From MSc to First Marketing Role : Sarah Cherbib’s experience
Sarah Cherbib
MSc in International Marketing & Business Development
International opportunity continues to draw students to business education. Through global partnerships, multinational employer connections, and diverse campuses, business schools provide an environment where international careers can take shape. Sarah Cherbib realized this vision through her MSc in International Marketing and Business Development at emlyon business school, which enabled her to bridge theory and practice and secure her first role as Marketing Executive at Marriott Paris.
Finding the right fit – choice of program
Before emlyon, Sarah studied a bachelor’s in business administration at LPAG business school in Paris. Through her bachelor’s she discovered that she was most drawn to how brands grow, adapt, and create value across different markets and cultures.
“What really defines my profile is this balance between strategic thinking and human insight. I’m very interested in consumer behavior, cultural differences, and how marketing decisions translate into real business development opportunities,” she says.
This insight allowed her to be critical when choosing a business school, and when Sarah found emlyon’s MSc in International Marketing and Business Development program she knew it was the perfect fit. “I wanted to focus on both marketing communication and the broader picture—how marketing supports market entry, growth strategies, and long-term brand development internationally… This MSc immediately resonated with me because it brings together these two dimensions,” she explains.
For Sarah, emlyon held a holistic attraction. Beyond academics, Sarah was also keen to join a school with such a strong international focus: emlyon has 220 international academic partnerships in 57 countries that enable nearly 2,000 emlyon students to study in institutions abroad. “I value emlyon’s strong international environment and its reputation for shaping agile, responsible, and globally minded professionals,” Sarah adds.
Inside the program
When Sarah started the program in international marketing at emlyon she had three main goals: to strengthen her strategic foundation, to gain a more concrete understanding of international markets, and to gain clarity and confidence about her career path. “I enrolled with the goal of becoming more strategic, more internationally aware, and better prepared to create impact in global marketing and business development roles.”
Sarah describes the program and experience as “intense, challenging, but incredibly rewarding and transformative.” emlyon places high expectations on MSc students; however, Sarah emphasizes that this level of rigor was beneficial. Through it she became more structured, resilient, and efficient in the way she works. “It pushed me to think strategically, make informed decisions, and connect theory with real business situations.”
While Sarah found the entire program valuable, a few courses stood out: Future of Marketing, Mindful Project Management, and New Ventures. In Future of Marketing, she learned to think beyond traditional frameworks and understand how modern trends, such as technology, consumer expectations, and sustainability, are evolving the world of marketing. On the other hand, Sarah describes Mindful Project Management as a “one-of-a-kind course”. Through real-life business simulations, emlyon encouraged the students to think outside the box and understand the realities and pressures of business situations. Finally, the course on New Ventures taught her how to build a business from the ground up. An intense but incredibly rewarding course, it gave her a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship, financial logic, and the realities behind launching and structuring a venture.
“These experiences not only enriched my academic knowledge but also contributed significantly to my personal growth and the way I now approach business challenges.”
A holistic approach to education
Beyond the rigorous and enriching academics, the program elevated her soft skills and ability to see marketing and business development holistically. Through group work, Sarah learned how to give and receive feedback more effectively and to take responsibility in a team. These lessons prepared her for the realities of business environments where teamwork and interpersonal skills are essential to success.
emlyon’s international and multicultural environment worked to enhance these learnings. Collaborating with people from all around the world showed Sarah how strategies shift across countries and regions, and success depends on understanding local contexts, cultures and economic realities: “this program doesn’t just teach marketing and business development, it shapes professionals who think strategically, act responsibly, and create meaningful growth.”
International exposure: Vietnam & Poland
One of the major elements that made emlyon stand apart for Sarah was how it prioritized international exposure. Not only through the multicultural environment cultivated at emlyon but also the opportunities to travel and learn about international businesses firsthand. These experiences involved an international semester and an international seminar. Sarah studied her international semester in Vietnam at CFVG School of Management.
Throughout the semester, Sarah prioritized immersing herself in this completely new culture and business environment. Through projects and case studies with local companies, as well as collaborating with peers from CFVG, Sarah levelled up her creative, flexible and proactive skills. “It helped me understand how strategies must be adapted for diverse economic and cultural contexts, which is an insight I now bring into every professional situation,” she says.
Another defining experience for Sarah was her international seminar in Poland, where she was able to visit a diverse range of local and international companies. These visits showed her firsthand how businesses operate in a growing economy and adapt to local challenges. It allowed her to apply the lessons she learned in class on the ground and see how companies navigate and problem-solve in person. “Experiencing it directly made the learning tangible and meaningful, and it really shaped the way I approach international business today.”
Career support & networking: turning study into opportunity
While building a roster of transferable skills was an invaluable part of her business school journey, emlyon’s career support (with the help of the Career Center) and networking opportunities were exceptional and instrumental in Sarah landing her job at Marriott Paris. Sarah says : “emlyon goes beyond teaching—it actively connects students with the professional world.”
Alumni remain an integral part of the emlyon fabric. Whether it’s sharing their experiences, giving advice or opening doors, the alumni community are active supporters of current students.
However, for Sarah, it was the job dating and recruitment events that were transformative and marked a turning point. She was able to meet professionals face-to-face, have meaningful conversations and secure interviews for her internship. It was also through these events that she discovered her interest in hospitality, a sector she hadn’t previously considered but where she landed her internship and ultimately her future career. “The school’s resources didn’t just guide me theoretically, but opened doors, created opportunities, and helped me take real steps toward my career,” she says.
Landing the role: Marriott Paris
Sarah’s journey towards her current role at Marriott Paris began at emlyon: following the job dating events, Sarah began focusing her efforts on the hospitality industry. She gathered information, met professionals within the industry and learned all about how the sector works. “People shared advice, pointed me to opportunities, and even gave me contacts to reach out to,” she explains.
Through this research and networking, she secured an interview with Marriott Paris Rive Gauche Hotel. Sarah realized from the very first meeting that it was a perfect match and she was offered a six-month marketing internship. From market analysis and strategic positioning to cross-cultural communication, throughout the internship, she drew on the skillset she built up with the MSc in International Marketing and Business Development. “I felt prepared, confident, and able to contribute meaningfully from day one,” she says, noting that the program’s emphasis on real business cases and applied learning helped her adapt quickly to a professional environment.
Her performance during the internship led Marriott to create an exceptional fixed-term (CDD) Marketing Executive role, marking her transition into her first full-time position. “It’s fast-paced, people-oriented, and requires both strategic thinking and sensitivity to diverse client profiles, which is exactly how we were trained throughout the program.”
Overall, the program in international marketing imbued Sarah with an understanding of marketing and the business world that has allowed her to flourish in a professional role.
“I feel very privileged to have studied at emlyon. The school didn’t just prepare me to get a job; it prepared me to represent its values and carry its legacy in a professional environment. I’m genuinely proud of my school, and choosing this program was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made”, she concludes.