Building your future with ESE’s career summit week

Imagine a single week that has the power to change your future. From February 17 to 21, the European School of Economics hosted a multi-campus Career Summit that brought together international students, industry experts, and career coaches in Madrid, Florence, and Rome —all with one goal: to increase professional skills and connect our students to new opportunities.

Throughout this summit, students experienced practical, hands-on sessions designed to increase their skills and prepare them for the real world. Here’s what you’ll discover:

• One-on-one career consultations with industry experts
• Professional photoshoots to perfect your online profile
• CV workshops and mock interviews
• Job interviews with leading companies
• Masterclasses and company presentations
• Company visits that offered real-world insights

One-on-one career consultations with industry experts

During the summit, students had the chance for personalized career consultations that truly made a difference. At the Madrid campus, sessions with Kapwa Solutions provided 30 minutes of tailored advice in a relaxed, one-on-one setting. Students discussed career goals, future aspirations, and gained clarity on their professional paths. Precy Servito, Founder and Principal Consultant at Kapwa Solutions—who also works as a coach, trainer, and public speaker—shared practical tips on job search strategies and profile optimization. Many described these sessions as “aha” moments, where they discovered hidden strengths and re-evaluated their career ambitions.

At the Florence campus, the atmosphere was just as inspiring. In the elegant setting of Palazzo Rosselli del Turco, students connected directly with HR professionals from top companies. They learned firsthand what qualities make a standout candidate, such as curiosity, flexibility, passion, and enthusiasm.

Professional Photoshoots to perfect your online profile

One of the highlights of our Career Summit was the professional photoshoot session. In today’s digital age, a strong profile picture can make all the difference in your job search and networking efforts. At this session, ESE students dressed in their best business attire and had the chance to update their LinkedIn and CV photos with high-quality headshots that boosted their confidence in presenting themselves to future employers. Our photoshoot studio equipment is available not only during the career summit but also throughout the whole term, to make sure that every student can maintain an up-to-date, polished image.

CV Workshops and Mock interviews

During the whole week of the career summit, students took part in CV workshops and mock interview sessions led by our internship coordinator. These sessions gave ESE students a chance to check and refine their resumes and practice real-world interview scenarios. Students received personalized feedback on their CVs, tips on how to ensure they highlighted their skills and experiences effectively and saw examples on how to personalize the content based on the job that they are applying for.

Additionally, students participated in mock interviews that simulated actual employer interactions and learned how to talk, behave, and dress for these situations. The sessions focused on mastering common interview questions, such as “Tell me about yourself.” Initially, several students struggled to answer. However, by breaking down their experiences into three key elements—the timeline, the action, and most importantly, the purpose behind their actions—they learned to communicate their true value effectively.

One student, passionate about marketing, discovered that her skill for managing projects and supporting teams was as critical as her creative ideas. This revelation opened up new perspectives on her career possibilities, such as roles in project management or operations. Overall, these practical workshops were a great way for students to feel better in their abilities and it also equipped them with valuable tips to navigate upcoming real interactions with companies.

Job interviews with leading companies

The interviews which were scheduled with students and industry leaders were a huge success. Imagine walking into an interview where an employer is genuinely interested in your story and abilities. That’s exactly what our students experienced during the career summit. At the Madrid campus, they had the chance to meet with companies like Red Deporte, Ikono, Exceltic, and Palladium Group Hotels—discussing opportunities in Sales, Marketing, HR, and Finance. Meanwhile, Florence campus hosted sessions with top names such as La Marzocco, Cartiere Carrara, Luisa Via Roma, Forbes Heritage, Rocco Forte Hotels,and Baker Hughes. Notably, Daniele Cavalli  represented Profumoir, interviewing students and sharing unique insights into the luxury market.

And Rome campus hosted interview sessions with the remarkable luxury automobile company Lamborghini. With internship start dates set for May and June, perfectly timed after the spring term ends in April, these interviews gave students a real taste of the career opportunities available in Madrid, Florence, Rome and all Europe, and a chance for securing  internships for some students.

Masterclasses and company presentations

The career summit also featured engaging masterclasses and presentations that brought real-world knowledge straight to our students. In one session, Precy Servito led the masterclass titled “Your Career, Your Brand: A Masterclass on Personal Branding and Career Mapping.” Here, students learned how to create a compelling and unique personal brand that stands out in the job market. Another memorable MasterClass was presented by the CEO of iWorkInSport who introduced strategies on “How to Kickstart Your Career in Sports,” and shared details about the upcoming iWorkInSport job fair, opening new opportunities for networking and career opportunities.

Company visits

The learning extended beyond our classrooms and campuses with exclusive company visits that showed students behind the scenes into real business operations. At the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding, students got the chance to explore a high-end hotel up close. They chatted with staff and really experienced what makes luxury service and smart operations work. Another visit took them to RH’s luxury interior design showroom, where associate gallery leader Raul Gonzalez Ramiro detailed the company’s approach to design, marketing, and strategic operations. These visits offered a practical look at the inner workings of top brands, and also turned into a fun way to bond with fellow students, create lasting memories, and connect with professionals who could help shape their future careers.

In summary, ESE Career Summit was more than just a week of workshops and consultations. It was an experience that gave opportunities towards career development and professional growth,and valuable networking opportunities. As one MBA student, Kurai shared, “The summit gave me the exposure I’ve always craved, an opportunity to sit at the table with successful business leaders.” Mellany described her experience as transformative, highlighting the personalized support that prepared her for interviews with top companies like Palladium Hotel Group. And Enrico called it a “game-changing experience” that significantly expanded his professional network.

However, it is important to mention that the the Career Summit is not an isolated event. It is part of a year-round commitment at ESE to preparing students for professional success. Through ongoing career consultations, CV workshops, interview preparation, and networking opportunities, we ensure that our students are not only ready for the job market but positioned to thrive within it. This year’s summit was particularly special—not only did students gain valuable insights and experience, but for some, it led directly to tangible career outcomes.

If you also would like to be part of ESE and discover how our internship department can help you turn opportunities into career success click HERE to learn more about our internship offerings.