France : Work experience

Work placements and internships

A period of work experience or 'stage' is a well established feature of graduate employment in France. Useful resources include:

• Capcampus - aimed at students and recent graduates and includes stage vacancies;
• IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) - summer placements for science and engineering students;
• iAGORA - lists a large number of internships;
• Infostages.com   - stages vacancies and advice from the Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse (CIDJ) and Pôle Emploi (French national employment agency);
• Kap'stages - search for an internship and post your CV (registration required);
• L'Etudiant - stage vacancy search as well as background information on different types of stage and what to expect;
• Le Rucher - includes vacancies and useful background information and good general advice on finding a summer job;
• UK based multinationals advertising European placements - check with your university careers services;
• directories, e.g. Le Guide des Entreprises qui Recrutent  - provide a good starting point and include stages as well as graduate jobs.

The ability to speak and understand French is essential. You will be in competition with French students, so take time with your application (see applying for jobs) and be prepared to make some speculative applications. Use French business directories such as the Pages Jaunes and Kompass France to find companies for speculative applications.

Exchange programmes

AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) provides an international exchange programme for students and recent graduates. They offer voluntary and paid work placements in professional organisations, schools and charities in a range of countries, including France.

Your institution may be involved in the Leonardo da Vinci Programme through which vocational training exchanges and work placements are arranged with partner organisations in other countries, including France. Contact your institution’s international office or your careers service for more information.

Teaching schemes

British Council - Language Assistants programme provides the opportunity for undergraduates and graduates of any discipline (as long as they have AS level French or equivalent) to work in France as a language assistant.

If your university has a department for foreign languages or equivalent, you may be able to pick up useful advice, guides and contacts on teaching opportunities available in France.

The Teaching English Abroad publication includes a directory of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) training courses, contacts for jobs and a list of recruitment organisations, as well as a country guide, for those interested in teaching English in France.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a good way to gain experience and to learn more about French society and culture and will improve your language skills. The Youth in Action  programme, for example, is funded by the European Commission and provides young people with a variety of opportunities to experience Europe. The The European Voluntary Service (EVS) is part of this programme and offers young people (18-30) the opportunity to volunteer in a range of countries, including France, for a period of two to twelve months.

France Benevolat is a French organisation specialising in voluntary work in France. Visit the website for a searchable database of volunteering opportunities.

It is also possible to find volunteering opportunities via a range of volunteering websites, for example Volunteer Abroad and WorldWide Volunteering (WWV) . Research any opportunities thoroughly to ensure you are happy with the project and terms and conditions on offer.

Casual work

There are many opportunities for seasonal work (emploi saisonnier). Roles are available in areas such as tourism, hotel and catering work, and office work. See:

• Aidemploi - links to websites offering seasonal work;
• Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse (CIDJ) ;
• L'Etudiant and Le Rucher websites - vacancies and advice on how to get a seasonal job;
• iAGORA - lists a large number of internships and temporary vacancies;
• Pole Emploi (French national employment agency);
• Your university careers service - many services get summer jobs from organisations such as Eurocamp ;
• Summer Jobs Worldwide - for information on types of work available. 

Gap year opportunities

There are many organisations offering gap years in France. To choose a reputable organisation, you should seek advice from your university careers service or check whether the company is registered with Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) or other similar organisations. Some companies will also offer services such as a 24-hour emergency helpline. See Your Gap Year for more information on planning a gap year, including information on jobs, voluntary opportunities and specialist gap year programmes.