How I Used My MBA To Switch Into Consulting
The MBA at Emlyon Business School gave Nhung access to the French job market Nhung Hoang knew she'd made a big decision when with her husband she decided to to start a new life in France, leaving behind a job in the Netherlands and starting fresh.
As well as the excitement of learning a new language and immersing herself in a new culture, Nhung felt the move could be the push she needed to change her career direction. After three years as a senior purchaser and inventory planner for Dutch computer hardware company, Supermicro, she wanted to move into consulting, specifically focused on the management of international supply chains. An online search later and she landed on the International MBA from Emlyon Business School, choosing to pursue the MBA’s International Strategy and New Venture Management track.
Why an MBA?
Nhung (pictured) already had a Master’s in International Business and Economics from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. However, to make her transition into a new job market smoother, she decided to apply to MBA programs in France.
She realized that while she had strong expertise in business and economics, she lacked the management and leadership skills essential for a successful career in consulting. To position herself for senior roles, she needed to strengthen these areas.
Although she had theoretical knowledge of macroeconomics in business, the Emlyon MBA put this into context—helping her understand:
• How does the macroeconomy impact international businesses?
• How do you adapt an international business to survive macroeconomic volatility?
“I wanted to improve my professional reputation,” Nhung explains. “I also want to launch my own international business one day. I would love to gain experience in the French job market and see how they compare to the rest of the world.”
“Knowing how to be a good leader––working across Europe and Asia––is essential to that. With this in mind, I knew an MBA would be perfect.”
Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone
While at Emlyon, Nhung studied alongside professionals from diverse backgrounds. She valued the opportunity to learn from their experiences while sharing her own insights.
The IMBA program challenged her in unexpected ways—particularly in public speaking. Previously, she lacked confidence in this area, but the MBA pushed her beyond her comfort zone.
During class exercises, she had to deliver one-minute pitches, persuading others to buy into a product or an idea. Though daunting at first, this experience helped her build confidence in public speaking and persuasive communication.
“Before the MBA, I never would have thought I could do that,” Nhung says. “It helped me realize that if I could overcome this challenge, what’s stopping me from stepping out of my comfort zone in my career?”