Home>Clément Tougeron, Class of 2022
01.02.2023
Clément Tougeron, Class of 2022
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?
My academic background is similar to that of many Sciences Po students: after 3 years in a literary preparatory class, I was admitted to Sciences Po in spring 2019 in the Master in Public Policy, Public Administration stream. I postponed my admission by one year, in order to gain additional professional experience as a parliamentary assistant to the MP Céline Calvez. I therefore started my master's degree at the School of Public Affairs in September 2020 while continuing to do various internships, particularly within a political party, in the office of the Chief of Staff of the Navy, or with the Secretary of State in charge of Priority Education as chief of staff, press and communication advisor.
Due to political uncertainties, I completed this period in the ministerial cabinet as advisor for the follow-up of reforms and adviser for the French Presidency of the European Union to the Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports, Jean-Michel Blanquer.>
I graduated in June 2022 and since September 2022 I have been a senior consultant with the public affairs and communications firm Tilder and a presenter on Sud Radio.
WHAT WERE THE MAJOR STAGES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL PROJECT?
I think it's a question of encounters, and the fact that I wasn't afraid to make these encounters. I built my professional project - however vague - very early on: I knew that I wanted to do politics and political communication, so I gave myself the means to achieve this by talking to as many people as possible. Often these meetings led to nothing more than the pleasure of a nice conversation. And then sometimes, the contact went well and these meetings turned into proposals. I have always accepted them, even if they sometimes seemed difficult to reconcile with my studies.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUR JOB TODAY AS A CONSULTANT AT TILDER?
Today, I am involved in assisting major executives (CAC40, large groups, scale-ups, etc.) with their internal and external communications, as well as in building networks of influence. It is an activity at the crossroads of pure communication and public affairs. It involves press relations and preparing for interviews, but also targeting key decision-makers in a sector or drawing up a plan for meetings... The main quality required is, I think, to be clever.
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID YOUR TRAINING AT THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION STREAM, MAKE TO THE POSITION YOU HOLD TODAY?
The EAP training has given me a solid grounding in the functioning of the State and, more generally, in the major issues facing our society. I have a better understanding of the major mechanisms of public administration and politics. This may seem trivial, but in reality it is rare. You notice immediately when someone understands what they are talking about. For example, on the State budget (yes, public finance courses can help you even if this is not the core of your job), knowledge of the major balances allows you to be precise and fair, which reinforces the confidence of your partners. I have also met fellow students and teachers with whom I keep in touch. My exchanges with them are nourishing, I find it interesting to see how other people perceive and apprehend the world. It gives you food for thought, sometimes changes your point of view and always gives you a better understanding of various problems.
WOULD YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR A STUDENT OR FUTURE GRADUATE?
You should meet as many people as possible and never be afraid to ask for advice, tips, recommendations or sometimes even a job if the branch interests you, with the necessary consideration and form. In the worst case, you will get a negative answer. But an answer is better than a regret.
