they said despite the function, the industry pays less. This concerned me as I am 34 and looking to “earn more”.
The reason I am keen to switch to Luxury/retail is because in the long term I plan to start my own business in e-commerce (fashion).

Given the industry is competitive with low pay, I was thinking of a second option by switching to healthcare management. I have no experience in the field but I still want to work in the same function product/brand management and grow towards strategy.

Since ESCP offers general management, I was hoping it will give me some flexibility. How does the school place in healthcare in EU (FR or swiss)/UK (NHS). 

I would really appreciate your thoughts and opinion.

Hi again,<br>After some reflection I realised with the uncertainty on UK psw for 2024 and with my experience working in France as an English teacher for few years. France could be a low risk option for me.<br>However, I tried talking to people in the Luxury industry mostly product/project managers and they said despite the function, the industry pays less. This concerned me as I am 34 and looking to “earn more”.<br>The reason I am keen to switch to Luxury/retail is because in the long term I plan to start my own business in e-commerce (fashion).<br><br>Given the industry is competitive with low pay, I was thinking of a second option by switching to healthcare management. I have no experience in the field but I still want to work in the same function product/brand management and grow towards strategy.<br><br>Since ESCP offers general management, I was hoping it will give me some flexibility. How does the school place in healthcare in EU (FR or swiss)/UK (NHS).&nbsp;<br><br>I would really appreciate your thoughts and opinion.
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