Sophie Caillaud, class of 2018

Can you describe your academic and professional background?

After two years at the Franco-German campus of Sciences Po in Nancy, in a double degree program with the Faculty of Law of the University of Lorraine, and a third year in Vienna (Austria), I joined the Paris campus in the Master in Public Policy. I did a gap year between my M1 and M2, which allowed me to discover the public sector thanks to internships in prefectures, ministries, and local authorities, and to familiarize myself with social policies during my last internship in the social action department of the City of Paris. I joined YCE partners shortly after my graduation.

What were the main steps in the development of your professional project?

Having started my studies in a double degree program with the Faculty of Law in Nancy, I was first attracted to legal careers. Over the years, I realized that my favorite subject was public law, which led me to join the Master in Public Policy at the School of Public Affairs at Sciences Po. The lessons I received there and the internships I pursued reinforced my interest in the public sector, and more particularly in social policies.

Indeed, during my gap year, I had the opportunity to spend six months at the Inspection générale des finances in Bercy as a mission assistant. This experience was very enriching, but it made me realize that I wanted to work in a job where I would find more meaning in my daily life. So I interned at the Direction de l'action sociale de la Ville de Paris, which affirmed my desire to work in social policies. After attempting the ENA (Ecole Nationale d'Administration) competitive examination, I looked for a job that would allow me to maintain a high level of intellectual stimulation while feeling useful on a personal level: that's when I joined YCE partners.

What was the recruitment process like at YCE Partners?

After applying via the Welcome to the Jungle portal, I was invited to an initial interview lasting about an hour and a half with two consultants (one senior and one junior). They explained to me how the firm works, described their respective missions, and asked me questions about my background, my motivation, my vision of consulting and the consulting profession. The discussion was very fluid and benevolent, but also demanding: I appreciated this peer-to-peer recruitment system. I then met separately with the two founding partners of the firm, who explained to me the strategic challenges of their company and the sector. I finally received a job offer... which I accepted immediately!

What are the main characteristics of your job today?  

As a consultant at YCE, I work with public and private clients in the social protection sector on management and strategy assignments. I juggle between very different themes and missions: analysis of public policies in the health and healthcare sector, project management for Pôle emploi, development of a website for a group of complementary pension institutions... This diversity requires a lot of adaptability and is really stimulating. This is what makes YCE different: our presence on the entire value chain of social protection, in the public and private sectors. We intervene as well in the regulatory framework as in the basic protection (public), the complementary protection (private), and the risk prevention.

I also participate in the internal functioning of the firm, whose management is very inclusive. For example, I have been asked to write articles on current issues in social protection, to think about the layout of our new offices or to participate in the organization of a call for projects to support initiatives in the field of social inclusion.

How did your training at the School of Public Affairs contribute to the position you hold today? 

The School of Public Affairs allowed me to acquire a solid knowledge of the public sector, its actors and its issues, as well as a good understanding of social policies. Beyond this sectoral knowledge, the teaching methods taught me to work in a team, to make oral presentations, and to write in a synthetic manner. Finally, it is thanks to the EAP and its network of partner companies at Sciences Po that I discovered the firm where I work today, even though I was not initially destined for the consulting sector. I am proof that one can be very happy, fulfilled, and feel useful... even in the private sector!

learn more

• The Public Administration policy stream
• The Master in Public Policy at the School of Public Affairs

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