Estefany Beccar

“Curious by nature, resourceful under pressure, and empathetic and approachable in every interaction”

Class / Grad Year: HEC Paris MBA Class of 2025

Current Employer / Role: Product Manager at Kering Group

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

Not exactly, and that’s the beauty of it. When I started the MBA, I imagined continuing in technology, especially as a woman passionate about increasing female representation in the field. But I also made a conscious choice to stay open to new paths.

Luxury retail was never part of my plan, yet HEC’s network shifted my perspective. Through my marketing specialization, casual conversations with classmates, and advice from professors, I discovered how technology and luxury intersect in fascinating ways. When Kering offered me a product management role, it felt like the perfect blend of my skills with an industry I hadn’t considered but was excited to explore.

Too often, people stress about having a “perfect” post-MBA plan. My own journey, from government consulting in Washington, DC, to luxury product management in Paris, was a complete transformation across industry, function, and region. The MBA didn’t just equip me with new skills; it gave me the confidence to seize opportunities I couldn’t have imagined before.

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

My choice was strategic: I wanted to expand my global network. Having grown up in Bolivia and built my career in the US and Latin America, I realized I was missing exposure to other regions and ways of working. I wanted to broaden my perspective by immersing myself in a truly international environment.

HEC delivered on every front. The international cohort was exactly what I was looking for, though I underestimated just how enriching it would be. Being based near Paris opened networks and industries I never thought were accessible to someone with my background. It wasn’t just about getting an MBA, it was about strategically positioning myself as a truly global professional.

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

The MBA helped me realize that I’m someone who can adapt quickly and wear many hats. I may not know how to do something at first, but I’ll figure it out. Throw me in the deep end and I’ll make it through, always with curiosity and determination. The program gave me both the tools and the confidence to emerge stronger from challenges. While I might not be an expert in every subject, I’ve built a solid foundation across business areas, and more importantly, a truly global perspective thanks to my exposure to different countries, industries, and cultures throughout this experience.

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

The Outdoor Leadership Seminar stands out as a defining memory. This two-day, military-led bootcamp pushed us into physical and mental discomfort to practice leadership under pressure. Each of us had the chance to lead a team through demanding tasks, from negotiating with “enemies” to building a raft or jumping off a building.

It revealed how I react under stress and what I need to improve when facing difficult situations. Beyond the challenges, it brought me closer to classmates as we allowed our vulnerabilities to surface. It was one of those rare out-of-classroom experiences that reshaped how I view leadership.

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

I don’t think I ever truly “balanced” work, school, and personal life during the MBA, but maybe that’s the point. The program overwhelms you with choices and forces you to prioritize in ways you’ve never had to before.

I learned this lesson the hard way during MBAT (HEC’s inter-business school tournament). I wanted to do everything—compete in multiple sports, volunteer on the organizing team, catch up with friends visiting from other schools, and attend every event. I pushed myself too far and hit a breaking point.

That experience taught me that the MBA isn’t about perfect balance, it’s about learning to make strategic choices under pressure. You discover what truly matters to you when you can’t have it all. The biggest challenge wasn’t the MBA workload itself, but accepting that saying “no” to some opportunities meant saying “yes” to being fully present for others.

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

The MBA taught me to adapt to whatever the professional world throws my way. Exposure to diverse topics, cultures, and challenges helped me build versatility rather than a single narrow expertise. I learned to approach problems from multiple angles and draw connections across fields that might seem unrelated. This adaptability now allows me to lead with confidence across industries and environments.

It also made me more perceptive—both socially and analytically—in my personal and professional life. Interacting with people from different backgrounds and industries expanded my horizons beyond the path I had followed before. It’s like removing blinders from a horse: suddenly you see not only what’s around you, but also how you can engage with it all.

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

Come with an open mind and be ready to embrace discomfort. You bring years of experience into the MBA, but HEC challenges you to see yourself, and your future, in new ways. If you commit to that growth, this period of uncertainty becomes one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

And my biggest advice: stop over-planning. Let the program surprise you. If you wait for the “perfect” timing or try to script every step, you risk missing the very opportunities that will shape your journey. The MBA isn’t about following a plan, it’s about discovering possibilities you didn’t know existed.

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