Paul-Emeric Willette

“Meet someone seeking to live a thousand lives — enthusiastic explorer, beauty admirer, deep listener”

Class / Grad Year: Class of 2020

Current Employer / Role: Carsup / Head of Sales

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

What we’re building at Carsup sits at the intersection of Automotive, Luxury & Tech, the exact three industries that I was aiming for during the MBA. I honestly couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome than combining all three.

I’m always candid with applicants, students, and recent alumni: it can take time and a few steps to get where you truly want to be after an MBA. Your degree and the HEC network provide an incredible toolbox — then it’s about making intentional moves toward your goal.

In my case, it took three key steps to land in this niche sector of luxury cars concierge services. As a former sales engineer, transitioning into a Head of Sales role felt like a natural evolution. It brings together strategy, leadership, and people skills — a perfect mix drawn from my experience, my interests, and everything I gained from the MBA.

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

From a European standpoint and as someone born in France, it might seem unusual to pursue an MBA in your home country, especially when one of my goals was to internationalize my profile.

Still, the HEC Paris MBA felt like the obvious choice. It was the most internationally diverse program, with over 60 nationalities represented in our class. Combined with the fact that most of us lived on campus, this created a strong multicultural community that remains active and supportive even five years after graduation. I also had the opportunity to spend a term on exchange at NYU Stern, which added a global academic perspective.

Another goal was to explore different industries and functions. The length of the program, the diversity of student profiles, and the breadth of topics covered allowed me to do just that. In addition, there were numerous opportunities to connect with industry leaders, which made it the right environment for the career exploration and transition I was aiming for.

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

“Since graduating” are exactly the words I would have used — because the HEC experience hasn’t really stopped for me.

Of course, many of the academic learnings remain highly relevant and applicable across different professional contexts. But beyond that, alumni from other schools often point out how rich and active post-MBA life is at HEC.

Whether it’s my close circle of friends, our class WhatsApp group – for quick business advice or an impromptu meetup while traveling — or the events organized by HEC alumni clubs, the sense of community is incredibly strong.

I’ve lost count of the business opportunities, potential collaborations, and memorable human encounters that have come my way over the past five years, all thanks to the program.

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

My very first day on campus — when it all became real.
Before the program even started, our class had already created an online community. We were chatting regularly, making group video calls, and some of us even met in person. It was a way to get to know each other early on — and for those who wanted to learn French, even a way to start practicing!

Then came the day when we all arrived on campus. It all came to life: already familiar faces from around the world, finally gathering in one place. That moment captured the energy, diversity, and excitement that would define the rest of the journey.

Just last month, our class celebrated its 5-year reunion. Many classmates flew back to Paris for the occasion. One of the most symbolic moments was taking a group picture in front of the student housing building – the very place where it all began.

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

I followed the full-time HEC MBA program, so I didn’t have a professional commitment alongside my studies.

The real challenge was balancing academics, career events, social opportunities, and home life — including time with my partner.

There are simply too many opportunities in a single day, so it’s all about making choices. Beyond mandatory classes and group work, a typical day might involve choosing between a conference with an inspiring Tech or Luxury leader, a multicultural dinner, an alumni afterwork gathering in Paris, a 5K run with your friends around the campus lake or fine-tuning your resume for an upcoming recruiting event.

During my first month, an MBA “elder” gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me: “Don’t fall into the trap of focusing on only one area — time will fly”. Of course, everyone has their own priorities, but as an explorer, I tried to keep a balanced and curious agenda. Looking back, it was the best advice I could have received.

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

Coming from a non-business background, the program allowed me to acquire or strengthen a wide range of hard skills — from Corporate Finance to Organizational Behavior, for instance. This solid business foundation continues to support me in my daily work, as well as in both internal and external professional interactions.

There’s no doubt that the program also helped me build greater self-confidence, especially in high-pressure or ambiguous situations, which I now navigate much more comfortably.

Beyond the formal training, one of the most valuable aspects was being surrounded by such a wide variety of inspiring individuals. In their pre-MBA lives, many classmates had impressive successes — but also demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of failure. Their examples gave me perspective, made me less risk-averse, and helped me develop a more thoughtful approach to assessing risk.

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

“Know why you’re doing it.”
There are countless reasons to pursue an MBA, whether it’s to fast-track a career in consulting, pivot to a new industry, launch a venture with solid business foundations, or simply explore a world of possibilities.

All of these are valid but having a clear why will help you make meaningful choices and set priorities during the program — because you can’t do it all, and time flies.

That said, stay open-minded. It’s entirely possible that your goals shift – slightly or significantly — along the way. Wouldn’t that be the true sign of a transformative experience? Be ready for unexpected encounters and unplanned opportunities. They might just mark the beginning of the rest of your life.

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