Since the start of the 2015 academic year, Arts et Métiers APE, a tailor-made professional support program for students that aims to increase their employability and prepare them for the challenges they will face in their professional careers. In concrete terms, engineering students in the Grande École Program receive 9 to 12 hours of support in groups of 12 to 24 students, and 1 to 2 hours of individual support during each of the five academic semesters. Approximately 300 professionals visit the Arts et Métiers campuses each year Arts et Métiers part of the APE program.
Testimonial from François Florence, second-year student at the Cluny campus
How does APE differ from traditional support services focused on communication tools such as resumes and cover letters?
The APE is a way for me to get a glimpse of the professional environment and begin to understand how companies work. During my internship, I noticed that thanks to the advice of the speakers, we quickly become operational in the corporate environment because we have the keys to understanding the recruiters' strategy and the managers' expectations.
The feedback from some of our colleagues during APE sessions is also very interesting in terms of understanding how many companies operate.
Beyond these practical aspects of understanding corporate life, the unique feature of the APE lies in its ability to support us over the long term, enabling us to build our career plans.
My industrial management professors always told me that "management is about planning ahead," and it's true that this is very relevant in an industrial context. I appreciate seeing this philosophy reflected in APE's support. The instructors encourage us to ask ourselves many questions through activities starting in the first year, which allows us to test the limits of our professional projects and consider alternatives so that we can always move forward.
Our thinking is guided by individual meetings each semester, allowing us to receive personalized support and ask questions freely.
Finally, APE speakers come from a wide range of backgrounds (technical, management, HR, etc.). This allows us to be open-minded about different visions of the company. I find it extremely interesting to meet such a diverse range of speakers through the APE.
What has the APE brought you? How have you progressed in developing your career plan?
Having completed preparatory classes, I arrived at Arts et Métiers a rough idea of a career plan in the field of industrial management, but I was a little confused by the many opportunities offered by the Arts et Métiers program. However, I was motivated by project management, entrepreneurship, and industry.
The APE first allowed me to identify my professional interests. I was then able to develop my career plan over the course of the sessions and through my contacts with certain people in the business world. During the APE, I realized that it was essential for me to develop my cross-functional skills within the technical context Arts et Métiers.
The individual APE meetings allowed me to question certain choices, to compare my expectations with the reality of the company, and above all to consider different paths in order to find a job that I like in case of unforeseen circumstances.
The individual APE meetings allowed me to question certain choices, to compare my expectations with the reality of the company, and above all to consider different paths in order to find a job that I like in case of unforeseen circumstances. This was possible thanks to the APE's coaching approach, and I know that I can count on this support system until I graduate, should I encounter any difficulties.
Finally, thanks to the various career paths highlighted as part of the APE, I can now approach the uncertain health situation with a little more peace of mind, as I have been able to think ahead about different strategies for achieving my professional goals.
Testimonial from Laurent Perinet, ArianeGroup Industrial Production Manager, APE speaker on the Bordeaux-Talence campus for 5 years
Why did you want to get involved in the PTA?
From a personal perspective and as a Gadzart, it is natural for me to assist Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers preparing for their transition into the workforce.
Professionally, my company ArianeGroup has Arts et Métiers many years ranked Arts et Métiers among the schools with which it has a special relationship. It is in this capacity that it has identified me as one of ArianeGroup's ambassadors toArts et Métiers supports my participation in the APE.
What do you think is unique about this device?
The scope of topics covered offers a rare approach due to its comprehensiveness. It ranges from basics such as CVs, letters, pitches, etc. to rarely discussed topics such as dealing with failure. The program even includes personality tests like those we would do in a company. For me, the APE program is on par with professional consulting services such as outplacement. It is an incredible opportunity for students to have such support as part of their academic curriculum.
For me, the APE program is on par with professional consulting services such as outplacement. It is an incredible opportunity for students to have this kind of support as part of their academic program.
What do you think you bring to the PTA? What do you learn there?
Relying on experienced managers like myself, who have themselves carried out numerous recruitments, gives students the opportunity to receive a wide range of advice based on real-life examples. This is a crucial differentiating factor compared to simple theoretical advice. Furthermore, facilitating sessions as we do during our corporate workshops puts students on the path to professional development. In return, students bring me their fresh, unfiltered perspectives. Their questions and comments are often refreshing. This gives me the opportunity to evolve my own view of young people in the recruitment process and when starting a new job. Finally, I must admit that I get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing the progress students make from session to session.
