I wonder, if anybody has a suggestion for me? I am from Franc but I would like to do an English language MBA program, in hospitality.

I understand that ESSEC offers such a program, and that this MBA program is well respected in the hospitality field.

However, it would be beneficial for me to get some international experience while I am studying. That's why I am also considering applying to an American school like George Washington University. I would also be open to going to Asia, since I understand that the hospitality field is growing there, but I have yet to find an MBA program there which has a concentration in hospitality.

And finally, even though it's not an MBA program, I am also considering Cornell's Master of Management in Hospitality. I am curious to see if anybody had any insight on this program specifically, in terms of how it would compare to an MBA.

From what I understand the Cornell program is pretty similar to an MBA program, at least it's much closer to how an MBA program works versus say a pre-experience master's program.
The program itself offers strong post-degree career support, but it's through the Hotel School rather than Johnson. The Hotel School has a great network in the industry, but the flip side is that you'd probably be ultimately limited to the industry.

Another option would be to do a general MBA at the best school you can get into. With this approach you'd have a wider network, and you'd be able to broaden your post-degree career options.

A good approach is to research people in the industry working in the roles you are aiming for and see what kinds of degrees they have. Use LinkedIn. Also, talk to the schools and ask about how these specific degree options help graduates' career arcs.

Hi Beennie,

My name is Gabriella De La Torre, and I have just graduated from ESSEC's MBA in Hospitality Management (IMHI) Program this year. As you are well aware, this program consists of business courses geared towards the hospitality industry in English. Opportunities to gain international exposure exist in the form of internships, should you decide to do the program in two years.

If you have any further questions about the IMHI program, I would be more than happy to answer them via email.

Best of luck in your decision,
Gabriella

Gabriella, if I might ask - I think a lot of readers on this forum are probably curious about what kind of post-graduation support this program provides, and especially what kind of job you are in now.

Sure, I'd be happy to answer that. IMHI has a dedicated Career Services department that does a number of things to aid graduating students in their career search. Among these initiatives are personal career appointments with advisors who help to develop your personal project and put you in contact with potential alumni who may be of interest, an IMHI-dedicated career website complete with job postings targeted to IMHI graduates and most recently a component of the annual ESSEC Hospitality Forum during which prospective employers (i.e. major hotel companies, hospitality consulting organizations, etc.) share their job opportunities with students and answer questions regarding employment within their organizations.

I have just graduated this past July and can say that a number of students have already secured jobs in a variety of fields including hotel/F&B operations, hotel development, real estate consulting and asset management among others. I, personally, have secured a position within real estate consulting, and this opportunity has in great part been thanks to the IMHI alumni network.

Thanks for that!