Hello - I am seeking some guidance on MBA as I am a Non European
1. MBA in luxury brand management from ESSEC vs SDA Bocconi ?
2. Or generic MBA though I have to get into brand management eventually but nothing stops from getting a job with generic MBA as well.
3. Better ROI out of the two ?

I will be grateful if alumni form school can share there views as well.

Many Thanks

Can't go wrong with either of these two MBAs if you're interested in luxury. But there are a lot of caveats here:

- do you speak French or Italian? If not, that's going to be a barrier for you if you want to break into either France or Italy.
- luxury businesses don't typically recruit a lot of MBAs. It's a very specialized career path. A lot of the MBA hiring that luxury businesses are doing right now is they're recruiting students who come from places where luxury goods are increasingly purchased. So if you're Chinese and study at ESSEC, for instance, a luxury business might be interested in hiring you to open stores or work in operations in China.

Hey thanks a bunch for your revert. Yes I am from a growing econolomy India where luxury is picking up though as you rightly said it is a very neche segment and I feel it involves risk.
I do not know either of the languages for now. :(

So which out of the two schools is a better pick?

Thanks

French is easier to learn?

Hi Duncan - if that is a question then I really don't know as I haven't picked up learning French yet.
I have read several of your comments on other posts. Would you also have some insight to share for these prog in the respective schools.

Thank You

I suppose I am suggesting, rather than asking, that French is easier to learn than Italian.

Generally, when people ask which of two schools is better, they often have two schools which won't meet their needs. Focus on your career goals, and then kinds of schools which will make the transition. Then consider what are the schools cannot do, which you must do, to make this transition: how to build language skills and network.

Some readings to help you...
How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571
Do you need to speak the local language? www.find-mba.com/board/34713
Best schools for international students' placement http://www.find-mba.com/board/41143
ESSEC on placements for international students http://bit.ly/ESSECjobs
Luxury & Luxury Brand Management http://www.find-mba.com/board/24603

I think that if your goal is to work in the luxury sector in India, one of these schools in not a bad choice, as long as you get some practical experience in the European luxury sector while you do your MBA. Although, I'm still not convinced that this is a failsafe route into the business. It may just be easier to get a job in a luxury firm in India and work your way up the food chain.

Another option would be to do a program like HEC Paris' MBA, which is great for international mobility and might give you a wider range of options upon graduation. You could even do the luxury certificate option and get some luxury project experience.

Hi medhavi,

If you are interested in getting into the luxury industry, I would go for the ESSEC MBA in International Luxury Brand Management program because they have the best industry contacts and the program is 100% focused on the luxury industry. You don't have to know French to do the course (unless you want to work in France after) and at the moment, many luxury companies are looking for people to help them expand in Asia because it is an emerging market for them - so finding a job in India won't be a huge struggle.

I am not familiar with the other program so I can't comment on that.

If you are not 100% sure on the luxury industry, you are better off going for a generic Global MBA.

Hope this helps!

Hello Hipster :)- thanks for your message. HEC is a good option indeed but I wanna go restrictive on my investment as well. Essec seems to be reasonable compared to HEC and thus risk has to be evaluated. That's what I feel. People always say that generic is better and specialized limits the growth funnel. Which may be true. I have read lot of comments where it is said that Luxury is not well paid. How far is it true.? Also pls suggest the better one out of Essec and Bocconi.

[Edited by medhavi on Jun 15, 2015]

Hi Anialuna - Thanks for your revert. Asia is evolving in luxury but yes it would make more sense to come back with some work ex as it is not easier to find well paying jobs in India in luxury yet.

Would you have some references to make for the alumni from Essec who are into established roles today in luxury. Also I feel Dubai and Shanghai are much evolved markets for luxury. Hence is ESSEC widely known and best pick for recruiters.

Many Thanks - Medhavi

Hi Duncan - I have taken some cue from your links. Those are though older posts from 2011 and best what I have gathered is that Luxury is not well paid and Essec is a good option for Luxury studies.

I see you really contributing on this website - and with your experience could you suggest if I can derive an ROI given to the current economy in Europe. I mean education loan pay out in a span of a year or two. Having to pay that off in India would take me years :(

Also I have another observation - Essec does not have any internship option while Bocconi or EMLYON dedicate 6 months on internship which would add some value to the CV. What do you have to say about this.? on the hindsight Essec connect you with the industry experts on a personal level. I don't know how far its true.

Thank You

There's a good article on RoI at http://poetsandquants.com/2014/05/16/mba-programs-with-the-highest-first-year-roi/

Of course, high RoI will tend to mean low NPV, and I recommend that people focus on the long-term value, rather than sacrifice long-term goals like low fees or, indeed, internship experience.

Sure .. you have a point. Also could you please advice on options for MBA in Luxury Management of same value and credibility as I have just been given to understand that the application for 2015 is closed hence my chances are only for 2016 Sept intake in Essec for that matter.
That would delay the entire planning so to say.