Unemployment in France is not as bad as those in the EU and Eurozones. As observed by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques, INSEE), the unemployment rate in France is just 7.1%. Major industries found in France are in the fields of aerospace, automotive, finance, food and drink, and tourism. Some of the biggest companies in the country include AXA, BNP Paribas, Carrefour, Credit Agricole, EDF, L’Oreal, Michelin, Orange, Peugeot, Total, and Renault.
Work Culture in France
There are strong hierarchies in businesses and firms in France, with clearly defined positions and power.
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada - See if you are eligible
In meetings, subjects are discussed and carefully analyzed before decisions are taken. However, senior staff members are in charge of taking strategies, since they are mostly long-term. To show your commitment, you must always be punctual to work. Formalities are respected in France and you are expected to go straight to the point because time management is very crucial.
Below are some of the degrees that would guarantee you a good job in France:
- Financial Markets and Investments
Financial Markets and Investments is a market-driven finance programme that reflects closely to the ever dynamic world of international finance. Practical approaches are used in teaching students and at the end of the degree programme, they are equipped with the knowledge of the real-world approach to finance and marketing.
Market-oriented courses are taught to enable students in the key areas of finance within the post-crisis financial environments in such fields as trading, risk management, sales, and investment. In the end, students become conscious of a new financial and economic environment that would carry them on throughout their careers.
Graduates can go ahead to get jobs as brokers, traders, sales analysts, risk managers, investment advisors, and controllers.
- Luxury and Fashion
This degree course is international-oriented as it reflects what the industry stands for – international manufacturing and distribution, cross-border ownership as well as global branding and communication.
The degree programme understands that design, marketing skills, and trend recognition are the basic ingredients for successful luxury and fashion firms, rather than production and manufacturing skills.
The students are given one-on-one orientation on the successful trends in the fast-moving world of luxury and fashion. By the end of the degree programme, students are equipped professionally to pursue careers in a wide array of luxury and fashion fields. They would also be able to work with specialists in other fields, assuming creative, marketing, or financial positions.
Jobs available in this field include designing, top-level management, merchandising, luxury or fashion brand management, as well as sourcing.
- Aerospace
Aerospace guarantees expert training in the field of aeronautics and management. As professionals in the field, graduates are trained to use their experience and knowledge to understand ways they could apply management to aeronautics.
Jobs available to experts in aeronautics include commercial pilot, controller, commercial air traffic, aerospace programme manager, flight instructor and flight attendant.
- Digital Marketing and Communication
Marketing professionals are prepared with special skills and knowledge that are necessary for the application of digital marketing tools and techniques. This will help to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of digital marketing and communication programmes. Students are also prepared for top-level positions in social media management, online branding, or marketing management. They could also play a role in team leadership, become a chief marketing officer, digital marketing executive, and more.
- Data and Business Analytics
Students in Data and Business Analysis are trained to become professionals for jobs related to data and business analytics in special areas like supply chain management, marketing, and finance. They also become leaders in data-driven decision-making, through both theoretical and practical courses.
Through the degree programme, industrial demands for graduates with managerial and analytical skills who can apply data science in tackling business challenges are met. Students also gain the skills to improve decisions by providing analytical information and developing relevant tools for their jobs.
Data and business analysts could apply for jobs in marketing, manufacturing, logistics, financial, and retailing firms, both in the private and public sectors. The data created are much more than the professionals available to handle the positions, reason you can exploit this field and excel in your career.
- Software Engineering
Software Engineering programme teaches the students the principles of modern software engineering, in addition to the tools, techniques, and methods used to carry out the roles. Professionals in the fields are offered the opportunity to learn more about the advances in technology and how they are changing the world.
Graduates of software engineering could get a job in the following fields: IT firms, internet firms, computer manufacturing firms, consulting firms, software developers, business organizations, manufacturing industries, government corporations, armed forces, and more.
- International Relations and Diplomacy
A student who obtained a degree in International Relations and Diplomacy is prepared to build a career in government, business, journalism, and others. They could also work at an international organization or law firm while pursuing graduate studies in relevant fields to be fully trained in handling political and economic problems that transcend national boundaries. The foundational courses offered by students in this field include liberal arts that would give them extensive knowledge in history, economics, political science, and international relations. Later on, they are expected to apply their analytical skills to debates, real-life issues, and on-site visits.
- Film and TV
Filmmaking and audiovisual skills are imparted to the students at the end of their degree programmes. Students of Film and TV will also gain some skills in observation, writing, staging, and preparing a shooting script, shooting techniques and sound recording, directing post-production techniques like editing and color grading, and many more. In the course of your studies, you will work in teams on portrait and drama, the two main productions. As time progresses, more artistic and technical skills are developed in areas such as filmmaking, directing, producing, and editing. You will also learn to write different skills in series and short films. In the end, you can choose any career path you want, bearing in mind that you cannot practice all the skills learned at once.
- Tourism Management
The students are thoroughly trained in the prospect of competing in the job market. They are also encouraged to go for an eight-month internship programme in the department in order to be fully grounded and ready to hit the job market.
Students gain some experiences to tackle the business world while learning the ropes of all sectors of tourism like hospitality, event planning, travel agencies, airlines, and so on. They should be well-grounded in both French and English languages to enable them to become multifaceted in their jobs.
- Culinary Arts
This is a field that teaches the students all that they need to know in culinary know-how and management competencies in order to succeed as a chef. They are also equipped to manage international restaurants or to open their own establishment. As professionals, there is a need for them to constantly discover the trends and innovations in culinary arts, learn management and marketing fundamentals, in order to keep rising in their job roles.
Recommended Video: 25 Things You Did Not Know About Studying In France
Salaries in France
Each year, the French government regulates the minimum wage. It increased to €10.15 per hour in 2020 from €10.13 in 2019. France is among the countries that pay the highest in the EU nations.
Salary ranges cut across different sectors and skill levels. There could be also differences across cities as such big cities like Paris would pay higher than smaller cities. However, the average salary in France according to the 2019 statistics is €39 099.
In conclusion, working in France is one of the best decisions to take. You are sure to build your career and advance in your field. Ensure to get the following in place when applying.
- Identify the type of position you are looking for before applying.
- Prepare your CV and cover letters to meet the French standard so that you would stand the chance to be considered before your competitors.
- Keep an eye on the sites with job opportunities in France and create an email alert by saving your search criteria. Check the sites regularly for immediate employment. Send applications to companies that interest you, you never can tell which of them would give you a call.
- Try to work on your online reputation. Mind what you post on social media as some recruiters take their time to visit the social media handles of their would-be employees for potential threats to their organization.
- Make sure to use your end of studies internship well. This is one of the ways you can develop your skills in your field of study. If your own field of studies does not require an internship, you could get one, anyway. You are developing your CV and upgrading your work experience in the process.
- Alumni associations, recruitment forums, professional bodies, company relations services, and so on, offer graduate assistance in finding a suitable job. You could also activate your professional network by letting those around you know that you are looking for a job.
- Maintain and develop a professional network among your classmates, colleagues, and friends.
- Put up your CV online on your professional social media handle like LinkedIn.
- After graduation, you could also decide to pursue a master’s degree in France. This will help you to advance in your career.
By so doing, you are creating a path to the top for yourself. Look for any opportunity to grow and develop yourself because you never can tell where your breakthrough might come from. Be the best version of yourself and fly.
