CEMS MiM: 2 Countries, 3 Languages, 30 BSchools, 100 Institutions

Roland Siegers podcase interview

Meet today’s guest, Executive Director at CEMS Global Alliance, Roland Siegers. He studied in Germany and France and started working for CEMS in 2002, becoming the Executive Director in 2012. Welcome!

What is CEMS? [1:45]

It’s a joint program – a partnership among 30 leading b-schools. It’s provides a pre-experience master’s program (the students are straight out of undergrad). And students study at two of 30 campuses on 5 continents.

Currently there’s no US partner.

MIM program overview [3:13]

Students enroll at one of the 30 partner campuses. They do one term at their home campus, one term abroad, and one internship term (also usually abroad). There’s a very strong international focus.

And at the end, students earn two degrees: a master’s degree from their home campus and the CEMS Masters in International Management.

Most of the master’s programs are 1-2 years. If a student is in a 2-year master’s program, they can add the CEMS program in the second year of the 2-year program. [4:38]

If a student is doing a second degree, does it have to be related to business? [5:30]

Yes. We consider the CEMS MIM an advanced degree, and we go deep. But their undergrad degree can be in a different field.

What distinguishes the MIM from an MBA? [7:15]

Timing. While the MBA generally requires a few years of work experience, MIM students are young – generally straight out of undergrad.

What distinguishes the CEMS MIM from b-school linked Masters in Management? [8:25]

The international flavor. 100 institutions contribute to shaping the program – so there are many opportunities for your studies. You get to be exposed to students from 30 campuses and 70 nationalities.

The world is our home, and that’s reflected in our program.

What are the 100 institutions? [10:00]

There are 65 companies, 5 NGOs, and 30 schools. The companies participate in every aspect of the program: selecting students, mentoring, providing guest speakers, etc. And ultimately, hiring.

How does the internship term work? Is it in a third location? [11:15]

People do diverse things all over the world (including developing countries and countries where the program doesn’t have partner campuses, like the US). The internship gives them a chance to learn something practical about the working world.

What are you looking for in a student? [12:45]

Bright people with good academic records. We also want an interest and appetite for the international, as well as people with maturity, clear ethics, and a strong moral compass. People who have the capability of reflecting on challenges, and who have the desire to perform and compete.

The application process [14:10]

The application itself is carried out by member schools.

After applying, candidates are selected to an interview/assessment center. The interview could include a group discussion or team situation, or you could be asked to give a presentation. There’s also an interview with a school representative and a company representative.

Does the application vary by school (among the 30 campuses)? [16:10]

The application might vary – the school might have specific requirements you also must meet.

Some schools have essays. They all want to see you’ve done well in your studies and that you’ve also gained international exposure.

The GMAT/GRE? [17:20]

Both GMAT and GRE are OK. But some schools/countries don’t allow the tests at all, so it depends on the specific application.

What type of jobs do people get after earning the MIM? [17:50]

Given the international focus of the degree, many people are recruited by multinational companies. Recently, a lot of tech companies have been hiring our grads. And consulting is always a big field. Increasingly, grads want to join (or start) start-ups.

Some recent professional destinations [18:40]

Google, L’Oreal, Deloitte, McKinsey.

Is the MIM a terminal degree? [19:00]

Most of all, it’s a career accelerator. We’re doing research to track people’s next steps, and while a few people may later return for an MBA, not many do.

Advice for US students considering the CEMS program [21:30]

Consider your needs: is speed important? Consider a 1-year program.

Consider your interests: marketing? Finance? Look at campuses with strengths in your areas of interest.

And consider the locations that are most attractive to you.

Also, consider price. Some degrees are very inexpensive (or free), by law.

Advice to prepare for the application [24:00]

Travel! We want people with international experience.

Brush up on your languages. You need to have strong language knowledge/speaking ability.

Language requirements? [24:50]

You need proficiency in at least two languages (one must be English) when you come into the program, and then work on learning basic knowledge of a third while you’re in the program. The third is more of a cultural immersion.

Speaking another language is also thinking in another language: it’s about culture.

What’s coming up in the US? [25:45]

More educational innovation. Specialized master’s programs are great for schools and students.

The age of the wise man delivering knowledge is gone, and that’s a good thing! Schools are developing more individualized programs.