During her year in London, Charlotte chose the RUPS master’s programme and wrote a thesis on smart cities while working as a research assistant. She then returned to AFD for a 5-month mission focused on partnerships between the agency and various institutions. At the end of this period, she was hired by the strategy consulting firm CMI, where she worked on local economic development and innovation policies, a subject she is well-versed in thanks to her research thesis. Her adaptability and synthesis skills are valued, yet Charlotte wishes to work closer to the ground.
Also interested in architecture, and in order to reconnect with Caribbean issues, she joined her sister in July 2013, who founded the firm “Couleurs d’Architecture” in Guadeloupe. Before departing, she undertook training in the Mapinfo software to master a technical tool that is often utilised. Integrated into a small team of four, she participates in the assessments conducted by the firm and gains a comprehensive view of the various stakeholders involved (municipality, SEM, control offices, etc.). In this new context, qualitative observational work is essential for understanding the dynamics of the territory. When asked to describe a “typical day,” Charlotte replies that she alternates between several areas: architecture (monitoring project management, particularly on-site), urban projects (conducting qualitative and quantitative studies), and administrative tasks (drafting contracts and financial oversight). Working with a small team provides a new professional experience as it allows her to diversify her activities and develop multiple fields of expertise.
Charlotte’s Advice
One should seize every opportunity to clarify their professional project and identify their areas of interest (internships, research thesis, first job, etc.). Training in technical tools (statistical data processing, geographic information systems, etc.) is also essential to complement one's studies at Sciences Po.
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