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E. Jardin
In the space of one week, PhD students from different universities discover the business world and prepare to make their entrance. That is the ambition of Doctoriales®. In vivo report.
Under the hot June sun, the Village Vacances Famille (VVF) in Dourdan hosts Doctoriales® for Paris South area organized by the University of Paris 11. When we arrive, a group of PhD students are talking on a green lawn in the shade in front of the VVF entrance, one of them writing on a paperboard. Despite appearances, the atmosphere is not exactly relaxed. Six groups of about a dozen PhD students have the day to put together a project to start a company. A real challenge when you don’t know one another and you’re just learning about the corporate world.
The new business project
On Tuesday morning, the groups are putting their heads together. They have to come up with an innovative project. To choose among the possibilities, they put them to a vote. Subgroups are formed and assigned various tasks: file for a patent (if technological innovation was involved) or register the trademark, estimate manufacturing costs, conduct a market survey, not forgetting to draw up a provisional budget. They have instructions from a consultant: at the end of the day, they are expected to produce a full-blown business plan. Time is running out. The heat is on. People dash down the corridors, rushing to see the consultant to get his final advice. Hurry! The last slides have to be ready for tonight’s presentation. Because after dinner, the new business projects will be defended before a panel of professionals.
The company tour
Wednesday. A group of PhD students scramble into a van headed for Palaiseau in the Paris suburbs to visit Optics Valley. On the way there, the future PhDs prepare questions, without much enthusiasm. It’s true that after yesterday’s effervescence, everyone’s a little drowsy. At Optics Valley, first there’s an overall presentation of this network of companies and optical, electronics and software engineering research centers, followed by a talk given by a PhD who started a company that went bankrupt. The PhD students discover the miniature world of innovation and the pitfalls of starting your own business.
The job search
Thursday morning. The “Résumé, Cover Letter and Job Interview” workshop. Questions come from all over the room: “What does a recruiter look at first on a résumé?” “Should the résumé be one page or two?” “Should you attach your publications?” “Should the cover letter be typed?” “How do you broach the salary question during the interview?” An advisor from APEC (Association pour l’emploi des cadres) provides precise answers. He reminds the students of a few basics: find out about the company, do not improvise, come to the job interview dressed in a suit, and so on.
Testimonials
Thursday afternoon. Round table discussion with four PhDs working in the private sector who’ve come to talk about their career paths, from dissertation to the workplace. A researcher, a technical saleswoman, a patent engineer and a project manager give their accounts. The PhDs’ assets? “We know how to answer bad questions and we’re not at a loss when new problems arise,” the second one feels. How do you land a job? “You have to state clearly what you can offer the employer,” the last one advises. The room is very quiet. Is professional integration around the corner?
Note that in March 2007, the University of Paris IV, in conjunction with Paris I, Paris VII and the National Art History Institute will be holding the “Humanities Doctoriales®.”
November 24, 2006
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