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NEWS & FEATURES |
Interview of the month - August 2001: Fabien Moreau (Epsci 2000) Q: What is your background ? A: During my 4-year program at Epsci (Essec Group), I spent 18 months in San Jose, California. I was a student at San Jose State University for 2 semesters, and then a marketing analyst for UPS, during 6 months. I realized that I enjoy working in a US environment. Also, I knew that New York City was the place I wanted to live in the US. But before then, I wanted to make sure that I would decide which industry corresponds the most to my expectations. So, after my stay in California, I came back to Paris to finish my studies, and then started working in the dotcom business. On my second job (for a start-up called dooyoo.com), back at the beginning of the year, I was an Ad Sales Director. This short stay (4 months) at dooyoo.com made me realize that Advertising was my thing. So I knew where to go (New York) and what I wanted to do out there: working for a large advertising network. Back in March 2001, I quitted my job, my family and friends to start a new life in New York. It was kind of difficult to find a job in this industry since advertising agencies are not doing too well right now. But, as usual (I am such a lucky person!), I found the dream job: Account Executive for Euro RSCG (www.eurorscg.com), working on the Air France account. Everything is going well for me now in Big Apple and I think I will enjoy this city for a few years… Q: Why did you decide to come and stay here? A: I didn’t decide to move to the US for my career, in order to “sell” myself better when I go back to Europe. The only thing that decided me to move to New York is the lifestyle out there: the people, the mix of cultures, the skyline, the clubs, the women…well, a little bit of everything! Q: What advice would you give to Essec people willing to come to work here? A: First advice would be to go to the place they want to settle in to look for a job. Things do not come to you if you don’t go and get them. I know some friends that want to settle in the US but are waiting for their company (in Europe) to send them out here. Well…they might wait for a long time. My second advice would be to move before the first anniversary after last diploma obtained. Because during one year after graduating, you are still eligible for a J-1 visa (trainee) that doesn’t require a sponsorship for the company, and that can be obtained in 2 weeks only. That makes it easier to convince your future employer… Q: How do you think your Essec background helped you to be where you are? A: To be honest. My Epsci-Essec diploma didn’t help me much by itself. Let me explain. People out here do not know Essec better than any other business school in France. My Essec background helped to a different extent. The fact that I have an Essec background helped me getting interesting work experiences back in Europe, that were useful in my job hunting out here. Plus they are always a lot of Epsci and Essec alumni in the US, willing to help the newcomers. That is a great asset, to use the “network” when you arrive in a new country. Q: This leads us to our last question, what do you consider as your role in the Essec Family ? A: Well, this is the key question. There is quite a large Essec network here in the US and we should have a big role to play. First thing is that our school should get other students/alumni aware that we exist, and that we are willing to help them. There is no way I can contact EssecUSA if I don’t know that this exist, right? That is the first stage, getting our students & alumni to think “EssecUSA” when they are looking for a work experience in the US. After that, we should help those people understanding the legal procedures to work here, and let them benefit from our experience: where they should go, what they should ask, what they should say during an interview, what they should never say. All those little details will give this adventurous person a better chance to succeed in his relocation. Also, we can help them for other issues than job hunting: finding a place to stay, getting to meet people… Right now, EssecUSA is throwing a monthly gathering that is always very interesting. Those were helpful to me, and I hope that more and more new people will attend to benefits from everyone’s experience.
Thank you ...
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