How ESSEC brought me to Silicon Valley

by Carlota GIL

When I started ESSEC, I decided to make the most of the broad range of opportunities available. Hence, I enrolled in the CPI Program (Création d'un Produit innovant), an entrepreneurship program which lasts 6 months and is a joint program between ESSEC, Centrale (engineering school) & Strate (design school). 

For 6 months, every Tuesday we met at NUMA, an incubator in the centre of Paris, to work in teams on the project we had chosen. I worked for Technicolor, a French tech company. They had given us the task to come up with a product or service which would protect their consumers' personal data on the internet in... 25 years time!

The project was extremely challenging since we had to imagine how the internet would evolve, how our society would adapt to it and how we would behave as individuals in an even more connected world! After 6 months, we presented our project to the jury and won a trip to San Francisco to meet the most successful companies at the heart of the Silicon Valley.

One year later, six other winners and I embarked upon this great journey, boarded a plane to San Francisco and landed in the hub of worldwide innovation.

"Silicon Valley is as tantalizing as it is intimidating"

We started off by visiting Google and its breathtaking campus. With over 30 000 employees at their Mountain View site, Google's campus is literally a self-sufficient city of its own. Dozens of restaurants, thousands of Google bikes to enable Googlers to move around. We could feel that something big was happening around us! 

We went on to visit AirBnB. They own a fantastic office as well, 6-story high, with hundreds of different themed rooms to spark creativity and foster innovation. What a great place to work!

Moreover, we met other startups, entrepreneurs and even a former colleague of Steve Jobs who had launched the iTunes Store and went on to launch the Kindle for Amazon! What an inspiring environment!

Like any other business school student, I had heard of the Silicon Valley before, but I had not really grasped the immensity of it. I truly felt that they were so far ahead from us in Europe, in terms of innovation, ways of working and cultural acceptance of failure. A place where the most influential investors in the world gather at a bar, hoping to meet the next Elon Musk or Steve Jobs, is just something I could not imagine possible. Everything seemed so easy. However, I rapidly understood that the Silicon Valley is a very competitive place where everyone tries to thrive but hardly anyone succeeds. It is as tantalizing as it is intimidating. 

I left San Francisco with the mighty desire to come back and experience the Silicon Valley fever in the future... 

How I found my first internship at ESSEC

by Sumesh Lund

I am a first year MSc in Management student at ESSEC. By way of background I am a Computer Science Engineer from India. After completing my Engineering degree I worked at BNP Paribas as a Software Developer for about two years. Currently, I am doing an internship as a Risk Data Analyst at Société Générale, Paris. I will continue to work with Société Générale as an apprentice from July 2016.

I came to France in August 2015, but even two months before that, I wasn’t even sure that I would be able to make it to France. Most students from middle-class background understand how hard it can get when you want to fund your entire studies yourself. Nevertheless, I came here with a plan. 

"Unlike most students I wasn't just looking for experience of a job fair: I was looking for a job!"

The plan was an ambitious and usual one which most students follow. I knew that with the flexibility ESSEC provides, I would succeed if I work hard. From my experience at BNP Paribas, I knew that I wanted to work in Finance Sector.

I was admitted at ESSEC in the very first round, which gave me a lot of time to research. I got in touch with some current students and alumni who helped me immensely during this period. During my research, I found that ESSEC has a finance fair in October a couple of months after we were scheduled to arrive. I knew this would be a great opportunity. Being the first job fair, unlike most students I wasn’t just looking for experience of a job fair: I was looking for a job!

"I learned from my mistakes each time I went up and spoke to someone"

After attending various talks by the Career Services at ESSEC, I came up with a strategy for the job fair. I decided to first approach the banks which I knew wouldn’t have roles that I was interested in. This would give me an experience of how to interact with them without any real harm at my chances. Once I had mastered the tactics, I approached the banks I was interested in. I started my day at about 9am, and by 11am I had spoken with more than 5 banks already. The first two talks didn’t even last for 30 seconds. But I learned from my mistakes each time I went up and spoke to someone. That was the advantage of having so many banks. In fact, I met with an alumnus of ESSEC who was there representing a bank and asked for some advice. And voila, I was ready to approach the banks I was interested to work for. Soon I got a couple of leads which I had to follow up. And even though this may sound like a fairy tale, Société Générale (where I am currently working) was the last bank I approached that day!

