Marcel Hren

Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Marcel, I’m originally from Slovenia, where I grew up and studied my bachelor’s. As a kid, I always had an international outlook and dreamed of exploring other countries, which led me to spend half a year on an exchange in South Korea. That experience confirmed I wanted to pursue my master’s abroad.

INSEAD’s MIM was the obvious choice for me; A 10-month programme split between Fontainebleau and Singapore, with an incredibly global community. The alumni network was also a huge draw.

After graduating, I interned in London at Lexington Partners in private equity, which came directly through an INSEAD recruitment event. That experience, together with my finance background, helped me land my current role at Rothschild & Co., where I’m now working full-time in investment banking.

You’ve had quite a varied path before INSEAD — can you share more?

Yes, I started quite young. I learned coding at 15 when I built some simple mobile games, then moved into websites and e-commerce. By 2017, I was doing drop shipping before it became mainstream, selling products from China to European customers.

Later, I started a small digital agency building websites for clients.

In 2020, I also joined Business Angels of Slovenia, the country’s main angel investing network. That exposed me to startups, investors, and mentors who helped guide my career. After finishing my bachelor’s, I joined KPMG full-time for consulting experience before heading to INSEAD.

All of that shaped my mindset — entrepreneurial, but also focused on gaining international exposure and brand-name experience.

Why did you choose INSEAD over other schools?

I had friends at other top schools, such as LBS, LSE and HEC, which is why I wanted to explore something else. I was also not very keen on studying in London, even though I had high hopes of living there eventually. INSEAD offered something different: Fontainebleau, a small, tight-knit town where the whole class lives together, and then the contrast of Singapore, a global hub in Asia.

 The balance was perfect. In Fontainebleau, you get deep bonds and a sense of community because you’re all in one place. In Singapore, you’re exposed to a dynamic international environment, but you already have strong relationships from France. It felt like the best of both worlds.  

Of course, rankings and career exposure mattered, but what I valued most was the INSEAD community. Even now in London, the alumni are so active. There are monthly drinks and networking events. That lifelong network is one of the biggest benefits.

How was the programme transformative for you?

For me, the transformation was less about hard skills and more about soft skills. Coming from a business and finance background, I already had many of the technical foundations. What I really wanted was to grow in how I present myself, interact with others, and build relationships.

I’m naturally not very extroverted, but at INSEAD, you’re constantly in situations where you have to put yourself out there. Whether it’s presenting in class, working with people from 30+ nationalities, or juggling academics with career search and social life, it forces you out of your comfort zone. Looking back, that’s what shaped me the most.

You were involved in Emerald Consulting. How did that shape your experience?

Emerald Consulting was launched by the MIM’23 class, and I joined as part of the leadership team. It was an amazing initiative where we worked on live projects with clients, involving both MIM students and alumni.

It gave us exposure to real consulting work, but also allowed us to build strong relationships within our class. For me personally, it was a chance to lead, coordinate teams, and strengthen ties with alumni who were already working in exciting companies or building their own ventures.

You were also a career representative for your class. What did that involve?

Yes, I was elected to the student council as the career representative, which meant being the bridge between our MIM cohort and the Career Development Centre (CDC). I regularly spoke with the CDC to understand what opportunities were coming up. There were site visits, speakers, and company presentations, and we made sure the class was informed.

It was also about supporting classmates on a personal level. There were times when people were disappointed by rejections or confused about career direction. Sometimes they just needed someone to talk to, and I was happy to be that person.

What was most impactful about the CDC support?

There were so many resources. For me, a few stand out:

• Mock assessments and interview prep: We had practice for every stage — online tests, HireVue video interviews, and in-person sessions where experts gave detailed feedback. I still have notes from a finance interview workshop that helped me prepare for technical interviews later.
• Company presentations: These were invaluable. My internship at Lexington Partners came directly through a company event organised by the CDC. Later, while interning there, we also hosted the following year’s MIM class, with whom I was able to share my experience.
• Coaching: My coach was Emmanuelle Lansari, who not only gave career guidance but also introduced me to people in her network. Today, we are still in contact as she often introduces me to students interested in investment banking, with whom I can share my experience. I know that personal connection made a huge difference for me, which is why I also always try to help the following cohorts.

  My advice: don’t overlook the CDC resources. Use them fully, all the way from interview prep to coaching to alumni introductions. 

How has your INSEAD experience prepared you for your current role at Rothschild & Co.?

Both technically and socially. On the technical side, we had strong finance courses that gave me a foundation for interviews and on-the-job work. On the soft side, INSEAD prepared me to work with international teams. At Rothschild & Co., you collaborate across different backgrounds and cultures, and it feels very similar to the environment at INSEAD.

What advice would you give to students aiming for investment banking?

Investment banking is structured: you usually need an internship before getting a full-time role. 

So:

• Apply early. Summer applications open almost a year in advance.
• Network relentlessly. Reach out on LinkedIn, even if people don’t respond. Sometimes, just seeing your name later in the CV funnel can make a difference.
• Prepare thoroughly. Once you get an interview, go all in. Technical prep, mock interviews, everything. Interviews are hard to get, so don’t waste the opportunity.
• Be sure it’s what you want. It’s easy to be drawn in because IB sounds prestigious. But talk to people, understand the lifestyle, and confirm it aligns with your goals.

If you could go back to the start of your MIM, what would you tell yourself?

I’d say: enjoy the moment. It goes by incredibly fast. During the MIM, I often reminded myself to pause and take it all in — whether it was in Fontainebleau or travelling around Asia from Singapore.

It’s easy to get caught up worrying about internships, jobs, and the future. But the relationships and experiences you build at INSEAD are just as valuable as the career outcomes. So don’t rush, embrace the journey.