From Academia to Career Triumph: Stories of three MENA graduates navigating the fields of Marketing, Tech, and Business

Zeina Jaafar

Zeina Jaafar, a graduate of the MSc. in International Commerce & Digital Marketing, hails from Lebanon and presently works for Laboratories Théa. According to Zeina, marketing holds a pivotal role for every company. Her experience with the program was invaluable, providing exposure to various facets, topics, and areas within the field of marketing, coupled with the acquisition of skills in crafting digital plans.

Within the communication team at Laboratories Théa, Zeina is actively engaged in media and content creation. Recognizing the importance of securing her employment, she strategically targeted international companies based in Clermont-Ferrand. Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, Zeina directly reached out to potential employers, a method that proved particularly effective for her.

Zeina’s journey underscores the practical application of the knowledge gained during her master’s program. By proactively networking and tailoring her approach to the digital landscape, she not only secured her position but also highlighted the real-world relevance of the skills cultivated through her academic endeavors.

Hend Eltalkhawy

Hend Eltalkhawy, a Solution Area Sales Specialist at Microsoft – Ireland is from Egypt, she is a testament to the impactful journey from ESC Clermont Business School to the forefront of the tech industry. Hend began her academic journey at ESC Clermont, expanding her global perspective with a double-degree from Dublin Business School in Ireland.

With prior experience at Twitter, Hend transitioned to Microsoft, drawn to the tech giant’s emphasis on diversity and exposure. Aligned with her own, Microsoft’s focus on flexibility, trust, and work-life balance has been pivotal in Hend’s professional growth.

Hend underscores the abundant opportunities for growth in the tech sector, propelled by its constant evolution and innovation. The key to success as per Hend, includes setting clear objectives, being proactive, getting involved in diverse experiences, and building a robust CV through internships.

Ali Rammal

During his master‘s at ESC Clermont Business School, Ali Rammal from Lebanon closed the gap between his background in Applied Math and Economics and business skills through targeted courses, practical experience, and networking. He chose courses like finance and marketing, gaining insight into real-world business scenarios and then pursued internships, honing skills in data analysis and modeling. Collaborative projects integrated his quantitative skills with business concepts.

Ali completed his second year of Master’s through an apprenticeship in the giant French Oil & Gas company Total. ESC Clermont supported his transition with career services, an alumni network, industry partnerships, and practical projects.

At Total, he designed training programmes, evaluated effectiveness, and focused on a growth mindset, communication, and strategic thinking. Lessons learned include embracing growth, strong communication, and strategic decision-making.

Apprenticeships offer practical experience, a smooth academia-to-work transition, and exposure to real-world tasks.

Ali’s main advice for Lebanese students seeking to join CAC 40 groups is to look for Master programs that foster and that provide knowledge and skills aligned with industry needs.