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IÉSEG, renowned for its commitment to academic and professional excellence, recently opened its new Career Centers in Lille and Paris-La Défense. These innovative spaces aim to support students in their career development while creating an environment that fosters exchange and collaboration. Inspired by Nordic models, these Career Centers embody a modern, human vision of career guidance.

A project inspired by Copenhagen

Five years ago, the IÉSEG Career Centers were very different from what they are today. At the time, the design of the premises was not particularly conducive to exchange and sharing. That’s when Valérie MARRAGOU, Deputy Director of Corporate Relations, in charge of career development at IÉSEG, came up with an idea inspired by a trip to Copenhagen as part of a “Learning Expedition”. There, she discovered spaces dedicated to students which, despite increasing digitalization, offered warm and friendly physical spaces. This discovery was the starting point for a dream: to create a Career Center at IÉSEG that would be both welcoming and functional.

In a world increasingly driven by technology and AI, the development of interpersonal skills is becoming absolutely essential. IÉSEG’s new Career Centers are dedicated to developing these skills in students, teaching them how to build a strong network and overcome barriers to engage in conversations in a professional context with confidence.  This is particularly important for first-year students, who are often intimidated by the process.

A physical space for a premium experience

Digitalization has brought many advantages in terms of accessibility and flexibility. However, Valérie and her team have understood that the presence of a physical location remains crucial to student success. Beyond professional support, students need a space where they feel reassured and supported. 

“We believe that physical proximity fosters the development of strong relationships based on trust between students and the Career Center team. The Career Center offers a dynamic and friendly environment, resources and opportunities for networking and face-to-face interaction, guaranteeing personalized support. Our aim is to facilitate human interaction – with ourselves, with companies, with alumni…”, explains Valérie MARRAGOU.

Contrary to what is often observed in France, where Career Centers are mainly intended for executive education programs, the new spaces at IÉSEG are designed for all students from the first year onwards. They are intended to be vibrant living spaces, where the barriers between the administrative team and the students are broken down. This encourages students to come spontaneously and feel confident in discussing their professional future.

By lending the space to the Incubator for events such as pitches, the Corporate Relations Department is also demonstrating its commitment to creating a collaborative and stimulating environment. The team will also host events with companies, meetings with student delegates, and be a source of information on programs such as VIE and VIA.

As of the start of the new academic year in September 2024, internship and career services will be set up, and some career courses will be taught directly in the Career Center. The aim is to create a feeling of closeness between students and the administrative team right from the first year, making it natural for them to come to the Career Center afterwards. Individual support remains a priority, with one-to-one sessions enabling in-depth, personalized follow-up.

“The mission of the IÉSEG Career Center is to guide students towards the job of their dreams, in line with their own intrinsic skills, motivations and aspirations. But beyond this ambition, the real goal is to help students find their place in society. This is only possible by creating a relationship of trust, made even stronger by the new Career Centers. They are a space for life, exchange and personal growth, embodying the school’s modern and inclusive vision for its students,” concludes Valérie MARRAGOU.