Emile Carron no longer works for Projective Talent. Not because he was unhappy, but because he integrated with his client after completing his two-year training and coaching programme. As an official Projective Talent alumnus, Emile would recommend his track to all graduates, because of the added value of our unique approach. “With Projective Talent, you’re in control of your journey.”
Emile Carron (26) comes from Steenokkerzeel in Flemish Brabant. He has two master’s degrees from KU Leuven, one in Industrial Engineering (ICT) and another in Economics (International Business). He used to play tennis competitively before he started university, but he couldn’t combine the workload of his studies with playing at that level. In his spare time, however, you can still find him on the tennis court. That is, if he’s not playing golf or padel.
Emile first encountered Projective Talent – which was still known as Exellys back then – at a job fair organised by his university. After graduating, he reached out to us –because he liked us, but also thanks to his friend Bram who had already signed with us. “I may have been a little too relaxed about the whole process of applying for my first job,” Emile admits. “I kept putting it off, and before I knew it, it was the summer break and I still hadn’t applied anywhere. Meanwhile, Bram had been busy for a year, considering at least forty different opportunities. From all of them, he chose Projective Talent. That convinced me that it was a good choice for me too.”
The support and guidance for recent graduates just taking their first steps in the business world was a big selling point for me. I liked the prospect of a two-year training programme and the opportunity to join my client at the end.
But Bram wasn’t the only reason why Emile chose to work for us. “What really sold me was the unique approach. The support and guidance for recent graduates just taking their first steps in the business world was a big selling point for me. I liked the prospect of a two-year training programme and the opportunity to join my client at the end,” he says. “I also liked that there was a nice portfolio of big organisations to choose from – places you would probably never be able to apply for without experience. All of this, combined with the coaching and training, convinced me that Projective Talent was the place where I wanted to take my first steps.”
Within this programme, you spend almost all of your time at your client, with a couple of training days at the Projective Talent offices or an external training centre. “On these days (and during Projective Talent’s fun events) you get to interact with your classmates. All people who are going through the same things as you. It’s very nice to have that network and to be part of that community,” says Emile. “You can talk to each other about things you’re maybe struggling with. You know that you’re not alone, that others are going through the same things. Sharing experiences and learning from each other really steepens your growth curve.”
Emile has been working as a software developer for an international financial messaging company for the last two years. “My job hasn’t really changed since I started, but I’ve grown a lot in my role,” he says. “I’m more involved with the product now, dealing with bigger tickets and working on bigger features. I like it that way for now, I don’t want my role to change too much yet. I’m still learning a lot. In time I’ll want to move on to something with more responsibility, but that’s not what I want right now.”
I’ve grown a lot in my role, I’m more involved with the product now, dealing with bigger tickets and working on bigger features.
Besides the support of your peer network, you also have your Talent Development Officer in your corner. This is also a unique and valuable asset in the Projective Talent approach. You see your TDO on a regular basis for feedback sessions with your client and one-on-one coaching sessions. Together, you discuss your next goals and what courses might help you get there.
“When you leave university, you’ve shown that you can learn – but that’s about it,” says Emile. “You don’t really know anything yet and still have a lot to learn on the job. That’s why it’s great that Projective Talent offers such a wide training catalogue. The Requirements Engineering course specifically was very instructive for me. I also picked up a lot of tips and tricks from the Time Management workshop. And learning how to deal and communicate with different types of people during the Insights training has also been very valuable in my career so far.”
It’s great that Projective Talent offers such a wide training catalogue. The Requirements Engineering course specifically was very instructive for me.
The coaching and the training catalogue are great, but what Emile loved most about working for Projective Talent was the ownership he gained over his career. “As a consultant at Projective Talent, you’re not the product. You get to make your own decisions. You can choose your client, your role, and if you don’t like where you are, everything is still possible. They really listen to you. You’re not just a number carrying out job orders for a client. They want you to feel good, since you’re going to integrate with this client after two years.”
That’s the key: you work on your future from day one. You become part of the team and you can stay there for the long term. “In traditional consulting, you’re never really part of the team. You come and go where you are needed. You don’t usually have a say in where you end up. The client pays, so they decide. With Projective Talent it is very different,” says Emile. “The integration process was also very smooth. There’s no hassle, no discussion, just a clear agreement between two companies. From one day to the next you’re on a different payroll, but your role remains the same.”
Emile has some sage advice for graduates who are now in the process of finding their first job: don’t settle. “Students are often so focused on just getting a job that they accept the first offer they get. I would advise graduates to be a little more critical before saying yes to an offer. You have to think about more than just the salary or the job description. What about opportunities for personal growth? The commute? The ability to work from home? Work/life balance? You need to be able to do this job for a long time and enjoy it. Sometimes people think a long commute is OK, but after a few months it starts to wear them down. So wait for the right offer, don’t just take the first one you get!”
Students are often so focused on just getting a job that they accept the first offer they get. I would advise graduates to be a little more critical before saying yes to an offer.
Projective Talent redefines consulting by putting the consultant first. Unlike traditional consultancies, we empower our talent to choose their own path. We put their growth, satisfaction and ambitions at the heart of everything we do, always looking for the perfect match between client and consultant. Through our training programmes, dedicated coaching and seamless integration processes, we create an environment where graduates feel supported in their transition from student to blossoming professional.
Do you want to be a part of this, too? Check out our opportunities here.