"...I had almost given up hope and started applying through online portals..."

I wasn’t sure that getting only two leads from more than 6 banks was good enough, but nonetheless I followed up on those leads on the same night. I didn’t get a reply for about a week. At this moment, I had almost given up hope and started applying through online portals and other channels. But after about 15 days, I got a call during a lecture from an unknown number. It could’ve been anyone, but my heart was racing like a Ferrari. If this was a football field, I would have crossed my classmates like Messi would pass across all the defenders! I couldn’t pick up that call, but I had a voicemail in French which I thought said that they’re calling from Société Générale and wanted to schedule an interview. I ran to one of my French friends and asked him to confirm the same. And there it was, my first interview call. The next month was occupied with interviews and online tests but I made through this opportunity to start my internship in January, just 4 months after coming to France!

From being the student ambassador to my first internship in France, it has been a joyride. My Return on Investment is more than 100% in less than one year. I was able to make some amazing friends, learn from the best professors around the world and travel to the most beautiful places in Europe all within this one year. To all the people who always ask me “Why France?” or “Why ESSEC”, I would like to ask “Well. Why not?!”

The Apprenticeship: fusing work and study (p.4)

Dominik Weiss

In the Apprenticeship-series on this blog, we follow our students who have successfully pursued an apprenticeship*. In
this final episode, Saint Gobain's Purchasing Department  apprentice Dominik explains his take on the value of the apprenticeship.

Before coming to ESSEC, doing an apprenticeship was not on my To-Do List, as I had already undertaken a Trainee Program before. Therefore, my plan was to complete an internship in France and then to finish the Master as quickly as possible.

In the end and against all odds I decided to do an apprenticeship. Why did I make this decision? The most important reasons to me were the language factor, the responsibility and the career opportunities.

As I want to start working in France after graduation, my French level has to have a certain standard which for me is not reachable through a six months’ internship. I have a lot of responsibility in my apprenticeship which was essential to me and the crucial factor to take on the position. Even though I have already worked for almost two years in a company, this was an experience and level of responsibility I haven’t had before. An apprenticeship is an investment of the company in you. This is a very valuable professional experience as it shows the added value that you bring to the company, especially while working in another country.

Personally I found my apprenticeship on the “Forum Campus”, which is a career fair organized once a year at ESSEC. I hosted Saint-Gobain during the Forum and had a chance to have long and interesting conversations with the company representatives. Even though I applied to different positions and companies online, the best way to create interest and get noticed is by talking to companies’ representatives in person. This also fastened the process and opened the door for my apprenticeship.

"...I found my apprenticeship on the 'Forum Campus'..."

So far it has been two months since I have started the apprenticeship and I really enjoy it. I have just started fulltime, as my semester ended, and I will get my new missions for the rest of the year soon. 

Based on the reasons mentioned above an apprenticeship for me is something that a student should always have on the back of his mind regardless of the fact that he might have already enough work experience to validate for the degree. In any case it is a great experience!

*An apprenticeship constitues a fusing of work and studying: the apprentice (the student) studies part time and works the rest of the time for a company. The company in return pays the tuition fees of the student and a salary. In the past, quite a few students have financed their studies this way. Read more on apprenticeships here.

The Apprenticeship: fusing work and study (p.3)

Aditya Vijay

In the Apprenticeship-series on this blog, we follow our students who have successfully pursued an apprenticeship*. In this episode, Sodexo's Corporate Responsibility Analyst Aditya explains how he sealed the deal.

I got my apprenticeship after about 2 months of intense job search. It was a bit challenging for me because I didn’t have business education background, any previous work experience and I don’t speak French. 

I received great help from Career Services. I spent about 2-3 days creating my cover letter and resume and got it reviewed by career services and a senior student. I applied for a number of jobs and realized that jobs in the career service section at myessec.com is the best source for me to find an apprenticeship. 

I gave few interviews but didn’t succeed because of my poor French skills. It is very important to analyze what stopped you from succeeding after each rejection. After getting an interview call from Sodexo I talked to ESSEC alumni who were working in the company and gathered information about company’s culture and possible interview questions to prepare well. 

After 4 rounds of interviews I got selected.  My suggestion to other students is that you should apply to a good number of jobs, talk to people who are working in the company you are applying for, spend sufficient time on creating your cover letter and resume and don’t get disheartened from rejection but take it as a learning lesson. 

