Diane,
a young woman, talks about her experience at Euro Stampaggi.
In July, young Diane completed her training placement. She had come from Paris via the Maison d’éducation de la Légion d’honneur, a prestigious secondary school founded in 1805 by Napoleon I and intended solely for girls whose fathers, grandfathers or great-grandfathers have been awarded the prestigious state honour of the Legion of Honour. Having completed her A-levels, Diane is now completing a two-year foundation course in economics, which includes a compulsory three-month work placement at a foreign company of the student’s choice.
QUESTION. Diane, why Italy and why Euro Stampaggi?
ANSWER. I did a lot of research and considered various options, including South Africa, Turkey and the United States. I was always undecided because I couldn’t find an environment that was entirely suited to my goals. Then, an uncle of mine, who knows Euro Stampaggi through his work, suggested this company to me, convinced that it was the right one for me – in terms of the nature of the business, its size, the type of clientele, the working environment and its family-oriented approach. And he was right!
QUESTION. What did you get up to during your work placement at Euro Stampaggi?
ANSWER. I was supported by the head of the Sales Department and immediately began working on specific projects to attract new clients; I expanded the company’s LinkedIn profile base in French and English, and worked on promoting our services. I visited the various departments within the company and was shown the different stages of the production process. I got on very well with my colleagues. I was worried that the language barrier might hinder my integration, but Vanessa was a great help in this regard and was incredibly supportive.
QUESTION. Apart from your work commitments, how did you spend your free time in Florence?
ANSWER. I’d never been to Florence before, so I made the most of these past few months to visit as many places as possible, captivated by the beauty of the galleries and museums. I also really enjoyed the Florentine cuisine. I took the opportunity to meet up with some friends and visit other Italian cities such as Venice, Verona, Padua and Bologna.
QUESTION. When you return to Paris, what will you take away from this experience?
ANSWER. I was really impressed by the way this company is organised; I didn’t realise there could be so much interaction between the various departments – sales, production, customer service, and so on. I’m glad to have found such a positive working environment, with a great team. But above all, I’m delighted to have been given a proper role, which made me feel valued, and where I was supported to grow through this experience (unlike what often happens on work placements, where you’re just there to make up the numbers or, at best, do photocopies). I remember very clearly that when I arrived, everything was ready – from my workstation to the warmth of the staff… I felt very welcome, and that’s the memory I’ll cherish the most.