Francesca Limjuco

“Kind of nomadic. I divide my time between the Philippines, Paris, Las Vegas and New York”

Class / Grad Year: Class of 2022

Current Employer / Role: Balengiaga, SAP Transformation PMO

Is this the industry and role you envisioned yourself in upon entering the program?

I would say yes. I was targeting the luxury industry post-graduation but more so on the business strategy side, so it’s a bit of a surprise to myself to land in Operations with no previous background in Ops or Supply Chain. I love it though and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why was HEC Paris and their MBA program the right fit for you among all of the options out there?

Yes, because the school has very strong ties to the luxury industry and also my transition to the working world was seamless because of the advantages of finishing the MBA program at HEC in terms of immigration.

How has the program helped you grow personally or professionally since graduating?

In terms of personal growth, I met such a solid group of friends from HEC who I consider family. Professionally, HEC has one of the strongest alumni networks. If I ever need to pick someone’s brain, I know I’ll always have support.

What’s a standout moment or memory from your time at HEC Paris that really stuck with you?

The Global MBA Regatta in Microlimano, Greece. It was such an idyllic time with a great group of people and although we only won 2nd place that year, HEC won the Trophy for the next two consecutive years, so I like to think that we set the stage!

How did you balance your work/school/home life during your degree? What were the biggest challenges?

I did the MBA during COVID so that came with its own unique set of challenges. I did part of the program remotely from the US and it was challenging to follow the courses because of the time zone. Nevertheless, it made me more resilient and allowed me to build a different bond with my peers as we all processed the craziness of that time.

What are some of the biggest takeaways or skills you gained from the MBA experience?

Pre-MBA I felt like I lived in a bubble. I had a great career in hospitality and was on a good trajectory but that’s pretty much all I knew living in Las Vegas. Embarrassingly enough, I didn’t even know what Consulting or PE was prior to HEC. The biggest takeaway I gained from doing an MBA is that the world is my oyster. HEC opened not only windows of opportunity for me but also gave me the confidence to go after what I want. I still get pinch-me moments working in fashion and I’m always so grateful that my education has taken me this far.

What is your advice for those who are considering applying to the HEC Paris MBA program?

Be true to yourself. Earlier in the program, I somehow felt lost in a school of fish where everyone was going towards Consulting, Tech, and Finance. But half of my classmates who got into those industries ended up pivoting within two years. Working in these sectors is great, because they are financially rewarding and you’ll have amazing exit opportunities; however, you should do things for the right reasons. If you feel like you want to do McKinsey and Amazon to get in and get out, you won’t be invested, and you’ll hate it.

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