Anne Laure, a graduate from KEDGE’s MAI programme, living in London

"I met Anne Laure in a bar in Chelsea, a neighbourhood in the west of London, near the river Thames.” Robin Rouvier

Would you tell us about your background?

First of all, I got a Master at Skema and did an end-of-studies internship in purchasing at l’Oréal. I wanted to continue working in the purchasing, but it was very difficult to get a permanent contract. To maximise my ability to make a career in it, I enrolled in the MAI programme at KEDGE, which is sought after by recruiters, with a work-study programme with Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Once I got my MAI degree, I left to live in Dublin. But life there wasn’t what I’d imagined it would be, so at the end of six months, I decided to move to Amsterdam to work for Reckitt Benckiser, a business leader the sector that manufactures and distributes maintenance products and pharmaceuticals.

After having spent three years in the Netherlands, it was time for me to leave. I took a six-month sabbatical during which I travelled through Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Japan. After that trip, Reckitt Benckiser offered me a promotion in London. I’ve been here for a few months now.

What did MAI bring you that you hadn’t found at Skema?

It was a game-changer. It opened the door to companies that I wouldn’t have had access to without out an MAI calling card.  I received a lot more calls for interviews, which is how I ended up working for Reckitt Benckiser.  Also, there are a huge number of Alumni here from the programme. It’s a company that looks in France for a large part of its employees.

How did you fit in in England?

I knew a few people in London, but because the city is very big it can take 1 to 2 hours to get around so you can't count on it to fit in. As a result, assimilation happens little by little. You have to slowly create a network, which can take time. On the other hand, a lot of KEDGE Alumni work in London, particularly at Reckitt, which is a real gateway to integrating.

What advice would you give to a Kedger who wants to move abroad?

Just do It 

If you don’t, you’re sure to regret it. It’s a real challenge. It might not work out, but it’s worth trying.  If it’s something that you’re interested in doing, then do it!

Even if your level of English isn’t great, you’ll figure it out when you get here. It’ll improve and you’ll fit in with the London lifestyle.

What are your next plans?

I think I’ll stay in London another two to three years, then go to Australia or another warm country, and continue to advance professionally.  

Basically, I'm a career person, so I'm going to continue to evolve little by little towards management positions. Then, in about ten years, I’ll leave the corporate world and set up my own business.

London MAY Proact