Laureen Calcat, Class of 2022

Can you describe your academic and professional background?

I followed a relatively classic path at Sciences Po: two years at the Europe-Asia campus in Le Havre, 1 year of study (3A) in China, then a Master's degree in dual degree with HEC (Master in Management at HEC and Master in Public Policy at Sciences Po). I would say that the common thread running through my studies has been China: I've been learning Chinese since I was at secondary school, and the trip I was lucky enough to make there when I was 13 with my Chinese language class aroused my curiosity to such an extent that I have continued to devote many hours to this language, which is as poetic as it is complex, throughout my studies. It was quite natural for me to choose the Le Havre campus, followed by a year at Peking University (Beida) in intensive Chinese. This year was so rich in discoveries that I made a vow to myself to return to China, a vow that came true in August 2022, when I took off from Paris for my first job, heading for the 'capital of the North', Beijing.

My career path is still very much in its infancy, having only started my professional life a year ago. In terms of internships, I've gone from luxury sales at Louis Vuitton, to sustainable mobility at Michelin, to auditing international organisations at the Cour des Comptes, and finally to negotiations for COP15 Biodiversity at the DG Trésor (French Treasury, French Ministry of the Economy). As my studies and internships progressed, I realised that the mission that would motivate me at work from now on would be the ecological transition.

With the VIA (Volontariat International en Administration) that I'm now doing at the French Embassy in China as sustainable development, energy and transport attachée, I'm now combining my two major interests: the environment and China.

What are the main features of your current position as sustainable development attachée at the French Embassy in China?

I'm on a VIA contract at the embassy. It's a very interesting 1 to 2 year contract for young people under 30 (at the time of application) who want to go abroad and discover diplomacy, without having to commit themselves body and soul to competitive examinations whose outcome is by nature uncertain. For those who prefer to work in a company, there are also VIE (Volontariat International en Entreprise) contracts. The VIA/E is not just a professional experience, it's a real life experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone!

At the embassy, I work in the Regional Economic Service (SER), which is the international branch of the French Treasury. There are four of us in my department, responsible for the environment/climate/energy/transport part of French-Chinese relations. My superior and his deputy look after the institutional side (meetings and negotiations with Chinese ministries, preparing official visits, etc.) and the business side (reporting French companies’ problems, supporting their projects, etc.). For my part, I'm more responsible for the analytical side (writing notes and fact sheets, responding to ministerial orders, weekly news briefs), I organise and take part in a few events, and I provide support to my colleagues. When an important visit takes place (such as that of President Macron in April 2023), we are all mobilised. Another project close to my heart is the Green Embassy initiative (“Ambassade Verte”), which aims to reduce the carbon and environmental footprint of French embassies. For example, I'm planning to organize a Climate Fresk for the Embassy staff.

How did the School of Public Affairs, and more specifically your dual degree course with HEC, contribute to your current position?

The public sector seemed to me to be something obscure and inaccessible. My Master's degree helped me demystify public administration and gave me a sense of legitimacy when I applied for my first placement. One thing led to another and my internship at the French Treasury helped me to get the VIA. Of course, the training at Le Havre campus gave me many keys to work in China, and the Master in Public Policy taught me the requirements to work in public administration, particularly writing. In my current job, I don't feel that I'm fully using what I learnt at HEC, which is much more focused on the business side, but it does give me the flexibility to move into the private sector in the future. So I would say that the major contribution of my degree is to give me a wide range of possibilities, it gives me a choice, and it allows me to change direction.

Can you tell us about your motivation when you applied for this dual degree and what it has meant for your career prospects?

When I applied for the Sciences Po-HEC dual degree, I was in my small student room in Beijing. I had three feelings at the time: that I would return to China, that I would work in a company and that I would devote myself to protecting the environment. In the end, I chose public administration, which I hadn't really considered at the time. The dual degree opens more doors than it closes, giving you a chance to learn the basics of business and the basics of public administration. For some, it means they can take public administration examinations, for others it means they can work for a large company or a start-up, and for still others it means they can go abroad. The dual degree has opened the door to different adventures for me, and allows me to pursue my career path with relative confidence.

Would you have any advice for a student or future graduate?

It's hard to give advice when I'm only at the start of my own career and it's always been difficult for me to make choices... My advice would simply be to follow your instincts when you have to make decisions that aren't obvious. Mine led me to China (in the middle of Covid) and I don't regret it!

Learn more

• The Corporate and Public Management dual degree (Sciences Po, EAP - HEC)
• The Master in Public Policy at the School of Public Affairs