[Alumni Story] : Claire Leroux

After two years of preparatory classes, I joined Rennes School of Business in 2008. I was president of Warlock, the audiovisual association, and I got very involved in this project, much more so than in my accounting classes!

I was part of the eligible staff and did my internships in Rennes, Paris, Rabat and Nouméa in associations, VSEs, SMEs, public companies and consular chambers. I did my university exchange in Dresden, Germany.

The choice of my master's degree was quite decisive for what I did next, and I took the entrepreneurship master's course, which only existed for 3 years but was really top-notch. We had 4 modules, each with a week of classes and 6 weeks in a group as consultants.

• What is your current activity?

I'm coordinator of the "tiers-lieu le Grand Bain " in Nantes. It's a very complete job, where each of my experiences is useful.

I do strategy, communications and events, administrative and venue management, as well as volunteer and partner management.

I work on the team at Ouvre-Boîtes, a cooperative for activity and employment (CAE) that helps entrepreneurs develop their business in a secure, cooperative environment.

• What's your greatest achievement?

My contributions to the development of two third-party venues: CASACO in Malakoff (92) and Le Grand Bain in Nantes (44).

• In your opinion, what is the value of the network in general? The Alumni network in particular?

I'm convinced of the value of networking. I've found most of my internships and jobs thanks to the network I've developed.

I'm a big believer in strong ties, the idea of meeting people, exchanging ideas or working with them on projects, rather than weak ties and the simple exchange of business cards or LinkedIn additions.

And part of my current mission is also to put people in touch with each other who could help or collaborate. Being part of the Alumni network makes it easier to make contacts and build trust.

• How do you get involved in the Alumni network?

I got involved in the network by creating the Social and Solidarity Economy Club with some of my classmates, and we organized around ten meetings during the 5 years I was in Paris.

I've also taken part in several entrepreneur club meetings and social evenings.

Since arriving in Nantes in 2017, I've attended several Nantes club parties and co-hosted one.

• Tell us about an opportunity you had thanks to the school

I've had the pleasure of hosting alumni board meetings at CASACO and an introduction to improvisation organized by the Nantes club at Le Grand Bain. It's great to be able to build bridges between my different experiences.

One of our alumni also offered me the chance to give a course on the social economy to students, which was quite a challenge.

• Your best encounter at Rennes School of Business?

For example, a few years ago, I took on a P22 as part of a Pôle Emploi immersion course, and since then we've been talking regularly (cuckoo Jeanne).

• What advice would you give to a recent graduate?

I'd advise recent graduates to really ask themselves what they like and what motivates them.

We spend so much time at work, it's essential to find meaning in it. What's more, we have more power than we think when it comes to choosing the structures we apply to.

• Do you have a hidden passion/talent?

No hidden talent, but my driving forces are to have fun and to be useful, and that's what's been driving me in my third-party animation missions for the past 10 years.

• The final word?

It's important to take a step back from your training, because you'll develop a whole range of skills that will be very useful whatever your chosen profession or sector. However, it's also important to develop your critical faculties and keep learning.