Sarah, apprentice in the Diversity & Inclusion Department, Axa France

When I began my Master's degree at Sciences Po, my background was primarily focused on academia and research. This gave me strong theoretical and conceptual knowledge, along with skills in analysis, writing, and critical thinking. However, I was eager to explore the professional world beyond academia. For several reasons, I felt that an apprenticeship was the ideal way to do so.

Firstly, I believed the apprenticeship may offer more hands-on training and foster deeper skill development: by joining a team for a year as an apprentice, I anticipated becoming involved in medium-term projects and taking on more responsibilities. Secondly, I saw the apprenticeship as a valuable opportunity to build deep professional connections and best prepare for entering the workforce: the year-long contract would allow me to establish a stable presence in a team and benefit from strong mentorship, helping me develop my networking and professional skills. Finally, I recognized that apprenticeships often provide better compensation and benefits compared to internships.

These expectations proved accurate, so I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue an apprenticeship while studying at PSIA!

I joined the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Department at AXA France, within the Human Resources Division. My primary responsibilities pertained to designing, implementing, and promoting effective action plans and programs: I conducted and analyzed benchmarks, surveys, and interviews, organized training sessions and large-scale events in collaboration with internal and external partners, and created support and outreach materials. Additionally, I monitored and reported on key developments in the D&I sector by conducting desk research, attending external events, and preparing briefs for meetings with policymakers and lawmakers in liaison with the Public Affairs team.

I can say I landed this role thanks to PSIA Career Education and Advice Manager who brought the job offer to my attention, and thanks to my academic advisor, who encouraged me to explore opportunities in the private sector despite my primary focus on public institutions. My academic background and active involvement in student organizations played a key role in securing the position. My Bachelor thesis and concentration at Sciences Po focused on feminist policy-making and gender studies. This demonstrated my passion for inclusion and piqued the interest of my team at AXA France, as they sought to innovate within their activities. Additionally, my experience in various student organizations highlighted my proactivity, reliability, and versatility, which proved valuable in the fast-paced environment of the D&I team.

I will begin a Bluebook Traineeship in March 2025 at the European External Action Service (EEAS) within the Gender and Diversity Taskforce. The team works to advance gender mainstreaming and integrate diversity and inclusion into both the internal and external activities of the EEAS. Hence, this role is the perfect opportunity to combine the hands-on experience I acquired at AXA France with the knowledge I gained during my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, where I focused on European Studies and international collective action for gender equality, sustainable development, and inclusive peace. A great reminder that exploring all options helps everything fall into place!