Chloé Guilbert (E09): ESSEC Alumni strengthens its support for young professionals

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Reflets Magazine: Why have you placed such emphasis on young graduates in recent months?
Chloé Guilbert: This is a natural continuation of what we offer students and fully aligned with ESSEC Alumni’s purpose – “to develop and support our community of humanistic and future-fit leaders.” The transition period between school and working life raises many questions: first job, building a network, balancing personal and professional life, first mobility or career change... The needs of our alumni within five years of graduation are specific, so it is important to design services and events that meet them.

RM: What do they expect most from the Association?
C. Guilbert: Expectations vary greatly depending on profiles and circumstances, but overall there is a strong demand for networking support. Many of our young alumni seek advice from more experienced graduates to reflect on the next steps of their careers. Coaching also meets various needs, whether they are job seeking, starting a new position, or considering what comes next.

RM: What have you implemented to meet these expectations?
C. Guilbert: Since 2024, we have accelerated the development of our support for young graduates, launched in 2023. Our work is structured around three key pillars:
• Career support through:
- “Young Professionals Career Workshops” held throughout the year on practical topics such as onboarding, networking, employment contracts, personal branding, or work-life balance;
- Tailored coaching: our young graduates benefit from two annual coaching sessions. We also now have a dedicated coach specialising in young professional support, Marion Kalfon (E08).
• A tailored Lifelong Learning offer, including an Edflex learning path specially designed for them.
• And of course, networking events organised by ESSEC Alumni or the clubs at the Maison des ESSEC: the Alumni Party, a new autumn event bringing together graduates from the past three years for a convivial evening; the “Meet ESSEC Alumni Clubs – Young Professionals Edition” introducing different communities; and “Boost Your Career in Finance,” led by the ESSEC Alumni Finance, Banking & Insurance Club.

RM: How do the clubs contribute to this initiative?
C. Guilbert: There is a very positive overall dynamic around integrating young graduates and professionals into the clubs. Today, almost 15% of our club volunteers are young professionals. Increasingly, many of our 20+ active professional clubs are developing formats created by and for young graduates. For example, Lory Jacquet (E22), co-lead of the Finance, Banking & Insurance Club, initiated the first “Boost Your Career in Finance” evening in February 2025.

RM: How do you work internally to bring this offer to life?
C. Guilbert: We work very closely with ESSEC Alumni’s other departments. With the Career division, we co-design the workshop cycles by identifying themes and speakers together based on expressed needs, and we adapt existing offers (such as coaching). With the International team, we share the goal of internationalising our services by identifying the best ways to support young international professionals. This collaborative mindset is essential.

RM: What are your goals for the coming months?
C. Guilbert: We aim to strengthen the current offer – coaching, workshops, Edflex learning paths – in close collaboration with the Career division. We also want to increase networking opportunities for young graduates by making dedicated events a regular feature. The goal is to help them expand their network, in France and internationally, and to test new formats with key clubs. Finally, we are working with the School on an important initiative: raising awareness among young graduates of their role in promoting ESSEC and its impact on rankings.

Read the full interview in the issue of our Reflets magazine dedicated to ESSEC young talents:

Discover this issue

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10)