*An apprenticeship constitues a fusing of work and studying: the apprentice (the student) studies part time and works the rest of the time for a company. The company in return pays the tuition fees of the student and a salary. In the past, quite a few students have financed their studies this way. Read more on apprenticeships here.

The Apprenticeship: fusing work and study (p.2)

Laetitia Hemery

In the Apprenticeship-series on this blog, we follow our students who have successfully pursued an apprenticeship*. In this episode, Arkema's Recruitment Officer Laetitia explains how she experienced the challenges of the apprenticeship.

I've been working as an apprentice for Arkema for now almost one year. Arkema is a designer of materials and innovative solutions. It shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance in lightweight and design materials, bio-sourced materials, new energies, water management, solutions for electronics, and the performance and home insulation. Arkema is also a company that pays a lot of attention to its employees well-being and professional development. 

As an apprentice I really feel part of the company like every collaborator. Even on a very pragmatic (though highly symbolical) way I have the same compensation and benefits package than every other employee.

My job consists in hiring all interns and apprentices who are conducting a Master degree in France and abroad. It represents roughly 150 positions/year. I've also recruited 6 VIE since August. I was involved in several HR development projects and the projects on relationships with our targeted schools.

'As an apprentice I really feel part of the company like every collaborator'

One of the best things in my job is the autonomy. I am the only recruitment officer on this perimeter and I do all the HR part: from shortlisting CVs to conducting interviews. I really enjoy having so much responsibilities: I was sometimes in direct contact with CFOs of sister companies or some of our greatest researchers in the world!

I am grateful to my managers who have shown a lot of flexibility to adapt to the ESSEC requirements. They let me chose the courses I wanted and to join the ESSEC Leadership and Diversity Chair even though it was not always convenient.

They also offered me the great opportunity to change my missions for the second year of my contract: after an exchange semester at Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa I'll be working in Lyon, on our biggest plant in France, to discover an industrial environment and the daily life of an HR manager in this very particular context. I am thrilled to begin my new job!

Even though it was sometimes difficult to conciliate my student and professional life because of the weekly rhythm (2d at Essec / 3d at Arkema), I really enjoyed my first year and recommend choosing the apprenticeship.

*An apprenticeship constitues a fusing of work and studying: the apprentice (the student) studies part time and works the rest of the time for a company. The company in return pays the tuition fees of the student and a salary. In the past, quite a few students have financed their studies this way. Read more on apprenticeships here.

The Apprenticeship: fusing work and study (p.1)

Lois d'Iribarne

In the Apprenticeship-series on this blog, we follow our students who have successfully pursued an apprenticeship*. In this episode, Canal Plus' Recruitment and Talent Management apprentice Lois explains how she sealed the deal.

I found my apprenticeship thanks to the ESSEC annual forum in February. I gave my CVs to five companies, two of them called me back, and I was successfully hired by Canal Plus. It was a bit of a challenge because there were 5 rounds of interviews, some of them extremely close to one another, and I was doing the same with other companies at the same time. 

I think that the reason I was hired was because I really captured the vibe of the company. Canal Plus has a very dynamic environment, and the company`s culture is based on boldness and entrepreneurial spirit, so I tried to bring out the more natural and energetic aspects of my personality. It’s important to find a place that is compatible with your spirit. I, for example, refused a mission in another company, not only because I was not that interested in the task, but also because I felt uncomfortable during my interviews, didn’t bond with the people I met and talked to, and the spirit around seemed extremely uptight.

If I had one suggestion for other students going through interview rounds, it would be to be honest with your hypothetical employers. Most of the time, they can tell when people are being too fake. Secondly, if you change your personality completely, say whatever you believe the employer wants to hear, and pretend to love everything they talk about, even if they do make you an offer, it will not be an offer you like because it won’t match what you truly want, and you will end-up half-heartedly accepting, or refusing it all in all. It’s risky to be yourself because you take the risk of being rejected, but when you do get a job, you get a cooler job.

*An apprenticeship constitues a fusing of work and studying: the apprentice (the student) studies part time and works the rest of the time for a company. The company in return pays the tuition fees of the student and a salary. In the past, quite a few students have financed their studies this way. Read more on apprenticeships here.

Flat-Hunting in Singapore 2: Student Testimonials!

