About internships

Interning in Paris: What’s it like?

Your experience in Paris will undoubtedly be different than any working experience you may have already had in the US. But we hope this is one of your reasons for choosing to work abroad!

There are, however, a few key things you should know about the French when it comes to the workplace in Paris:

• First, don’t be surprised if a physical greeting of some kind, either la bise (a kiss on both cheeks) or a handshake, is your routine in workplace, not just on first introduction but every morning upon arrival at work. To Bise or Not to Bise? Beware - don’t take the first step if you are uncertain, but be ready to embrace! Two kisses are the norm in Paris and keep in mind that la bise is NOT a kiss. It’s just a hello or a good-bye. However, the business world is more formal and you should go for a handshake.
• The choice of vous and tu to say “you” in French is confusing, and sometimes very subtle. But a simple rule is that the more intimate “tu” is only employed amongst family and friends. It is common for work colleagues to say “tu”, but wait until someone else asks you to do so.
• Don’t be surprised if it takes a little while for the French in your office to warm up to you. The French take their time before they decide with whom they want to socialize. Social relations are much more at a one-to-one level than the American group of friends. Building up a network therefore takes time and is more difficult than in the U.S.
• As compared to the USA, France is a much more hierarchical culture. Top-down management: for the French, the Boss is the Boss and management is quite authoritarian.  In France, respecting the significance of hierarchy and managers is important.
• Within the company, the French keep the doors closed (open spaces are not as popular as in US). It doesn’t mean that you cannot discuss with your colleagues, you just have to knock on their door…
• Business lunches are an important part of corporate communication. The lunch break can be an occasion to build up relationship. Needless to say, “brown bag” lunches are unknown in France. Typical discussion subjects are culture, food, vacation, politics, family, office gossip etc. Not money! Be prepared for intense discussion of political issues, current events in France, and your country’s political situation, foreign policy, etc..

What is business etiquette like in Paris?

In France, businesses generally run in a slightly more casual manner, with more emphasis placed on individual initiative and motivation. It is very likely that you will be given projects and expected to complete them with your own resourcefulness. This does NOT mean that you cannot ask for help – it simply means that your supervisors will assume you will ASK for help if you need it. They may not want to appear to be breathing down your neck or handholding you through your placement. In the French culture, if you give too specific and clear directions, it means that you do not acknowledge the professionalism of the staff.

What should I wear?

We will answer this question with much more detail once we know where you will be placed. Make sure you ask about this if we haven’t told you by the time you leave. It is tough to generalize on this one because we have placements ranging from suits and ties to sandals and jeans! However, if you are working in a business setting (i.e. an investment bank or law firm) you should bring at least one suit and several dress shirts and ties. A sports jacket will work as well. In other, more casual placements (i.e. a PR agency or magazine) khaki trousers, skirts (for women), and sweaters or dress shirts should be fine. Make sure you ask about this if we haven’t told you by the time you leave. Then watch how your colleagues are dressed up and adapt yourselves. French people tend to dress relatively formally all the time (never shorts, sneakers nor sweats).

What are the typical hours for an intern?

It all depends! A typical day is 9-6, but depending on the sector it can also be 9:30am or 10:00am to 7:00pm. There is usually an hour for lunch as well, tken between 1pm-2pm. A recent French study found that the French work an average of 41 hours per week, staying until the job is finished. Again, this is a difficult question to generalize - you will work whatever hours are asked of you, and this will be vastly different for different industries (an investment banker will work much longer hours than a school teacher, for example). You internship hours are non-negotiable and will be expected by the employer and the placement office.

Will I have one particular supervisor at my placement?

The Placement Team will make every effort to make sure you know who your direct supervisor will be. This is usually ONE person who will be responsible for you for the entire duration of your placement. This is the person you will go to when you need help, have concerns, or simply need a new assignment. This person may not be the office manager and in fact, may be in a junior position him/herself. You may find that you are not far off in age to your direct supervisor – this is common – Paris is a young city!

If you have a problem with your direct supervisor, it is best to speak with him or her, do not go to their direct supervisor to get your concerns addressed. However, it is advisable to speak to a member of the placement team before you do so as we may be able to provide assistance or another point of contact in the company.

How far can I expect to commute?

Most placements will be centrally located in Zones 1 or 2 of Paris and are easily accessible by Metro or bus. A typical Paris commute can be anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour  - remember this is a BIG city! Occasionally, placements will be outside these zones, and will require taking the Paris RER commuter train. We will inform you if this will be the case.

Realities of being an intern

Once you begin your internship, keep in mind that you will be responsible for yourself. In many work environments, staff are extremely busy and overworked. Generally, internship supervisors (especially in France) not only appreciate your asking questions, but they expect it. Your employer may never have hosted an intern before, or they may be used to one type of intern. Take the time to get to know your supervisor and find out what is expected. When you first get to your internship, be flexible. Your supervisor may use the first week or so to test your mettle, and find out what you’re all about.

A Learning experience

Do not expect your internship to be your “dream job” leading to your “dream career.”   Your internship is an opportunity to explore a field that may lead to a future career. After completing your internship, you may realize that you wish to continue in that field, or you may realize that you never want to work in that field again! In either case, your internship will have been a valuable learning experience.

What to expect at your internship

Conditions differ from placement to placement. The habits, attitudes, and work environment you will encounter will be different from what you are used to. Some internships will have a balance of creative assignments and more routine tasks. Some will be limited to the office, others will require a good deal of movement. Some will have regular hours, others irregular hours. Some will require a dress code, others will not. Some will take advantage of your knowledge of English, others will expect you to speak only in French. Be prepared for slow days; just as with any job, not every day is going to be frenetic and challenging. Get to know the people you work with. You can cultivate some long-lasting relationships with them.

Internship Reality Checklist

• Keep in mind that you are competing with French students who (obviously!) speak French fluently, who speak English quite well, who are as computer-literate as American students, and who can commit to internships for six months or more. For these reasons, it is important to think broadly and creatively about the internship.
• Internships require varying levels of fluency in French. Most French students do one or more internships as part of the normal process of their education. You compete for assignments with them.
• The French economy is weak, and unemployment is high. This has a real impact on the range of placement opportunities.
• Companies may need interns anywhere from three weeks to six months. Keep this in mind in relation to how long your internship will last.
• Evaluate the difference between what your abilities and credentials are and what you wish they were. What appears on your C.V. may not be considered an adequate credential by a prospective internship sponsor, no matter how important it seems to you.
• Remain open-minded about your options in diverse fields. Don’t miss out on an opportunity on the basis of your limited knowledge or experience.
• Some sectors are more demanding than others. Can you write an article in French for a daily newspaper? Can you perform financial analysis in French for a French bank?
• It is your responsibility to seek advice when difficulties arise on the job. Nobody quits without first consulting with the internship director. The Paris staff is a resource. They are available to help in these matters.
• Work is not always as glamorous as TV shows make it out to be!
• In some cases, one interview will suffice to secure your internship. In other cases, two or more may be required. The key is to answer the company’s needs.

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