Discover the interview of Lisa Roquigny, Internships Manager at Vatel Bordeaux.
Could you introduce yourself?
I am Lisa Roquigny, I am 27 years old, and I am the Internship Manager in Vatel Bordeaux. I arrived in Bordeaux to study my MBA in Vatel Bordeaux in 2018. Then, I took the decision to travel and discover new countries before taking again the job of Internship Manager.
Before becoming Internship Manager, tell me about what you did before?
I have an atypic background. I started catering when I was 17 years old, and I kept this job while still being a student in psychology. In my third year of bachelor, I started questioning myself of changing path because I speak German, English and Spanish. I wanted to use those languages in my future job. After succeeding my 3rd year, I preferred to prioritize the Vatel Bordeaux entering exam and maybe one day continue my MBA in psychology after studying at Vatel.
After my 3rd year, I entered in a 1-year preparatory and refresher course in Vatel Bordeaux.
Then I did my internship in Crete as a Guest Relation for 4 months. This job was a revelation for me: customer relations, conflict management, etc. During my end-of-M5 internship, I really enjoyed working in the Human Resources department at the Royal Monceau in Paris, which was a real privilege to work in such a palace.
But then Covid came along, we were in March 2020, and the companies decided to let the interns go first. It was very complicated, because the M5 internship is supposed to be professional and potentially lead to a contract. So, I found myself in a complex situation. So, my first real job was as Assistant Manager at Pokawa in Toulouse, in the fast-food sector, which was a very formative experience for me. I then became Assistant Manager of a 4-star hotel in Normandy in a family business.
I then decided to do a WHP (Working Holiday Passport) in Australia. I left in April 2022 from Tasmania to Darwin. I worked at the Pullman Hotel in Cairns as a chambermaid because I have a very multi-skilled profile, but I lacked experience in housekeeping. I wanted to discover this profession because I believe that to be a good manager, you must be able to replace every member of your team. In the evenings, I worked in an Italian restaurant as a head waiter.
I returned to France in November 2022 and took up my position at Vatel Bordeaux in December 2022.
How did you learn about this job offer?
The corporate relations manager with whom I’d kept in touch, told me about this opportunity and I got the job. I’m delighted to be able to share my experience as an Alumni with the students. All of us in the teaching team have different experiences that can inspire them, help them in their decision-making, etc…
As Internships Manager, what are your missions?
My primary mission is to have 100% of students placed in internships. The advantage at Vatel Bordeaux is that I can take the time with each student to see their professional project. The idea in the first year is to deepen what they see in practice, which departments they were interested in and deepen it over 4 months of internship.
I also take care of the arrival of companies, i.e., companies that come to present themself, to exchange with students. These are my two main missions that are divided into many other small missions throughout the year. The schedule is busy because I keep on searching summer internships while preparing of the winter internships and during the winter internships, I start preparing for the summer internships. My little break time is when everything is going well for the students during their internships.
What do you like the most about your job?
I had the chance and permission from my management to meet the students at their internship location this summer. Apart from the fact that I was welcomed in the most beautiful establishments of the French Riviera, for me it is a real accomplishment of my whole work, that I saw the students fulfilled on their work, confident, well in their skin regarding the work that was done on their professional project. And that’s what I prefer, to see them happy in internships, it’s a success for me.
If you could choose a localisation for a student’s internship, what would it be?
For the 2nd year international internship, I take the map. Students often want to go to the U.S., but it’s very complicated because they need a G-1 VISA, which comes at a cost. In South America, it is very difficult to get a salary and a place to live. Generally, they want to go further than Europe. England since Brexit is no more an option. So, I think the right balance is Asia because they speak English very well, it’s simple English for students who want to develop their English. It’s a place where there are a lot of international people, it’s a place that changes culturally, it’s very enriching.