About ECSA

Empowering the student life for International Economic Consulting students at Aarhus University

The Economic Consulting Student Association (ECSA) at BSS, Aarhus University

1 Introduction - Who are We?

1.1 The History of ECSA

ECSA was founded in September of 2023, inspired by student associations across various cand.merc. programs (master programs in Economics and Business Administration). Notably, the cand.merc. International Economic Consulting did not have an active student association. Motivated to unite students and enhance both the social and academic experience in the IEC program, we, a group of eight students, came together to transform this vision into reality through the creation of a new student association.

We reached out to the study coordinator of IEC for guidance. Through this interaction, it came to our knowledge that a now-inactive student association named “IEC Network” existed. We were granted access to the association's contact platforms and previous partnerships. These resources laid the foundation for what is now known as the Economic Consulting Student Association (ECSA). Therefore, while ECSA is relatively new on paper, its origins can be traced back several years.

1.2 Members

The members of ECSA are current students enrolled at the cand.merc. International Economic Consulting program at BSS, Aarhus University. This master's program focuses on broad economic principles, despite its title suggesting only a consulting-centric curriculum.

All students enrolled at the IEC line have completed a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration (or similar), and thus come with a solid foundation in both general business concepts, finance as well as economics. 

Membership in ECSA fluctuates with the enrollment numbers of each cohort. As the cand.merc. program spans over two years, the association's membership count typically ranges between approximately 120-200 members at a given point in time (based on historical data on the size of cohorts from year to year). 

The mandatory courses in the program are as follows:

• Cost Benefit Analysis (10 ECTS)

• Econometric Methods in Economic Consulting (10 ECTS)

• Developing and Emerging Economies (5 ECTS)

• Organizational Economics and Strategy (5 ECTS)

• Empirical Industrial Organization (5 ECTS)

• International Economic Integration (10 ECTS)

• Tools for Empirical Economic Analysis and Consulting (5 ECTS)

• Applied Economic Consulting (10 ECTS)

For a more in-depth explanation of the program as well as links to the different courses, we refer to the website: https://kandidat.au.dk/internationaleconomicconsulting 

1.3 Board Members

Board members are selected at a general assembly each year and are selected for a one-year term. The current board members for the academic year 2024/25 are:

• Chairman: Frederikke Louise Fabricius-Svendsen

• Vice Chairman: Tobias Westergaard

• Head of Finance: Lærke Pihlman

• Head of Business Relations: Frederik Porsborg

• Head of Social Media: Karolína Littvová

• Board member: Mikkel Jul

• Board member: Mathias Atzen Rasmussen

Our website and pictures of current board members can be found through the following link: https://www.ecsa-bss.com/ 

2 Our Goals, Vision and Mission

2.1 Goals

The main goal of the association is to promote the interest and welfare of the current students of MSc International Economic Consulting at Aarhus University. 

Specifically, we aim to:

• Improve the study environment and togetherness of current students in the IEC program.

• Connecting students with relevant firms in different industries.

• Create awareness of what specific skills IEC students possess towards firms and possible future IEC students.

• Offer a range of activities and platforms for discussions and debates of various types, including:

  • social,

  • cultural,

  • recreational, and

  • professional

  • … all designed to foster the personal and professional growth and development of students.

2.2 Vision

Our vision is to be a transformative force in the academic and professional lives of MSc International Economic Consulting students at Aarhus University. We strive to create a dynamic, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment that not only enhances the academic experience but also fosters personal growth and professional development.

2.3 Mission

The mission of our association is to enrich the academic journey of students in the MSc International Economic Consulting program at Aarhus University. We are committed to improving the study environment and fostering a sense of togetherness among the current students. 

Our focus extends to connecting students with relevant industry firms through various activities. We dedicate ourselves to facilitating forums that contribute to the personal and professional growth of our members, ensuring they are well-equipped for their future careers.

2.4 Core Values

2.4.1 Inclusion

At ECSA, we are dedicated to creating a student association that embraces everyone, irrespective of academic achievements. Our goal is to cultivate an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all IEC students. Thus, we do not engage in student selection based on factors such as job experience or grades. Participation in any official ECSA event is open to all students currently enrolled in International Economic Consulting at Aarhus University. We strongly believe that every student's perspective is valuable, and thus, all opinions are essential in shaping our collective experience.

2.4.2 Diversity

We are committed to fostering diversity at ECSA. Discrimination in any shape or form has no place in our student association. We strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels respected, valued, and included. Embracing diversity enhances the richness of our community, and we celebrate the uniqueness that each individual brings to ECSA.

2.4.3 Empowerment

We are committed to empowering our members to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Through workshops, events, and various initiatives, we seek to provide resources and support that enable each student to reach their full potential. 

2.4.4 Integrity

We uphold honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all our interactions and activities. By maintaining a high standard of integrity, we aim to build trust among our members, partners, and the broader community, ensuring the enduring success and credibility of our association.

3 Previous Partnerships and Events

3.1 Partnerships

Currently, our association has an extensive network of contacts across diverse sectors, all of whom are esteemed alumni of the IEC program. These connections span various industries, including luxury fashion and footwear, management consulting, financial advisory services, energy and utility sectors, and retail. 

Our partnerships encompass globally recognized consulting firms known for their strategic and operational expertise, leading fashion and lifestyle brands that blend innovation with sustainability, top-tier advisory and audit services firms that offer financial and risk management solutions, energy companies focused on sustainable practices, as well as retail giants renowned for their global presence and customer-centric approaches. These relationships facilitate invaluable industry insights, mentorship opportunities, and potential career pathways for our students, enriching their educational experience and professional development.

3.2 Events

Since our inception, we have successfully held multiple events, ranging from a dining event after completing the first exam of the first semester, where over 30 first-semester students participated, to various professional events with upwards 50 people in attendance. We believe that events like these are crucial for enhancing student welfare, as they both celebrate small milestones along the academic journey while still fostering personal and professional growth.

…

Contact The Board

Economic Consulting Student Association

Address: Fuglesangs Allé 4, 8210 Aarhus V

CVR: 44325918

Email: contact.ecsa.bss@gmail.com

Website: https://www.ecsa-bss.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/economic-consulting-student-association-ecsa/