FACC-NY hosts IGS Learning Expedition

From April 15-19, the FACC-NY staff was pleased to welcome 25 students in HR, finance and management at the Masters level (Bac + 3-5) from the IGS Group. IGS group is composed of more than 100 partner universities in France and abroad. 

The IGS Group’s vocation is to give all its students the keys to employability, which are the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the development of skills compatible with the current expectations of companies. Through related activities, a humanities-based education, the possibility to study abroad and the organization of and participation in themed conferences, students from the IGS Group are opened up to the world and its diversity. They become professionals and citizens of the world.

The IGS CFA is actively working to reinforce the international dimension of their courses and propose to their students in apprenticeships different trips adapted to different areas of study. These trips follow multiple goals: culture, exchange, language mastery and professional networking. During the April 2019 New York Trip, the group sought to meet with different French and American entrepreneurs and business professionals to learn from their experiences and success. 

The mission of the French-American Chamber of Commerce is to support the commercial development of French and American companies in the United States market. A custom agenda was developed to introduce IGS CFA students to professionals in human resources, commerce, marketing and finance. 

Throughout the year, IGS also proposed immersion experiences in Dublin, Stockholm and Shanghai to meet local actors. At the end of 2019, students will have the opportunity to travel to Montreal. 

During their trip in NYC, the group was led by FACC Member Relations Associate Florence Cheiron. On their first day, they met with International Career Development Programs Associate Maria Pogroszewska who presented the U.S. Internship Survival Kit: What You Need to Know. Later in the morning, they heard from Sophie Lechner, Founder and CEO of the G2 Experience. 

Day two meetings included a presentation from Xavier Emry, Head of International Trade Services at Crédit Industriel et Commercial, and Emmanuel Cargill, Founder and Managing Director of HR Partners US. 

On Wednesday, the group met with Director of Project Management and Innovation at Crédit Agricole, Fabien Legland, followed by a meeting with Finance Director Mathieu Chevrolier at L'Oréal. Both Fabien and Mathieu shared their success stories of how they came to serve in their current positions and how their companies are innovating. 

On Thursday the 18th, the group ventured to Brooklyn where they were welcomed at the "Banana Farm" of French cookie and biscuit company Michel et Augustin. Head of Content and Communications, Lily Dionne-Jermanovich spoke about their unique branding and adapting to the U.S. market. Later in the afternoon, Percusssion Communications Group Managing Director Kristin King presented a case study on the difference between PR and advertising. 

The expedition concluded with the student's attendance at the Tech Talent Trends Forum event organized by the FACC tech, startup and entrepreneur committee. This event held at General Assembly, explored the evolving tech talent marketplace and how employer and employees can be prepared to seek and acquire the skills needed to power tomorrows enterprises. 

Is your school, region, company or association interested in gaining a better understanding of the New York ecosystem, U.S. business practices, culture or business English? Learn more about the organization of a custom-tailored Learning Expedition with the FACC-NY that fits your objectives and budget or contact Florence Cheiron to discuss: fcheiron@faccnyc.org.