Barriatou’lah Achimi, HEC MBA Class of 2020
Age: 30
Hometown: Porto-Novo (Benin)
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Chimie Paristech (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris) – Chemical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry):
I worked for 4.5 years as a project engineer in waste treatment. I led projects related to conception, construction, and cost optimization of waste recycling plants and thermal plants. I felt my learning curve begin to flatten and longed for a challenge.
So I switched to consulting in industrial competitiveness for 15 months at a French consulting firm. I led the planning and implementation of an industrial transfer and was involved in designing cost projections for industrial products.
It was a great experience that taught me a lot about myself but it was not transformative enough. I realized I still needed solid business skills.
Why business school? Why now?
I came to a point in my career where I needed to broaden the scope of my professional possibilities. I wanted to be easily employable abroad, develop my management and business skills, get out of my comfort zone, work on my self-confidence, and develop my leadership.
The MBA was the perfect way to achieve all these objectives.
Why HEC? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
First, I did not choose American MBAs mostly to reduce the 2-year duration of the MBA. HEC Paris offers a 16-month MBA program, which is a good compromise for me. Plus, HEC Paris is in the top 2 French MBA programs.
Second, diversity is a core value at HEC Paris, which cultivates the strong international exposure I crave. At HEC Paris, students are integrated in working groups, which are as mixed and as complementary as possible. All that makes the experience even more enriching.
Third, HEC Paris develops partnerships with many other prestigious institutions all over the world. For instance, the partnership with Wharton, which is famous for finance, was an asset with regards to my intended post-MBA career plan.
Finally, the strong and dynamic alumni community was also a major motivation. HEC Paris has one the largest African alumni community and is one of the most active international business schools in Africa.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
I am the only Beninese in the class. I intend to make my fellows discover Benin and get to know Africa better. I believe Africa currently offers very interesting opportunities for business in various sectors as agribusiness, communications, transports, real estate, manufacturing industry, and at the same time can be a laboratory for a circular economy. It is necessary to attract talent and business people from all over the world. I hope to motivate my fellows to work, invest and create businesses in Africa.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
When I was 8 years old, I made and sold milk candies during summer holidays just to make money. At the end, I was able to buy my dream basket shoes! In secondary school, I also created a mini company with a few friends to manufacture and sell school bags. Now I am working on launching a snail and chicken farming business in Benin. So, entrepreneurship has been a major point of interest for me since I was young.
Post-MBA career interests?
In the short-term, I would like to work in development institutions as an investment officer. I would like to fund sustainable development projects. I am convinced that finance can be used wisely for the common good as a tool to address social and environmental issues, find solutions to climate change, and reduce social and economic inequalities.
The good news is that the MBA will allow me to explore other possibilities and maybe change my plans down the line. In the mid-term, I want to develop my own businesses around a circular economy.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The application essays gave me the rare opportunity to reflect on my real needs and motivations.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Find a more regular training program for the GMAT.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The application is a demanding process, which can be discouraging sometimes. At the end of the day, I think that every step is useful and finishing the process is a proof of one’s motivation. Just keep in mind the person you want to become. Be confident that the MBA will help you achieve it.
What is your initial impression of the HEC Paris culture/community?
I am really impressed by the strong community at HEC Paris. We all came here with a real desire to know and discover other people. Difference is celebrated. The activities and the program are also designed to help students mix. I realize how enriching it is, even more than what I imagined before. It is a unique opportunity, both for professional and personal growth to connect with people from so many different backgrounds.
One thing you have learned about HEC Paris that has surprised you?
It is the 3rd business school after Harvard and Stanford to provide the most CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. It made me even prouder to be here.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
There are so many interesting events to attend and activities to do! And so much to learn too! How am I going to make the best choices, manage my time to achieve my goals at the end of MBA? That is what worries me the most.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited about spending the next few months with amazing people. But I feel even more excited about the person I will become at the end of the program and what I will discover about myself.
