ROI results: What is the value of a business master’s in Europe?

At HEC Paris Business School, the two-year master’s in management (MiM) programme is structured in two parts.  

The first year is focused on the broad field of business and management, with a mixture of core modules and elective modules. Students can then take a gap year where they can earn some professional experience. In the programme’s second year, students will specialise in one of 20 specialisations depending on their career aspirations. 

Eduard Martínez-Marí Vall is a second-year student at HEC Paris specialising in the finance major on the MiM programme.  

For Eduard, the return on investment of his business master’s is a combination of professional and personal growth. HEC Paris’ master’s in management helped Eduard decide on the career path he wanted to follow. 

“The program structure allowed me to build my own learning experience. During the gap year, I was able to learn from and try different industries to decide which career path I wanted to follow.” 

During his gap year, Eduard had the opportunity to join a Telco company in Spain and completed an internship at a top-tier consulting strategy firm. Eduard credits these experiences to HEC Paris, which holds regular recruiting events and fairs, allowing students to meet successful alumni and companies from a variety of industries.  

He said: “Studying at HEC Paris opened the door for me to the best professional opportunities.”  

“Across these varied experiences, I was able to put into practice everything that I had learned and also continue learning and deciding which career path I would like to pursue in the future.  

Since his gap year, Eduard has been offered a role at a prestigious consultancy firm.  

Eduard said: "The MiM degree allows you to access very varied work experience opportunities to really focus and design your career towards your own personal goals and aspirations with a clear focus on having positive impact on society, promoting values such as excellence, diversity and social responsibility.” 

Aside from the tangible financial benefits of doing a business master’s, both Claire and Eduard have been able to build a strong network of contacts.  

“A business master’s degree is an incredible experience that allows you to connect with a very international and diverse group of students and also grow from a personal point of view, while building lifelong friendships,” said Eduard.  

Looking to the future, Claire hopes to become a CMO in digital marketing for an international company within a luxury brand office such as in Dubai or New York. She believes that the skills and relationships she has built in her business master’s will help her achieve this.  

“The programme helped develop my analytical mindset. It also improved my leadership and people management skills which I now use when managing a team,” she said. 

Eduard’s goal is to have a career that will make a positive impact on society. 

He said: “HEC and the master’s in management have allowed me to join the industry where I want to start my career.  

“It has provided me with the tools to be successful in this job and any other project, industry or position that I decide to join in the future. It will help me pursue a fulfilling and successful career while having a positive impact on business and society.”