“I alternate between studying at university and working at the company. It’s the perfect way into the workplace. I can get in at the deep end, really explore the subject matter and meet the people involved in chemicals today. I’ve been lucky enough to be in touch with dozens of Arkema employees all over the world. It’s incredibly rewarding. For me, a successful transfer mostly means feeling useful and seeing that you’re not just there to do the work that no one else wants to do. At Arkema, I was offered real assignments with real goals. They let me get on with it by myself. They also gave me room to approach other people, and that’s important in tapping your potential. Here, they expect junior members of staff to come up with ideas. Even if an idea is not taken up, it encourages you to step forward. Arkema is keen to listen to younger generations to find out what they think about methods and management. This is also how you can stand out yourself, provide added value and seize the opportunity to go further with the company.”
Romane Cuq, CSR project manager trainee
“I’m on a work-study contract at Arkema as part of my International Business diploma at the Sorbonne University in Paris. I didn’t qualify in chemistry, so I didn’t know much about the sector before realizing that Arkema’s materials are part of our everyday lives. Its innovations are closely linked to sustainable development. This is particularly motivating when you’re 24, like me, and I also really identify with Arkema’s international dimension. I have dual German and Spanish nationality. I like feeling connected to the world. I find that mindset at Sartomer, where I’m in charge of export clients. My onboarding went really well. Demands were high but people were very supportive. I didn’t expect to be given responsibility for a client portfolio so quickly but I like being challenged and not just doing jobs to order. I have direct contact with dozens of clients in Switzerland and Germany. I help sales staff. I track orders. I work on my own, which shows the trust the company and its employees have in me, and really helps me to learn and move forward.”
Samira Monn, export clients manager trainee
“I started out as an aircraft structure fitter-assembler at Airbus Nantes, in France. I then decided to go back to university and take a Master’s degree in Chemistry at the Sorbonne. At the age of 33, I’m currently on a Professional Master’s degree course and also working at Arkema’s R&D center in Verneuilen- Halatte. I’m part of the Additives team, where I’ve got good managers and my work consists of carrying out experiments and tests to clarify gray areas and gain a better understanding of our products and their manufacture. My team is really proactive and helpful, and my managers are real leaders. The HR department suggested that I take part in an onboarding webinar, which gave me a better grasp of the various bridges between different areas and units. For example, you see people working in production with options for moving into business roles. I’ve been assigned to a project that gives me the opportunity to specialize in powders as well as several analytical methods and processes. I’m also lucky to still be in touch with one of the speakers on the onboarding program, Rabi Inoubli, R&D engineer at the Lyon research center, and that contact is a source of valuable advice for doing my job and finding my future career path.”
Omar Neggaz, research technician trainee
