Apprenticeships help you gain experience for your future career while you are taking your Master’s. It’s both a job and a learning experience rolled into one. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of being an apprentice can help you decide if it’s the option that works best for you.
What is an Apprenticeship?
In simple terms, an apprenticeship is a way to split your time between school and working at a company. You’ll get hands-on experience in a professional environment while still attending your regular classes. It’s like having the best of both worlds – academic learning and practical experience. Time management is key!
Why Choose the Apprenticeship Track?
Since the Master in Management apprenticeship track started in 2001, nearly 2000 students have taken advantage of all that it has to offer. One reason for its success is that companies have found that it is a great way to hire their future employees. The apprentice is often offered a full-time job after finishing the apprenticeship.
Elias Orphelin, Class of 2021, who is now Head of Marketing at Siemens confirms, “The apprenticeship track is a very enriching opportunity as it allows you to combine the best of two worlds: that of a student and of a working professional. It is also a great way to perfect your time management skills. It is definitely the best way to not only finance your studies but also to acquire professional experience that is highly valued by employers. In fact, I am now in a full-time position at Siemens, where I started as an apprentice.”
Apprentices receive personal support from both work and school. They are mentored by professionals within the company and have guidance from an ESCP professor-tutor. This means they get professional insights from the workplace and academic support from ESCP.
Alumna Chloé Vu states, “My time as an apprentice was one of the most rewarding experiences of my MIM programme. The apprenticeship not only helped me build a strong professional network but also significantly boosted my confidence in workplace settings. I probably wouldn’t have had this opportunity without the support from a lot of the ESCP faculty and staff who really guided me through the whole apprenticeship process, from CV and cover letter preparations to interview tips and contract signing support and general work/life advice. I highly recommend this path to future students as it is a great means to bridge the gap between academia and the industry one might want to join.”
Partner companies play a crucial role in the success of the apprenticeship programme. They provide a practical learning environment and invest a lot of time and energy in training future talents. Companies like Chanel, HSBC, PWC, and Clarins trust our students and often recruit apprentices for higher responsibility positions after graduation.
Admission Requirements and Timeline (disadvantages)
The apprenticeship program at ESCP is accessible to students under 30 years old, proficient in French, and having completed the necessary academic prerequisites. Here’s what you need to know:
For First-Year (M1) Master Students: You need to have completed ESCP’s Pre-Master year or be admitted directly as a management profile (having taken a bachelor in business or management), successfully complete all courses from the Pre-master year (if applicable), be under 30 at the contract start, and speak fluent French (B2/C1). International students from outside the EU need a valid residence permit for France.
For Master 2 Students: You need to meet the same conditions plus have completed one academic semester outside the Paris campus during M1, not have started your M2, and have 6 months of prior professional experience with one company. The application process starts in March, and you must sign your contract before mid-October.
Hugo Jean, who is currently in his final year Master in Management: “I am completing a year-long apprenticeship at Microsoft, specifically within the startup division. My role at Microsoft focuses on sales, as a Business Developer in the partner team. I greatly value this apprenticeship as it has allowed me direct interaction with ambitious startups, both within Microsoft’s premises at Station F and throughout the broader startup ecosystem. I highly recommend pursuing an apprenticeship during the Master’s program. It not only offers longer-term work experience compared to a six-month internship but has also been an excellent transition from academic studies to the professional world for my final year of school.”
Funding and Remuneration
One of the perks of the apprenticeship track is that your studies are financed by OPCOs (Opérateurs de Compétences) and partner companies, which means no tuition fees for apprentices! Plus, you’ll receive a salary based on a percentage of the French minimum wage.
Choosing the apprenticeship track at ESCP Business School offers a blend of academic learning and real-world experience, preparing you for a successful career. It’s a win-win situation where you learn, earn, and grow professionally. So, if you’re ready to take on the challenge and enhance your skills, the apprenticeship track is definitely worth considering.