Sally Ghaly

HEC Paris

“Adventurous, curious, eager. Egyptian-American who enjoys mental math, her own jokes and learning something new.”

Hometown: Voorhees, New Jersey, USA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am an amateur aerialist in my spare time!

Undergraduate School and Major: New York University – Gallatin School of Individualized Study; Media and Cultural Studies, Minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Viacom International Media Networks – Nickelodeon International; Content Management and Acquisitions Coordinator

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career thus far would be my growth as a manager of the departmental interns. As someone who has previously endured the notorious internships of the fashion industry, it has always been of utmost importance for me to build a positive, supportive, and educational environment for those I manage. One of the most rewarding feelings for me to this day is receiving an email from a former intern and hearing how our experience contributed to where they are now. Their success feels like an extension of my own.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Although I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting any of my classmates, from our various multiplatform groups and chats, there is a clear sense of collaboration and community. We seem to be a group of like-minded and ambitious individuals, eager to make connections as we embark on this journey together. The organization, initiative, and inclusivity of my classmates as we finalize our preparations for school has been both impressive and inspiring. Despite not yet meeting anyone personally, I am excited by the sense of community and support I have already witnessed.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? One of the key factors that led me to choose HEC Paris was the abundance of opportunity for customization. As someone who is curious to study several areas and industries, it was important for me to know that I would have many opportunities for exploration throughout my studies. From certificate programs and double degrees to international exchanges and specializations, there are numerous ways to make this experience unique and applicable to individual interests.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? As someone who never shies away from an opportunity to showcase some sprit, I am most looking forward to MBAT. Though I may lack the coordination of a more competitive participant, I am most excited to hopefully play a part in the planning and organization of the event itself. I look forward to warmly welcoming and engaging with students from other institutions and of course, supporting my fellow classmates!

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? The most challenging question I was asked during the admissions process related to my presentation, which compared the influence and representation of the Middle East, and specifically Egypt, in American media (and vice versa). I was asked if I felt the narratives and portrayals of the Middle East in Western media, which in recent years seem to be almost exclusively tied to war and terrorism, was lazy writing on the part of content creators. Though perhaps this could warrant a simple answer on the surface, the role of media within society is, on the contrary, quite complicated. For me, these answers rarely fit neatly in a black and white, yes/no scenario. For me, this posed a larger societal question regarding the duty and role of media and how – and even if – we should portray ongoing international crises from a singular perspective. It is a question I have continued to think about.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? The entertainment industry can feel so big and so small at the same time. While the career paths within television alone seemed never-ending, I couldn’t help but consider everything I didn’t know, all of the opportunity that still lay in places and industries I didn’t know existed. After a few years in the same role, I had reached a point where the next step in my career was becoming imminent, whether a promotion or move within the company or a move to a new industry altogether. With so many options ahead of me, and aspirations of continuing to grow and one day lead, it felt incredibly fitting to pursue an MBA. In this way, I could open myself up to these opportunities, broaden my understanding and exposure to other fields and industries of interest, while gaining the skills and knowledge I knew would be required of the types of positions I aspired to hold.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I also applied to ESMT Berlin, the Lisbon MBA and Oxford: Said.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I determined my fit at various schools by prioritizing the following factors: the focus on inclusivity and diversity, the opportunities for customization, and the career progression of alumni. I used a multitude of resources to conduct research, including rankings of international MBA programs, literature provided by the schools themselves, and speaking directly with alumni, which proved to be the most enlightening for me.  There is no better way to determine the culture or impact of a program on one’s future than to speak to those with first-hand experience. In being able to connect with former students, I was not only able to better imagine my life as a student but also the wide range of career paths upon graduation.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was when I first graduated from university and decided to take a few months to volunteer with an NGO in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, followed by my first encounter with solo travel. This brief yet impactful experience was a reminder in the years to follow of the many avenues my career could take, from non-profit to entertainment and beyond. It allowed me to keep an open mind and not box myself in, ultimately, leading me to quit my job for a year of travel and apply to the HEC Paris MBA.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Every day, I see my future self in countless scenarios. I still don’t know what I don’t know and believe my opportunities are endless. In ten years, I see myself living and working in a multi-cultural context, leading others and hopefully making a positive impact and meaningful contribution to society.