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NEWS & FEATURES |
Interview of the month - March 2000: Christian Bétheuil (ESSEC 1995) Q: What is your background ? A: After the Essec as apprentice, I went to Puerto Rico (Usa) for my civil service as Cost Analyst for L'Oreal. Once the Csne was over, I refused a position for the same company in France and decided to join Laboratoires Esthederm in New York to fill their newly created Finance and Administration Director position. After one year at this position I decided to resign and supported a Communication start up, Lightningcast, for their business plan during their earliest development. At the end of 1999, I joined Lalique North America as Budget Analyst and Internal Auditor. Q: Why did you decide to come and stay here? A: My first international experience in Brazil and Puerto Rico, opened a door to a new style of life, a new way to see day to day life so different from the French way. New York seemed to be the perfect place to experience it ! ... I did not get disapointed. Q: What advice would you give to Essec people willing to come to work here? A: The main idea would be that you do not go to the Us to leave France but really because you are attracted and willing to build something. It is not a surprise that people say about NY "if you can do it here, you can do it anywhere". You have to be prepared and have a clear objective, a drive. It is the reason why I did not join Lightningcast even if it was an impressive start-up, it was just "not in my plan". My personal moto is "if you want it you can do it" and I think it is a perfect state of mind. You have to take risks but know them, ... if you don' do it, nobody will do it for you. Q: How do you think your Essec background helped you to be where you are? A: Despite what I just noticed, I would not be here without my apprentice at Louis Dreyfus during which I acquired valuable experiences, one of which was the Brazil assignment. The Essec Group was the only school to offer this program, and my tutor, an Essec Alumni was of a great help and advices. Of course my diploma and experiences opened the doors of the French companies where I worked. Even if the name was a door opener, the large scope of courses and broad understanding of the business that the open selection of courses the Essec gave me was a support to succeed. Moreover, a key factor of my presence in the Us is the support and advices I received from some Imhi alumni during my last job search. I wanted to enter the Hotel and Tourism industry and they were here to give advices and recomendations. It is the reason why I believe that the Groupe Essec Alumni should consider what they Essec did for them and what they can do for the Essec. Q: This leads us to our last question, what do you consider as your role in the Essec Family ? A: Compare the Essec Groupe to other prestigious business schools and you will see that we can compete. Of course we have a lack of immediate recognition ... we are only a business school when our international competitors develop their name through many programs, spreading around and through strong alumni associations. It is the reason why I consider important to contribute to this development, spreading the name of Essec to headhunters and recruiters even if I am not in a job search ! At one time or the other I may need a strong Essec Name to support my experience. To act this way I decided to take responsibility of the Essec Website, Usa chapter to participate in building this image in the heart of our competition.
Thank you ...
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