Unique Talent Identification and Careers Development Programme Gives Students a Head-Start.

The TI & CD (Talent Identification & Career Development Programme) was developed by the Corporate Relations and Careers department within the frame of EDHEC's Grande Ecole- Master of Science programme. Inspired by corporate best practice, this career preparation programme offers students an exceptional grounding for successful international careers. 148 MSc, Grande Ecole and exchange students took part in the first session organised on the Nice campus between the 13 and 16 October. They were assisted by 33 facilitators, who included specially trained teaching faculty, members of staff, and business partner representatives. We spoke with Josephine Storek, the brains behind the project and received further insights to the programme. EDHEC is the only Business School in France and one of the few in the world to implement this Programme for students. What motivated you? Josephine Storek: - It is true that this programme is usually run by companies for its employees, and it is very much the product of reverse engineering. We want to make sure that our students are as prepared as they can be when they go out in the market to find jobs. EDHEC has a great curriculum and academic founding, but students are often perceived as lacking soft skills. Today employers are looking for more holistic candidates with broader skills. They want a good blend of soft and technical skills. We are just providing our students with the ammunition they need, given the competition and market scenario today. Participation in the TI&CD Programme will certainly give our students competitive advantage. What is TI&CD and what is the programme structure? J.S.: - The idea behind implementing this programme was to make our students self-aware of their strengths and development areas so they are able to identify the most appropriate jobs on the one hand and by preparing them for the rigorous recruitment process in the job market on the other. We did this by conducting competency-based one-to-one interview, a case study/presentation, and an in-tray exercise, online (SHL) aptitude and personality tests over three days. The students were assessed by a group of trained internal and external facilitators. During the development centres, the students underwent individual assessment of their strengths and development needs against the EDHEC competency model. How will this programme help the students now and in future? J.S.: - This programme will not only enable students to know how they are seen in the eyes of their potential employer, but also help them assess and develop their strengths and development areas, which in turn will maximize their potential to enter the job market. During the three days, all the student participants in the development centres experienced first hand the content and atmosphere of real assessment centres used in the recruitment process for Graduate Programmes and graduate jobs outside of France. This should give them an edge over the other applicants from the start. However, TI&CD is much more than participation in a development centre. In fact, the programme mirrors Talent Development Programmes of leading global corporations. With the emphasis that TI&CD places on career development, the individual performance at the Development Centre will serve as a starting point for a tailor-made skill set and competency development plan, under the guidance of EDHEC's Career Services. Does the programme have partners from the Industry? J.S.: - We already have few corporate partners on our Talent Board who are strongly supportive of the programme and interested in various forms of corporate sponsorship of the programme. A number of corporate have expressed keen interest in partnering with us in this initiative to make it tailored to the industry needs. This programme is generally appreciated by potential employers and is looked upon highly in the industry. What are your next steps? J.S. - All the students who took part in the Development Centres will be provided with a special log book - The Personal Development File (PDF). The PDF is to act as the key tool in individual's management of his/her (career) development. In other words, PDF will be a personal development tracker that students can refer back to through the year. As such, the PDF will be a live document and a linking pin between the various developmental and degree-related activities and requirements, such as the DC feedback meeting, coaching session outcomes, skill set and competency workshops as well as input from internal and external supervisors. The Development Centre result report will be the initial input in the students' PDF. We are also planning to launch a Buddy Mentoring System in collaboration with the EDHEC Alumni Association so our current students can benefit from one of strongest and most international alumni networks in Europe, with alumni who are seasoned professionals in their chosen field. By initiating this programme our students can have real mentoring relationships with alumni who are in the industry. We are also planning on conducting a Group Exercise in Q1 2009 as a final part of the Development Centre. Group Exercises are almost always included in assessment centres as they are focused on assessing leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills and we must ensure our students are duly prepared for this kind of exercise.   Josephine Storek is the head of Corporate Relations and student affairs at EDHEC London Office in charge of development of EDHEC Talent Identification and Career Development Programme (TICD). She is an experienced organisational psychologist, Human Resources professional and psychometrics specialist. She is very well travelled and has years of round-the-globe education and work experience behind her. Her areas of HR expertise include Talent Development and Leadership Management, Performance Management, Executive Assessment and Selection, Mentoring and Coaching as well as all aspects of the UK and international Employment Law. Find out more here