Taking on a student is an opportunity for us to grow and help others grow at the same time. The goal is certainly to benefit from temporary support, but it’s also about preparing for the future by investing in the student’s training and skills development, thus facilitating their recruitment on a permanent contract within the company. Finally, it’s particularly enriching for us to benefit from the fresh perspective of younger generations, with their updated practices, ideas, and tools.

The strength of a team lies in the diversity of its members. In a small team of seniors over 50, having an 18-20 year old and listening to them forces us to think differently, to consider another perspective, to diversify our opinions. Initially, it’s a significant time investment. Naturally, they know nothing at the start and have everything to learn. This is why interpersonal skills are fundamental. But what a challenge it is for each of us on the team! This constant need to re-explain and rephrase things from scratch forces us to realize that, no, not everything is automatic. If the newcomer doesn’t understand, it’s because we haven’t explained it well, and consequently, we’re communicating poorly with clients, suppliers, partners… The learning is mutual.