‘An amazing adventure': how to have the career and life you want in France
After studying IT and computer science in Beijing and beginning a stable career as a university professor, Ying Flass, originally from China, could see a precise and predictable work life mapped out before her – and she didn't like it.
'I am someone who likes adventure and likes a challenge,' she says.
Following a friend's recommendation she boarded a plane to France for what she thought would be a couple of years of study but has turned into a new life and two decades in the country.
'I wanted to go to France so see what happens there, to see what happens outside China and also to gather a new network and to experience a new culture,' she says.
Following her initial studies in the early 2000s, an internship, meeting and marrying a Frenchman, and numerous digital job roles, in 2021 she landed in her current role as Digital Transformation Lead at international sports retailer Decathlon.
Desire to grow
However, 20 years after setting foot in France and significant professional experience, Ying felt she needed to do something more to be able to advance.
'Even though I've held senior positions in digital transformation, I'm not a businessperson or a business leader, ' she says.
Ying was drawn to prestigious French business school EDHEC after hearing recommendations from friends, and began researching the Executive MBA (EMBA).
'I wanted to join the EDHEC EMBA programme to better understand business; how a company works across operation, strategy and also financial and marketing. I wanted to go a step further and get much more strategic knowledge.'
Another reason she joined EDHEC's EMBA is to meet new people. 'I had always met people who also work in the same field as me: digital," she says. "And I recognised that further growth required deeper strategic insights and a stronger network."
After her initial research into EDHEC, Ying was immediately impressed with the school's EMBA programme as well as the study format. Specifically, Ying didn't want to study solely online as meeting new people and networking is important to her.
'EDHEC's outstanding reputation and academic excellence, along with strong recommendations from previous cohorts, my colleagues, as well as the comprehensive nature of its business program, all motivated me to make the decision to join.'
An amazing adventure
Now six months into her Executive MBA, Ying describes it so far as an 'amazing adventure' that has been beyond her imagination.
Her busy schedule combines a flexible part-time study programme with her full time work commitments, which means she is able to apply her newly learned skills and knowledge in her day-to-day role at Decathlon.
'I'm already getting to use my new knowledge,' she says. 'And I have managed to find a good balance between professional, school and personal life,' Ying, a devoted dancer, says.
New skills
Ying appreciates the EMBA programme's focus on expanding both her hard and soft skills. Despite 20 years of experience in the corporate world, she acknowledges she wasn't a business leader and wants to know more about the intricate ways a company works, beyond her expertise in the digital and IT fields.
Now, Ying is finally gaining that 'hard skill' knowledge of business strategy across core areas – the foundational skills she is keen to learn to broaden her career horizon. And she is also improving the soft skills – like motivating people, communication and open-mindedness – that will shape her into the business leader she dreams of being.
What are your professional dreams? Discover how to achieve them with a personalised learning journey at EDHEC
Reflecting on the highlights of the programme so far, Ying says EDHEC's EMBA is much more than simply a study experience, it is an 'adventure' that is impacting other areas of her life too.
'It's a 'human' experience, I would say. I am meeting and learning from different people, from the professors, to the students to the people working in other areas of the company.'
On the executive career path
Ying will graduate from the EMBA in 2026 and is already gaining a clear picture of how her future career might look, thanks to her personal career coach at EDHEC. She names the career advice as another advantage of the programme.
'As a woman leader in digital with over 20 years of international experience, I have taken on – and continue to play – a key role in driving transformation programs and leading impactful change,' says Ying.
'Looking ahead, I aspire to move into executive roles and shape my long-term career path. An Executive MBA is helping me to strengthen my leadership, broaden my skills, and gain the perspective needed for these next steps.'
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