Combining international mobility and an end-of-studies internship with the prospect of a job offer is possible! That's what happened to Jérôme Hoareau, a third-year engineering student who spent six months in Poland as part of his end-of-studies internship atDevillé ASC.
In February 2022, Jérôme set off for Poland, specifically Poznan, a city in the center-west of the country, with his car loaded with warm clothes. Three days later, he arrived at his destination and moved into a cosmopolitan student residence."There were lots of young Erasmus students from all over Europe, but unlike them, I didn't have the same schedule because I was working!"explains Jérôme. His days were indeed very busy. In Poland, the concept of work is continuous. Employees work eight hours straight with a short 30-minute lunch break. Jérôme had to adapt to this pace, which has certain advantages: "People arrive early and finish very early. The days are intense, but on the other hand, that leaves time for your personal life. What struck me as strange was that there weren't as many opportunities for socializing, but people were very efficient and happy to work, and there was a very good atmosphere."
An internship that opens the doors to the company
Jérôme joined a design office atDevillé ASC, a subsidiary of the company specializing in the manufacture of automotive components, for six months. "I worked in a department of about twenty people, more specifically on a major mechanical design project for stamping, which I managed to complete before returning to France."
The company was very satisfied with his work and offered him a position as a product development engineer. "It was a wonderful experience that opened the doors to Devillé for me. I am very happy to be joining the Baugé-en-Anjou site next March!"
The icing on the cake was that Jérôme recently received a package from his colleagues in Poland. "They sent me the first parts to come out of the factory made with the tool I developed." Beyond the parts, it was the congratulations from his team that warmed his heart: "I was truly integrated and considered a 'real engineer'!"
An appealing country despite its unique circumstances
Jérôme arrived in Poland at the same time as the start of the war in Ukraine, an event that shook Poland and the Polish people."There were lots of refugees, especially in train stations and youth hostels when I was visiting the country. It was impressive. The atmosphere was quite unusual,"explains Jérôme. Nevertheless, he took advantage of his time in Poland to visit the country. "Everything was built after the war, so it's very clean everywhere. I really liked Krakow, but Gdansk is my favorite city. It's located in northern Poland and is an old port on the coast. It's a country with low unemployment, there's a lot of work, and the Polish people are very friendly,"he explains.
Going abroad: a complete immersion to enrich your skills
Completing an end-of-studies internship at a company in another country is an experience that allows students to demonstrate their adaptability and discover a different way of living and working. "Living in a foreign country is different from just spending your vacation there. Practicing English is essential; it's a complete immersion from both a professional and personal point of view."It was a wonderful experience that allowed him to gain mobility while completing his end-of-studies internship, and what's more, to be hired at the end of his internship!
Internship details:
The progressive stamping tool is mounted on a 500-ton hydraulic press. It shapes a metal strip as it advances through the tool. Each press stroke produces two parts, enabling the high production rates required by the automotive industry.
