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From SKEMA to the French Embassy: How a Business School Student Built a Fast Track into Diplomacy
Defense, geopolitics, German fluency, and two consecutive embassy assignments: SKEMA student Aurèle Pourcel is turning his gap year into a springboard toward an international career in diplomacy.
A SKEMA Student Opens the Door to Diplomacy During His Gap Year
A first-year Master in Management (MiM) student at SKEMA Business School, Aurèle Pourcel is dedicating his gap year to diplomacy. After spending six months with the Defense Mission at the French Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, he is now preparing to join the French Embassy in Vienna, Austria. His journey combines geopolitics, defense affairs, and German-language expertise.
Can a Business School Lead to an Embassy?
The question arose during Aurèle's interview for a position within the French Defense Mission in Bern. His profile, a SKEMA student applying to a world shaped by diplomacy, military affairs, and geopolitics, surprised the recruiter.
"I explained that SKEMA offers a geopolitics track, with courses that provide the knowledge and analytical skills required for this kind of role," Aurèle recalls.
"One of the key factors was that I speak German."
Looking back, he realizes the recruiter was not questioning his legitimacy but rather assessing the consistency of his career ambitions. "She wanted to see whether I genuinely knew what I was aiming for."
A Government Platform That Opened the First Door
The process began simply. As his gap year approached, Aurèle browsed PASS, the French government platform listing internship and work opportunities within ministries and embassies. "I simply applied. There is a website, pass.gouv.fr, that lists opportunities in embassies and government ministries."
Already interested in defense and security issues, he filtered opportunities from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and discovered an opening at the French Embassy in Switzerland.
German also proved to be a major asset. During the recruitment process, the Defense Attaché confirmed that his language skills played a decisive role in his selection.
"The goal was to help French authorities understand developments in Switzerland regarding defense policy, military procurement, and security issues"
The language allows him to access specialized sources and better understand local political and defense debates.
Monitoring Defense and Security Issues in Switzerland
For six months, Aurèle worked within a small team composed of the Defense Attaché, a non-commissioned officer, and an intern. His primary responsibility was to monitor political, military, and security developments in Switzerland. He analyzed media coverage, followed government positions, and produced press reviews and briefing notes.
"The goal was to help French authorities understand developments in Switzerland regarding defense policy, military procurement, and security issues."
His reports were reviewed by the Defense Attaché before being forwarded to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. The internship also gave him access to conferences and meetings with Swiss military representatives.
"It gives you the opportunity to engage directly with members of the Swiss armed forces and discover perspectives you're not exposed to every day."
From Bern to Vienna
At the end of September, Aurèle will leave Bern to join the French Embassy in Austria. This time, he will work under the authority of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and join the Political Chancellery.
"It will no longer be a military-focused role. It will involve cooperation, public affairs, and diplomacy. It will be a different world, but still within an embassy."
The experience also continues the German-speaking thread running throughout his academic journey. After Switzerland and Austria, he is expected to spend part of his master's in management program at a partner university in Germany.
"I'll have lived and worked in three German-speaking countries in just a year and a half."
A Wide Range of Career Opportunities
Before starting his gap year, Aurèle completed a three-month internship at KNDS, the Franco-German defense group. His family background also influenced his interest in defense and international affairs, with both his father and brothers serving in the military.
As for the future, several options remain open. He is considering the highly competitive French diplomatic service examinations, a career in geopolitical analysis, or opportunities within the defense industry.
"After completing two embassy placements, I could prepare for the French diplomatic service examinations or join a defense company and work in geopolitical analysis. It leaves a lot of doors open."
More than anything, his story highlights a simple lesson: some careers seem inaccessible because people assume they are reserved for specific profiles. In reality, his journey began with a vacancy posted on a public platform, followed by an application and an interview.
For students interested in geopolitics, international affairs, or defense, Aurèle's experience demonstrates that a business school education can open unexpected pathways, including the corridors of diplomacy.
