This month we meet Jeanne-Claire, a student on a vocational degree in Organisational Management. With one foot in university and the other in the workplace, she tells us about her year of work-linked study.
Introduce yourself.
My name is Jeanne-Claire CAREME CALONNE. I completed my secondary education at the Externat Saint Joseph where I obtained my economic and social baccalaureate. I went on to study at the IUT in Kourou, where I obtained my DUT in Marketing Techniques. I'm currently finishing my year of a professional degree in Organisational Management - Business Creation (still at the Kourou IUT/University CFA). I'm doing this work-linked training with CHAMAZONE PROMO, a small property development company and subsidiary of the CHAMAZONE GROUP holding company.
Why did you choose to do this year on a sandwich course?
I chose this path because it was the logical continuation of my training at the IUT in Kourou, but also because it's a multi-disciplinary degree. We obviously study management, but also human resources, finance, general and in-depth accounting, corporate strategy and law. We also have more cross-disciplinary subjects such as corporate communication, corporate social responsibility and information and communication technologies. We are trained to become future executives and business managers in all sectors of activity. In my opinion, this is the most comprehensive degree and the one that suited me best. The other advantage of this degree is that it's a sandwich course. So it allows me to follow my courses while gaining professional experience. The pace of this degree is ideal because we're in the company every other week. This allows us to follow the projects in their entirety. There's a lot to learn in the classroom, but the work-study programme allows us to apply the concepts we've learned and, above all, to put them into practice and see the successes and failures. It's a real opportunity for us, and I think it's essential if you want to complete your training.
What are your work-linked assignments?
My tasks at CHAMAZONE PROMO are varied. As a management assistant, I work with all the different trades. As CHAMAZONE PROMO is a small company with fewer than 11 employees, we're very versatile. That's a real advantage for my apprenticeship. I'm multi-skilled, but my main duties are in marketing and communication. My main task is to adapt the company's offering to the needs of the market, so that it is more efficient and operational in the face of competition. To do this, I'm putting in place the tools needed to monitor sales and administrative activity, which didn't exist before. I'm helping to digitalise Chamazone Promo. For example, I've worked on setting up customer relationship management software and a site monitoring application for customers. I've also helped redesign the website and created mini websites for the property developments being marketed. I'm in charge of communications on social networks. At the moment, I'm preparing our participation in the Salon de l'Habitat, which will take place in June. I'm also doing a bit of bookkeeping (filing and data entry).
How have you benefited from this year of work-linked training?
I've gained a lot from this year. Firstly, in professional terms. My weeks in the field mean that I can immediately put into practice what I've learnt in theory and what I know at my host company. I'm building a professional network thanks to the contacts I make when I'm at Chamazone. It's a real asset on my CV. On a personal level, I'm discovering the business world and developing my personality: I've become more self-confident and autonomous.
Is it difficult to do work-linked training?
No, it's not difficult to do work-linked study. It just requires good organisation and rigour. We're in the company about every other week and during the school holidays. So we have to find a rhythm between classes, work in the company and our personal life. It's a rhythm you have to get used to, but it's worth it.
What are your plans for the future?
I haven't decided anything yet, but I'm still hesitating between continuing my studies in a Master's programme in French Guiana, in mainland France or abroad; or doing a gap year, i.e. working, doing humanitarian work or travelling before pursuing my career plan.
Do you have any advice for your fellow students who might be tempted by a sandwich course?
Go for it! It's a superb, rewarding experience that opens your eyes to the professional world. It's a real opportunity to be curious, to learn and to put the lessons into practice, so that you come out of it all the more mature. I'd tell them not to hesitate to choose a sandwich course!
