Margaux MILLET - témoignage journée alumni 2021

Summary

Margot, a 2019 graduate of the Bachelor’s in International Business at UEM Strasbourg, shares her diverse academic and professional journey. From studying abroad in New York, Mexico, and Stockholm, to completing multiple internships in marketing, communication, and product management, she offers valuable insights into leveraging international experiences and internships for career success. Margot emphasizes the importance of networking, seizing opportunities, and building a strong CV from the outset. Her story highlights the benefits of working in startups and how real-world experience can shape one's career in business.

Takeaways

• 😀 Margot completed the Bachelor in International Business at UEM Strasbourg in 2019, sharing her experiences and insights about the program.
• 🌍 Margot spent her first year of the program abroad in New York, which she loved for its dynamic atmosphere, but found it challenging to meet local students.
• 💼 Her first internship at a customer service position at Sel ce Client in Strasbourg was tough, but it helped her develop skills in handling client objections and maintaining a positive attitude.
• 🤝 Margot highlights the importance of teamwork over the project itself in group work, sharing a lesson learned from her second-year humanitarian project in Peru.
• 🌱 She recommends finding reputable organizations when volunteering abroad to ensure safety and reliability, like the one she worked with in Peru, Mano a Mano.
• 📱 Margot stresses the significance of networking early, advising students to use LinkedIn, and creating a strong CV to stand out during internship applications.
• 🐾 Her second-year internship in marketing and communication at the Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix was a fulfilling experience that sparked her interest in marketing.
• ✈️ During her third year, Margot studied abroad in Mexico, where she enjoyed quality courses but faced challenges with housing and safety in certain areas.
• 📑 For internship success, Margot advises leveraging connections and recommends LinkedIn for finding opportunities, as she did with her various internships.
• 🚀 Margot gained broad experience in a startup during her third internship, where she worked on various tasks from commercial strategy to marketing, which prepared her for future roles in marketing and product management.
• 🎓 After finishing her Bachelor's, Margot directly entered a Master’s program at Skema Business School, where she specialized in International Marketing and Business Development, solidifying her career path in marketing.

Q & A

What advice does Margot give to students about networking?

Margot advises students to start networking early by creating a LinkedIn profile, connecting with people they know, and engaging with career services. Building a network is key for securing internships and job opportunities.

What challenges did Margot face in securing her internships?

Margot found it difficult to secure her second-year internship, especially when searching for roles in communication, marketing, and event management. She also faced challenges when looking for internships abroad, such as in Mexico, where securing an internship remotely was complicated.

How did Margot's time in New York impact her studies?

Margot's three-month stay in New York was a highlight of her first year. She loved the dynamic atmosphere of the city and appreciated the opportunity to interact with American students, although she found it challenging to meet them due to a lack of diversity in her class.

What was the focus of Margot's second-year humanitarian project?

In her second year, Margot worked on a humanitarian project with the association 'Arco Iris.' She traveled to Peru to help disadvantaged populations in a slum, engaging in various tasks like constructing a wall, maintaining a playground, and assisting in a solidarity restaurant.

What does Margot recommend about choosing between team dynamics and project focus in group activities?

Margot emphasizes the importance of focusing on the team dynamic rather than just the project itself. She found that a united, cohesive team contributes more to a successful project than the project alone.

What role did Margot play during her internship at the animal park 'Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix'?

Margot worked as a commercial and communication assistant, performing tasks such as market research, updating the website, handling customer inquiries, and creating marketing briefs. She enjoyed the diversity of tasks and found the internship valuable for her career development.

Why did Margot choose to study in Mexico for her third year?

Margot chose Mexico because she wanted to experience a Spanish-speaking country and preferred to study far from Europe. She appreciated the variety of courses offered, including marketing, packaging, and business models.

What were some of the pros and cons of Margot's time in Mexico?

The pros included high-quality courses, an impressive campus with great facilities, and active student associations. However, Margot found the city of Monterrey itself less visually appealing and faced challenges in finding accommodation upon arrival.

What lessons did Margot learn from her internship experiences?

Margot learned the importance of adaptability and flexibility in internships. She gained experience in various areas such as marketing, customer relations, and project management, which helped her discover her passion for marketing and product management.

What impact did Margot's experience with a startup have on her career perspective?

Working at a startup allowed Margot to take on a wide range of tasks across different departments, such as marketing, communications, logistics, and customer service. This exposure was extremely formative and helped her understand the value of diverse experience in building a successful career.