Jade and Yasmine Clercin: from EDHEC International BBA to the EDHEC MSc in Marketing, a successful study path

After attending the same school, you both chose EDHEC Business School. Why?

Jade: From kindergarten through primary school, middle school, high school, and finally higher education at EDHEC, we hardly ever really left each other's side. It was a natural and obvious choice for both of us, and full of advantages, being together and being able to work hand in hand and succeed. However, we were separated for a year in primary school and again for a year in high school. For the record, Yasmine and I have moved around France quite a lot and did our year 9 at Collège Jeanne d'Arc in Roubaix, which is very close to EDHEC, a sign of destiny maybe. We really wanted to try being on our own in a classroom. I have fond memories of it, but to be perfectly honest, I preferred being in class with my twin, my partner in life and in work. Then, at the end of high school, it was time to choose which higher education course to do. In the final year of high school, we did a lot of research on the Internet and at student fairs.

Yasmine: One day, we attended an EDHEC presentation. The business dimension, the international outlook, the specialisation options, and the professionalism of the course really appealed to us. From then on, I decided to do the EDHEC International BBA and Jade followed. In 2018, Jade and I joined EDHEC in Nice. We did a first general year and a second general year to develop our business management skills. We studied a wide range of subjects: Accounting, Fiscality, Marketing, Finance, Law, Geopolitics, Languages... We also ended the second year with an exchange to England for Jade and to Russia for me. The separation wasn't always easy, but the experience was incredible.

Jade: I surprised Yasmine by turning up in Russia. That’s a memory of a lifetime. Then we did a third and fourth year in marketing with a 6-month internship each year, in Paris for me and Lille for Yasmine. In the end, we spent a lot of time studying together, but a lot of time apart as well. Yasmine helped me a lot with my study programme, we’ve always supported and helped each other, which was a key factor. So, thank you Yasmine!

How did your first-year project go?

Yasmine: As part of the 1^st year BBA programme, we had an opportunity to set up our own association with some of our fellow students. My association was for sick children and Jade's association was for disabled children. Naturally, with our shared concern for children, we couldn’t have wished for anything better.

Jade: We really enjoyed taking part in the association project as part of the 1^st year BBA programme. It was an incredible and enriching experience.

Which events have stood out in your time at EDHEC?

Jade: We both loved our time at EDHEC because of the teaching quality, the reach and scope of the courses, our experiences in companies, and our exchanges abroad.

Yasmine: There are of course some encounters that made a real impact on us, both with regard to the professors and the cultural diversity of the student body. The highlights of our time at EDHEC would have to be our experience abroad and our transition from the BBA to the Master's degree programme. It’s a real source of personal pride to be able to carry on at such an amazing school.

You both decided to study for a Master of Science (MSc) in Marketing at EDHEC, why this choice?

Jade: After 4 enriching years at the EDHEC International BBA, we wanted to finish our studies with a fifth year. Naturally, we chose EDHEC because we love the quality of the teaching, the environment conducive to personal growth, and the values conveyed by EDHEC.

Yasmine: We began studying at EDHEC, so why not finish here? As we both studied for a BBA in Marketing specialisation, with a focus on retail & distribution management, doing an MSc in Marketing was totally in line with what we’ve done so far. Jade opted for the new MSc in Marketing Analytics and I opted for the MSc in Marketing Management. Our choice was completely spontaneous. I really liked the courses available in the MSc in Marketing Management. And EDHEC’s international reputation just confirmed my decision.

Jade: And I was attracted to the analytical aspect of the MSc in Marketing Analytics. Today, we're more than happy with our respective Master choices.

What are your plans for the future?

Jade: Having already completed several internships (sales in high-end ready-to-wear clothing, communications in a high-end hotel, packaging development for cosmetics brands, operational marketing for a fashion house), I'd like to move into the field of e-commerce and digital. I believe that this sector has a great future, especially with the growth in digitalisation. And I'd like to work in fashion and cosmetics. I'll let Yasmine talk about her career goals.

Yasmine: As part of the EDHEC International BBA programme, I did several internships in the consumer goods and luxury goods sectors. These fascinating learning experiences gave me new ideas career-wise. In my MSc in Marketing Management, I decided to specialise in luxury and fashion. The scope and interest of my courses have now prompted me to move into cosmetics and fashion... I'm interested in the product dimension, marketing and retail... what I’d like is to become a Product Manager.

What advice would you give to future students?

Jade: Every student will have a different view of the world around them and the importance they attach to their studies. In all humility, the advice we’d give to future students would be the following: work hard and always do your best. We would always go out of our way to get the results we wanted.

Yasmine: Be open-minded and consider all options. Be bold and dare to go out there. Open up to all opportunities and encounters to boost learning and build your experience.

Jade: And don't forget to take advantage of the great facilities at EDHEC: the swimming pool, the gym. We love going there.

Yasmine: Finally, the last bit of advice would be to make the choices that seem right to you, that match your values and ambitions.