The EDHEC Career Centre has been recognized by the Financial Times for its top-ranking services. Led by Ann Leclair, the Centre’s tailored approach connects the dots between world-class education and the global job market.
When you first start a master’s degree, life after graduation can seem too far away to think about. But the best business schools know that planning your career while in school is invaluable to your future career development.
At EDHEC Business School, the Career Centre is particularly skilled at making students’ dream careers a reality. In fact, for the last three years, the Financial Times MiM ranking has found that EDHEC has the best career service in France.
Ann Leclair, Head of the EDHEC Career Centre, shares their success comes from specialized support and EDHEC’s extensive network.
“The Career Centre at EDHEC Business School is a bridge between education and professional success, She says. “We support and prepare students for a complex, competitive, and international job market. Our Career Centre plays a crucial role in two ways: first, by guiding students toward successful careers, and second, by offering connections with employers.” (0:16)
The success of the EDHEC Career Centre is measured by its stellar placement rates. According to EDHEC’s 2023 Placement Report, nearly half of all job placements are facilitated through the Centre, with 90% of graduates finding roles that perfectly align with their career ambitions.
For example, the majority of graduates specializing in finance find careers in corporate finance (M&A, PE, coverage, venture capital, private debt) and financial markets (sales, trading, asset management, hedge funds, transaction services).
Beyond that, Ann says, “EDHEC graduates obtain top positions in mainly finance, consulting, marketing, and business development.” (5:38)
Remarkably, 59% secure positions before leaving school.
Additionally, the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) roles is growing, with over half of the jobs now incorporating CSR elements. This is a substantial increase from previous years and shows how seriously EDHEC is taking its commitment to sustainability. (6:32)
The array of career opportunities in today’s job market can be overwhelming. With so many roles across different sectors, finding the perfect match is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
So how is it that nearly all of EDHEC’s graduates are finding their dream jobs?
EDHEC’s approach is to narrow the scope of the job search process by having specialized career advisors.
“Our Career Centre team is organized by business expertise,” Ann explains. “We have a career centre dedicated to business management roles and also a career centre dedicated to finance. This organization enables us to better meet the expectations of our students and the job market. This is a very differentiating strength when it comes to supporting our students.” (3:00)
Building on this foundation of specialized guidance, the Career Booster program is an integral part of the Career Centre’s offerings. The program focuses on defining career objectives, providing career training, and facilitating direct connections with potential employers through regular recruitment events.
The program considers each student’s needs and objectives in their specific stage of professional development. Here, too, they follow a sectoral approach to prepare students for specific sector requirements. Those sectors range from luxury goods to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to gaming and consulting.
The Career Booster program includes students taking on practical training in assessment centers. Ann describes the role of the assessment centers as “reproducing the real-life conditions of recruiter selection processes in the job market. Each student has a full day of tests, group exercises, case studies, and individual interviews with professionals and experts and receives feedback on the spot. It’s really good training and highly appreciated by our students.” (2:13)
Cultivating extensive industry connections contributes to the Career Centre’s exceptional reputation. Partnering with companies across industries and countries helps the Centre stay relevant in its career guidance support.
Ann confirms a staggering number of connections. “We have 100 corporate partners and more than 350 companies in our portfolio across various sectors such as consulting, FMCG, auditing, financial services, retail, and luxury.” (3:37)
More than 400 companies participate in EDHEC Career Centre events annually. These events include recruitment fairs, networking sessions, presentations, challenges, sector days, and company treks in various European cities. Each provides opportunities for students to build connections with companies and develop relevant employability skills.
Additionally, while the trips can help students find potential employers, graduates aren’t geographically limited.
“They start their careers mainly in Europe (with France, UK, Luxembourg, and Germany) and also in China and the US”, says Ann. (6:25)
The Placement Report statistics reveal that graduates accepted jobs in 39 different countries overall. And the alumni are more than happy to give back to their community.
“When the Career Centre organizes events, we always have alumni sharing their journeys, successes, and challenges,” Ann confirms. “This inspires students and helps them broaden their vision. Alumni provide information on companies, sectors, and job market trends. They enable students to discover relevant internships, jobs, and projects. They help us get in touch with employers, share opportunities, and train students in mock interviews. In essence, they are key to helping students land their dream jobs.” (8:45)
The EDHEC Career Centre’s reputation is well deserved, given its robust network of support, industry connections, and tailored guidance. Whether you’re starting your career or looking to leap to the next level, the EDHEC Career Centre is equipped to help you achieve your professional goals.
Do you want to know more about how the EDHEC Career Centre can boost your career opportunities? Visit the Ambassadors page to connect with EDHEC students who are keen to share their experiences with you.
