Xinru Li, HEC Paris MBA Class of 2025
Age: 28
Home country: China
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Shanghai University of International Business and Economics; Major in Business French, Minor in Finance investment banking
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): 5 years working at CHANEL as Merchandise Planner/Forecaster in luxury cosmetics industry for China and US Market
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After five years working in the luxury industry under the same planning function, I would like to explore more possibilities of my career path, either pivoting into other sectors or shifting into other functions, and meanwhile, expand my global network.
Why did you choose HEC Paris? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There are a few key factors:
- The Location – Paris has always been my dream city. Personally and professionally, it plays a key role in the luxury universe.
- The Reputation – HEC Paris is one of the most prestige business schools and has a great reputation in the luxury industry with long-term partnerships with many luxury brands
- The powerful alumni network – HEC Paris owns the greatest global alumni network across all continents with an incredibly positive environment of helping each other out
- The diversity of the class – The MBA class represents 60 nationalities with 93% international students, which perfectly fits my career goal to be an international talent
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
My personal & professional experience of living and working in Shanghai and New York in the past ten years will bring some interesting knowledge of these two international cities with professional insights of the Chinese market and the US Market in the luxury industry
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a foodie 100% and also an adventurous eater, I love all types of cuisines from all over the world and have a high tolerance for exotic ingredients
Post-MBA career interests:
I would like to explore other career possibilities and potentially pivot into strategy/management consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Think through your motivation for pursuing an MBA program at HEC Paris and demonstrate your international exposure in your application
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Reach out to as many HEC Paris MBA alumni as I could to get to know the school and the program
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
browsed the school website to get information for the program – The info/alumni sessions hosted by the school helped me to get more information in a more straightforward way
What is your initial impression of the HEC Paris students/culture/community?
HEC Paris is such a warm community – all the students I met here are always showing their support and their willingness to help
What is one thing you have learned about HEC Paris that has surprised you?
Networking is the king in the business world – Start training your network skills from Day 1
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The tension of the preparation for consulting case interview
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
To get to know new people in my cohort personally and professionally
