How Mandatory Internships in French Business Schools Prepare Students for Global Careers: A Firsthand Perspective
- Irion Dekov
- May 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 11
Author: Hugo Demay
Understanding the Structure and Goals of French Internships
The internships are mandatory at programs at French business school. A requirement for nearly every program, internships are integrated to bridge the theory and practice gap. According to the “Conférence des grandes écoles”, over 95% of business school programs include at least one mandatory internship.
These internships range from 2-6 months and are integrated at different stages of the academic cycle, short internships during the first year and longer, strategic internships during the last year. The aim is quite clear: to render the students employable by the time they graduate.
French business schools also require students to submit detailed internship reports and oral defenses thereof, thus making the learning experience both directive and reflective.
Comparing International Internship Practices
Other nations approach internships differently, however, than France does. Internships, for example, occur frequently in the U.S., but oftentimes internships are unpaid and sometimes volunteer, especially within the media or political industries. In France, however, internships over 2 months must be compensated, for a minimum rate of approximately €4.35/hour.
German internships are required for technical fields but shorter and less formalized for business studies. Project work and part-student work, however, are preferred by the Nordic countries like Sweden instead of mandatory internships.
France stands out for having integrated internships solidly into the system for validating degrees, making them an integral part of professional learning.
Real-World Skills Gained Through Internships
Internships provide experience in real-world business environments that cannot be replicated using textbooks. Students obtain practical hard and soft skills through actual experience:
-Team work and communication: Working in multicultural teams makes you adaptable and culturally sensitive.
-Time management: Managing deadlines for completing tasks and working alone teaches self-discipline.
-Technical abilities: The learners develop technical abilities involving working on software like Excel, WordPress, CRM systems, or Google Analytics depending on the industry.
A survey carried out by Apec (Association pour l'emploi des cadres) in 2023 found that 82% of employers view work experience gained through internships as an important factor when looking for newly graduated students to hire. Moreover, 57% of interned students, as reported by LinkedIn, got hired by the company they interned at.
These figures attest to the fact that internships are more than academic requirements, they're career enhancers.
Firsthand Experience: Currently Living the Internship
I work as an intern for Vision Factory, which organizes international experience for students from across the entire continent of Europe. While it is still ongoing, I can already see its value.
Working within a multicultural team has broadened my English communication and adaptability. I’m learning to write for SEO, blogging, and working under deadlines and delivering remotely.
This experience helps me recognize work expectations on an international scale and being able to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds. It also prepares me to be effective at bridging cultures, a much-desired asset for cross-cultural careers.
According to a 2024 Eurostat report, nearly 29% of young professionals indicate that internships abroad helped them secure their first job, especially among multinationals.
Developing a Global Business Mindset
One of the most important benefits of mandatory internships is gaining a global mindset. French business schools increasingly encourage and even oblige students to go for internships abroad. It's part of the overall objective to prepare them for globally oriented professional careers.
Through an international internship, they gain:
Language competence within the corporate environment
-Knowledge of international markets
-Cross-cultural communication skills
Over 42,000 French students studied abroad for internships in 2022, and the trend is further increasing, based on Campus France. This reflects an overall increased demand for international experience from both employers and students.
Furthermore, Forbes reported in 2023 that international experience makes graduating job candidates 23% more hireable.
Maximizing the Internship Experience
To make the most out of their internship, students should:
1. Define specific aims: Decide what knowledge or competence they wish to gain.
2.Step in and be proactive: Volunteer for activities and pose questions.
3.Track progress: Make a daily or weekly record of activities, problems, and accomplishments.
4. Seeking feedback: Ongoing appraisal enhances performance and enhances learning.
To date, keeping weekly targets and briefing my supervisor regularly has already aided me in monitoring my progress and keeping myself focused. A 2022 Business Insider survey found interns who regularly received feedback to be 30% more likely to be offered a full-time role than interns who didn't receive feedback regularly.
Conclusion
French business school mandatory internships are more than a graduation requirement they are a launching pad for a career. By integrating school theory and practical application, they equip students to tackle the international job market head-on.
Locally within France and abroad, these internships provide worthwhile professional connections, hone major skills, and enable individuals to clarify career aspirations. As I approach completion of my own internship here in Barcelona, I’m learning not only about international ways of doing business, but about my own potential as an international professional sometime down the line.
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