Student Ambassador Lucia Casagranda, currently in Singapore, has asked a few students to share their personal experience on renting an apartment in Singapore. In the previous post, Lucia explained what common obstacles you can expect and how to overcome them when searching for living space. In this second post, students tell you all about their personal situation. Are you coming to Singapore...? Then read on!

CHINESE GARDEN – Camille

“I live at Chinese Garden and I share a flat in a condo with other 4 people, each pays 615€. The district is pleasant enough since there is a big garden next door, but I believe it is quite far from the city center. So every time you want to do something, you have to plan in advance and really need to take the commuting time into account. I'm in Parc Oasis, it's 3 minutes to Chinese Garden MRT.”

Parc Oasis, Chinese Garden         

Parc Oasis, Chinese Garden

 

HOLLAND VILLAGE – Julie

“I really enjoyed living in Holland Village: this charming neighborhood is very calm but the area around the net station is filled with bars, coffee shops and an incredible number of restaurants which makes it so lively at night! It took me 20 minutes to go to Essec and 15 minutes to reach Botanic Gardens for a jog or a walk. I am staying in Fairlodge apartments, where many locals live. My flat is huge, with 2 master bedrooms, one junior master and one common room."

Fairlodge apartments

Holland Village is a very lively area of Singapore

                                 

QUEENSTOWN - Alice

“I live in Queens condo, strategically located one minute from Queenstown MRT (2 stops from ESSEC, and 15 mins to downtown). The rent here is quite expensive but I can say that the money are worth: the swimming pool and the gym are amazing, the facilities and common areas are always clean, the security is always present and happy to help you. Our flat is on the 18th floor and is very big and airy. The condo is close to 2 supermarkets, IKEA, restaurants and much more.”

Queenstown

TIONG BAHRU - Suraj

“I live in Emerald Park condo near Tiong Bahru MRT station. First of all, Tiong Bahru is a bit expensive because its a very nice neighbourhood. There are lot of hawker centres close by if you are open to Chinese food. Moreover, it is just 4 stops away from  ESSEC (8 minutes). It takes around 30-35 mins in total to reach. It is also near to Raffles Place and Little India. I’d recommend the area!”

PAYA LEBAR

Lucia: many, many, many ESSEC students decide to live in Simsville condo, at Paya Lebar. It’s very far from ESSEC (40 minutes by MRT + 10 walking), but it’s traditionally the condo where most of the French ESSEC students stayed over the last years.

- Victor 

“I live in Simsville condo, 5 minutes away from Paya Lebar MRT and 40 from ESSEC. It  is a very nice place to live in. All the advantages of living in a Condo (Fitness Room, pool, tennis courts) and a very nice Mall with a foodcourt right down the MRT. Affordable accommodation + lively neighbourhood = what else ?”

– Paul

“I am staying at Simsville – So i'm in Paya Lebar. I think that living closer to the campus is a better idea. But other than that, we have good facilities and are conveniently located close to the airport, so good for those who like to travel. More residential, But geylang is pretty close. So yeah you can get downtown in 20mn and to the airport in 30mn. But going to essec is a pain” 

- Capucine

"I have been living at Paya Lebar, Simsville Condo, for 5 months now, and I still enjoy each time I come back from ESSEC, and I pass through the secured doors, greet the guardian, walk inside the condo with its strange towers that have become so familiar, turn in front of the cutest swimming pool ever, and get to my apartment on the 7th floor. Simsville condo is not the closest place to ESSEC, but because there are many ESSEC here, and because there is a kind of solidarity spirit that has developed, it is a place where you definitely feel at home." 

Simsville

GOOD TO KNOW

●You cannot change the duration of the lease once you have signed: 

• Contrary to the French regulation, in Singapore there is no such thing as a leave notice 

• Therefore, make sure you sign up for the right duration.

●If you leave earlier than expected:

• You will not be able to shorten the contract 

• No daily rate for the remaining days

●If you want to extend, advise your agent at least one month in advance.
●Payment of monthly rental: If you pay your rental by transfer from France or Europe, arrange it a few days before the due date to avoid any late penalty fees.

●Aircon Servicing (= cleaning and maintenance of aircon by a professional) is compulsory every three months and at the tenant’s expense. Keep the receipt!

READY, SET, GO!

Now you are definitely ready to tackle the flat-hunting process: start your search, and good luck!