Aram Kratjian

Why did you decide to do an MBA at INSEAD?

I knew from day one in consulting that I’d pursue an MBA at some point. By the time I had enough experience, choosing a school was simple. More than the brand and the reputation, the people at INSEAD just fit my personality and experience. With my multinational background, I simply felt that INSEAD would be a place I belong.

Another deciding factor was the one-year programme. It makes things a little faster and more intense. From an entirely different perspective, INSEAD has more global reach for careers and job search than any other school. It’s the perfect place for international companies to come looking for talent.

How would you describe the classroom experience?

It’s been amazing: enriching and insightful. Sometimes a professor gives us a case study and asks us to consider a question before the next class. I think really deep until I’m sure I’ve covered everything. Then, back in class, I find I’ve only covered 5% of the possibilities. 

Are there any particular courses and lessons you’d like to highlight?

Communication and Leadership taught me the key lessons of how body language, culture, voice tone have a drastic impact on communication at all levels. Strategies for Product Development made me realise that diversity is a key driver of creativity. And Psychological Issues in Management made me realise that it’s all too easy to overlook mundane psychological aspects of life, which could make or break a person’s career.

But ultimately, I learned a lot outside of class. Efficient networking requires a lot of integrity and effort. Getting an interview is all about the first contact and impression, less about the CV. My advice to prospective students is to get out of their comfort zone at INSEAD and try new things. It’s a safe environment compared to the real world.

How did you find working in a group?

Every group has a difference experience. My initial group worked so efficiently and effectively that the professors encouraged us to have some arguments! We tried, but we were so harmonious it was just impossible. Nevertheless we got a lot out of it and we’ve remained very close.

What are your career plans and how has INSEAD helped you to achieve them?

Consulting would be a safe environment for me, but my passion is engineering and manufacturing. So I’m looking for a job in aerospace, automotive or a big conglomerate. I want to work somewhere where I’m part of a team producing something concrete. INSEAD has helped me to realise that. And the alumni network has been a great support. It’s provided all the information and contacts I need. I never had to beg anyone for help, around 90% of the alumni I emailed said: just give me a call.

What is the value of the campus exchange?

Above all it’s about career opportunities in different geographies. You’d never get the same openings in Europe or Asia, if you were in a North American school. But here, you can attend presentations from the same company in Singapore and Fontainebleau. In one you’ll meet people from the office in China and in the other you’ll make contacts with alumni working in the Paris office.

More concretely however, the campus exchange helped me decide where I want to start my career post-MBA. INSEAD gives the flexibility and opportunity to discover the whole Asia Pacific region, Europe and North America.

How would you sum up the benefits of INSEAD?

For me, it’s definitely been a life-changing experience. It develops you in three distinct areas: careers, academics and social life. You have time to reflect on all three, which ultimately teaches you what you really love, the most important lesson of all.

I have summarized my experience in this video for prospective students and explained what I mean by life-changing experience.