When dealing with the management and the students from the ESAM, I noticed a real desire to establish a strong, long-standing partnership with companies. This closeness to businesspeople means that the curriculum can be adapted in a practical and efficient way. This approach prepares the students and helps them enter the workplace smoothly and painlessly.
But what if the world changes, what if customer expectations demand an increasingly pro-active approach? This in no way precludes a respect for traditional values and a strong moral code of conduct.
I have noticed that at the ESAM, this philosophy is central. It was reassuring to hear the ESAM being honest and realistic with its students by reminding them that they have to take themselves in hand, manage their careers themselves, that they can’t expect everything to be handed to them on a plate either by their school or the company… It is no good dreaming; interesting jobs, responsibilities and professional success all need strong personal implication, lots of work and a global outlook… The ESAM, which wisely emphasizes the need for an aptitude to undertake new ventures and to be multi-skilled, does not hide these facts from its students: it prepares them to deal with it.
« At the end of their training, they have all the skills necessary to become profit centre managers who are self-reliant and efficient ».
For several years, La Croissanterie has been taking on ESAM students.
They have a number of real strengths. Apart from a high level of general culture which allows them to represent a company and to be credible contacts with our different partners, they have a very good knowledge of SMEs and how they work. This makes them efficient managers who are almost immediately operational.
Their multidisciplinary training and excellent mastery of IT tools means they can work efficiently in different departments of a SME. At the end of their training, they have all the skills needed to become profit centre managers who are self-reliant and efficient. That’s why we systematically offer them a permanent job in the network when they have qualified.
« The ESAM is a real "breeding ground" for new staff »
CERIS, a cooperative in the health care and social welfare sector, has a big need for company legal advisors, especially for advice on labour laws. The practical aspect of the courses taught at the ESAM and the block-release formula offered to companies was what made us decide us to choose this school. Charlotte’s typical ‘ESAM’ profile meant that we were sure to have someone who could make interesting suggestions and adapt quickly to the technical aspects of her job in the cooperative.
If I had to outline the main appeal of ESAM trainees, I would say that their main strength is being almost immediately operational, their ability to reason and their excellent technical skills. From CERIS’s point of view, the ESAM is a real ‘breeding ground’ for new employees.
« It is a tradition at the BRED – Banque Populaire to take on young student on placement. »
In 2003, I had the pleasure to welcome, for the first time in my department, a fifth-year student from the ESAM, within the framework of a long professional assignment. The ‘skills-based’ approach that the ESAM has developed, without a doubt, makes it easier for the student to be integrated within the company. Indeed, this student proved to be operational immediately and showed real commitment and an ability to take on responsibility.
The consultancy work that she carried out during her time in the company has been accepted as a priority project. Her enthusiasm, her ability to go for what was essential, and her professional maturity were such that we offered her a job at the BRED – Banque Populaire.
Now she is a member of our staff and we are delighted by her achievements. Ever since, we continue to put our trust in the ESAM.
« The students and the company are both winners in this type of training scheme »
Before, I wasn’t aware of the ‘Part Time’ concept as defined by the ESAM; but now I am convinced what a good idea it is..
It is a way for the student to adapt to the workings of the company and to put the theoretical knowledge they have learnt to day-to-day use.
We recruited Lassana in the commercial service of our agency. Gradually, I let him work more and more independently and gave him more professional responsibilities. Today I consider him to be a real employee. The ‘professional skills’ approach implemented by the ESAM has shown itself to be very efficient.
My objective is, obviously, to take him on permanently as he has shown himself to be an excellent member of staff. It’s a fact: the student and the company are both winners in this system.