Learn about Siddhant Sharma’s unique journey from EDHEC Business School to a coveted role as Financial Controller at L’Oréal Luxury. Discover how a double degree in Management and Accounting & Finance helped Siddhant turn academic excellence and extracurricular experiences into career success in the luxury industry.
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Siddhant Sharma’s academic journey at EDHEC Business School was truly pivotal. Starting his studies at their Lille campus and later continuing in Nice, France, he had the opportunity to immerse himself in the EDHEC experience and French culture fully. His time at EDHEC laid the foundation for a successful career post-graduation. Originally from India, Siddhant was drawn to EDHEC Business School for its reputation in Europe as one of the top business schools. EDHEC Business School was ranked #7 in Europe in the Financial Times 2023 ranking. Its well-rounded programs that combine theoretical learning and practical application were another appealing factor.
Siddhant completed the two-year academic program, Master in Management (MiM) – Business Management track. He describes the program as balanced, noting that it seamlessly mixes courses, teamwork, networking opportunities with companies in France, and a one-year professional immersion year. In the first year, students complete foundational academic business management courses. In the second year, students can do a year of professional immersion with two six-month internships. This gives students a valuable chance to learn about French work culture, gain work experience, and network professionally. In the third year, students need to specialize in an area of business. His internships helped him discover his passion for finance, and Siddhant chose to specialize in Accounting and Finance. His second internship with L’Oréal helped him land a permanent position at L’Oréal after graduation.
Although initially hesitant about the one-year professional immersion, he now considers it one of his favorite parts of the program. He reflects, “I would say, to this day, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. It’s actually the reason why I came back to L’Oréal. It was just amazing.” (04:57)
The program structure allowed him to delve deeper into core business principles and gain first-hand work experience before advancing into a specialization. The internship also served as an excellent stepping stone toward his current role. The program gave him a well-rounded perspective that has been invaluable in his current career.
While academics and career preparation are central to the EDHEC Business School experience, Siddhant emphasizes the diverse and international environment at EDHEC. As an international student from abroad, he notes that his international cohort, the bustling student life on campus, and many student clubs helped him feel right at home.
He shares, “I would say that the Student Life at EDHEC is extremely dynamic, super international, and you just have so much to do in different aspects of life.” (00:25)
The opportunity to mingle with students from all over the world, both in his classes and through extracurricular clubs, helped him expand his network, build a community, and make lifelong friends.
Networking opportunities, vibrant student life, and the inspiring, diverse people he met during his studies helped Siddhant make the most of his time at the school.
EDHEC’s vibrant campus life significantly shaped its students’ overall experiences, and Siddhant was no exception. The school offers a lively and international student community, exposing students to different cultures and experiences.
Siddhant highlights, “The university focuses a lot on an international environment. You have a chance to be a part of a lot of clubs, they have a huge association culture…I really had an absolutely amazing time at this school, being able to meet some super interesting people and to have exposure to a lot of different things that I never did in the past.” (01:20)
Siddhant took full advantage of EDHEC’s numerous student associations and clubs. He was involved in the Consulting Club, where he started as an event organizer and later became Vice-President. Through the club, he met industry professionals and networked with established companies such as McKenzie and Accenture.
During his studies, his team also won the Business Innovation Challenge 2020. Being pushed out of his comfort zone to present a business idea in front of 700 people was a pivotal experience for him. “That was extremely special for me. I’ve always had a fear of being on stage – that broke; I think it was the team that gave me that energy… Now I love to present…This is a skill that I wouldn’t have learned if it wasn’t for this experience.” (12:08)
During his studies, Siddhant collaborated with peers, competed in competitions, and networked with industry professionals. These experiences helped him develop lifelong skills and gave him a competitive edge in the job market.
One of the standout features of EDHEC’s academic offerings is the seamless transition between its various programs. For Siddhant, this meant moving smoothly from the Master in Management – Business Management track into the MSc in Accounting & Finance. At EDHEC, students in their last year of the MiM program complete an MSc. In Siddhant’s case, while he chose a business management track, he was able to specialize in his final year in finance via the MSc in Accounting & Finance. EDHEC students have the advantage of being able to tailor their academic journey to match their career aspirations and interests. This allowed him to gain both general business knowledge and specialized expertise in finance.
His two internships in financial controlling in his second year helped him develop his interest in finance. The opportunity to specialize in the third year enabled Siddhant to tailor his educational experience to his career goals. This academic progression helped him build a strong foundation in both areas, preparing him for the diverse challenges of his role as Financial Controller at L’Oréal Luxury.
Thanks to EDHEC’s career services and strong connections with top employers, Siddhant secured a prestigious position as a Financial Controller at L’Oréal Luxury. His role involves managing financial reporting, overseeing budgets, and ensuring the company’s financial goals align with its overall business strategy.
The practical skills Siddhant gained at EDHEC, including financial know-how, strategic decision-making, and leadership development, have proven invaluable in his current role. The course Strategic Management was especially helpful for his everyday work at L’Oréal.
In addition to technical skills, EDHEC also focuses on developing soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. He notes that alongside the skills and knowledge he gained, he also developed a new mindset during his studies. “I would like to talk about the mindset; this is because of the people around me, the students that we had at EDHEC. It is a ‘making a mark’ and ‘going beyond what is expected of you’ mindset. It’s about making an impact.” (13:55)
Siddhant carried this mindset that he developed at EDHEC Business School into his everyday work. For example, every year, Siddhant goes with L’Oréal representatives to speak to current students at EDHEC Business School. He has stayed deeply connected with the school as an alumnus. Every year, he shares his journey with current students and hopes to inspire them. He also aids recruitment efforts between his team and the new interns at L’Oréal.
Siddhant Sharma’s story is a testament to the opportunities that EDHEC Business School provides. From its well-rounded Master in Management program to its specialized MSc in Accounting & Finance, EDHEC equips its students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to excel in their chosen careers.
Beyond the skills and knowledge that students gain, graduates leave EDHEC Business School with lifelong friendships, a connected community, and a mindset of excellence.
Discover more about EDHEC, and contact one of their student ambassadors to learn more about their first-hand study experience.
