PARTICIPANT STORIES

"Everything went as I had hoped it would"

Benoit Tanguy, a former engineer who pursued the Copenhagen MBA, sought to enhance his comprehensive understanding of the business world, with a specific focus on financial aspects. His dedication and hard work during the programme led to remarkable success, as he not only earned the prestigious Leadership Award but also achieved the highest GPA in the programme’s history.

Full Time MBA

Why did you choose the Copenhagen MBA?

I chose the Copenhagen MBA because sustainable business practices is embedded in the Nordic culture. I also wanted to boost my career in the Nordic area and CBS is renowned specifically within Scandinavian countries. Also, CBS has promising bonds with industrial companies as many of their alumni secure positions there, for example Novo Nordisk, Mærsk, Vestas, CIP - Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Rambøll are those that come to mind. For all of these reasons, and with the addition to the fact that I’ve already been living in Copenhagen and I love it, is why I chose the Copenhagen MBA.

What were you looking to enhance from the MBA?

I wanted to acquire a more holistic business understanding and learn to engage with diverse perspectives. I had worked with many departments, companies and diverse people in my previous role, but I felt that I was missing comprehensive knowledge in business administration.

I didn’t have an in-depth understanding of economics, finance, and accounting and so I used the modules to reflect on my experiences that I had over the span of 10 years working for TotalEnergies. When you are earning a masters degree in engineering in France, you don’t take business and economic courses so this is also one of the reasons why I prioritised my MBA education. It's given that with an MBA you might not become an expert on a topic, but you learn how to interact and understand the inner workings of all departments, which in the end lends to a much stronger business strategy.

What did you enjoy about the programme?

During my MBA journey, I uncovered a keen interest in Economics and Finance, enriching my engineering background with valuable insights for a promising future.

Additionally, the diversity of the class was wonderful. Early in the year, we celebrated Diwali, Thanksgiving and a Christmas as a class. We also swam in the canals, which is known as “winter bathing” in Denmark and it’s a very nordic thing to do.

I also brought together some of my classmates to play on a football league and we trained regularly.

“I am really happy with my choice to join the Copenhagen MBA. Of course, I had made my mind up about it long before it started but everything went as I had hoped it would. During my MBA journey, I uncovered a keen interest in Economics and Finance, enriching my engineering background with valuable insights for a promising future.”

Benoit Tanguy

Full Time MBA Class of 2023

What do you like about living in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen is a perfect balance between a capital and a well-sized urban area. What I love about living here is the nature, biking, and the water that surrounds and cuts through the city. It is an ideal place for marathon training, particularly for my Iron Man training, which was a tough objective but is easily linked with everything I love about this city. I can swim in the canal or open water, run in Amager Fælled Park and other nature reserves, and I can bike all over the city. I really feel that this city is made for me.

It is a unique chance for people coming to Denmark for the first time to discover the Nordic lifestyle in a pleasant and charming city. I am so grateful to live here.

What advice would you give to MBA considerers?

One of the main things to know is if you want to be in a small or large MBA class. One thing to note about the Copenhagen MBA is the boutique size of the class. This gave my cohort a real opportunity to connect with each other and develop a team spirit.

You should note the red threads of the programme you are interested in. A red thread of the Copenhagen programme is sustainability. It is embedded in all of the modules and I feel it’s important for business leaders of today. CBS is renowned in Scandinavia so if people want to stay in the Nordic area, it is a top choice.

MBA prospects also need to consider where the programme is placing alumni because it is all about expectations. I came in knowing what my post-MBA goals are and I feel confident I will achieve them.

What was your internship project and what did you learn?

As part of the MBA, I have delivered a strategy project for CIP - Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to identify a sustainable business model to secure installation vessels for CIP’s Offshore Wind projects.

The project has been sponsored by an Associate Partner, Alexander Kaulen, who recently moved from Investment Management to Head of Global Procurement. Hence, a great opportunity for me to combine my balanced Engineer & Business profile by defining a technically and financially viable strategy for one of the largest fund managers in renewable energy.

The strategy project is definitely a great aspect of the MBA program at CBS as we are giving a chance to apply our holistic and academic business knowledge into a practical business case. I now understand what the key challenges for Private Equity fund managers are to better contribute to the green transition

What are your plans post-MBA?

I am now eager to devote my energy and my career to make a meaningful impact in the green energy transition.

I am looking for a position with a financial dimension in a company that is committed to delivering renewable energy projects. Ideally, a job where I can combine my past technical and operational experience with the business & financial learnings from the MBA.

My place is in Copenhagen because I love what this city has to offer and because I think it is relevant to capitalize on the MBA network in the Nordic area.

How have the alumni society events / networking been helpful?

I met people through the various alumni events, people are very open-minded and happy to connect with you as members of the CBS MBA Alumni network. I’ve had a couple of coffee meetings with alum that have been very enriching. A goal when joining the MBA was networking in a business context and it’s been feasible.

Anything else that you want to add?

The start of the programme was intense, though not as difficult as I expected. As the agenda evolved it became more demanding because you build off of what you have learned. The education really came together and I enjoyed it.

I am really happy with my choice to join the Copenhagen MBA. Of course, I had made my mind up about it long before it started but everything went as I had hoped it would.

A world of opportunity awaits.

Download the brochure

"The MBA gave me an opportunity to reflect on my values"

"Sustainability has been the read thread of my career"

Portrait of Jack Langworthy, Full-Time MBA Class of 2013

"Follow your heart"

"Everything went as I had hoped it would"

Download the Copenhagen MBA brochure.

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