Robin Lafosse, Class of 2021

Can you describe your academic and professional background?

Before joining Thales, I was lucky enough to have my first professional experience at the École Militaire in Paris. As a project manager for the National Session, I accompanied two 'Armaments and Defence Economics' (AED) classes throughout France, in mainland France and overseas, and as far afield as Indonesia and Korea.

This first position was undoubtedly a continuation of my training. I am a graduate of the School of Public Affairs and the Special Military School of Saint-Cyr. I did my Master 2 at Coëtquidan as part of the dual degree offered by Sciences Po.

Throughout my studies at Rue Saint Guillaume, I wanted to combine an academic career with more operational experience. That's why, alongside my studies at the School of Public Affairs, I joined the SNCF's security department, the French Overseas Territories Ministry and the office of the Chief of Staff of the French Army.

At Saint-Cyr, you'd have to write a book about it. It's the fatigue, the cold, the humidity, the camaraderie. It's Guyana, Bois-Du-Loup and Marchfeld. It's about adventure and commitment.

What were the major stages in the development of your career plan?

When I joined Sciences Po in 2015, I was 18. There was no specialised course in security and defence. I had no preference in my studies and was wandering from dissertation to dissertation without thinking about my career plan.

On 13 November, three months after my arrival in Paris, I was at the Stade de France. That confirmed my instinct to build a personal and professional future around the Armed Forces-Nation link, without knowing at the time how it would materialise. Then came the creation of the SPDS "Sciences Po Défense & Stratégie" association (in which I had the honour of being a vice-president), the creation of the Security and Defence stream at the School of Public Affairs (where I had the honour of representing my fellow students for a year), the opportunity to join the military reserves, and so on. It all made sense to me.

What are the main features of your current job as International Relations Manager at Thales?  

Thales is a major French group specialising in cutting-edge critical technologies. There is no shortage of subjects, ranging from defence to solutions used by a large number of people (I'm thinking of banking transactions or entertainment screens in aircraft, for example). So, as part of the International Relations department, I'm responsible for liaising with various institutions in Paris (embassies, ministries, industrial organisations) on the Group's export issues. I also work with a small team to prepare international political and diplomatic deadlines for the Thales Executive Committee.

How did your training at the School of Public Affairs, and more specifically the Security and Defence stream, contribute to the position you hold today?  

As I mentioned earlier, I have to pay tribute to a programme that combines purely academic learning (history and political philosophy, law and public finance) with constant contact with senior lecturers (Director General of the National Police, former Prime Minister, senior civil servants and company executives).

As for the School of Public Affairs, there is a real advantage in rubbing shoulders with those who specialise in cultural, European, health or energy public affairs. This diversity is invaluable.

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

Take advantage of your free time as a student to wander around Paris.

learn more

• The Security and Defence stream at the School of Public Affairs
• The Sciences Po / Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan dual degree (in French)