Jean-Baptiste Delapierre - STU 2011 - in charge of attractiveness and economic forecasting at the "Economic Attractiveness and Employment" department of the City of Paris

In his first year of master's study, he undertook an internship as a consultant for the study mission of the Courtabœuf business park. The task involved conceptualising the project’s integration into Greater Paris and revitalising a ZAC that was branded as "uninhabitable". This experience provided him with substantial technical expertise, which he considers essential:

“When you're working in economic development, technical skills are expected. Therefore, I focused heavily on practical workshops and the macroeconomics course offered by the master's programme.”

For his final internship, Jean-Baptiste chose to join the City Hall of Paris at the Bureau of Innovation and Employment (BIE), this time exploring the theme of experimentation in urban settings, which was flourishing in Paris. The principle: the city provides public space to businesses, giving them a platform for innovation and increased visibility.

From internship to dissertation in applied philosophy

While other master's students were venturing onto professional paths, Jean-Baptiste returned to university and started a master's in applied philosophy with a focus on public policy evaluation at Paris-Sorbonne, under the supervision of Alain Renault. There, he produced a dissertation on the limits of citizenship for homeless individuals. Another way for Jean-Baptiste to approach economic development:

“I didn’t stray too far from my initial subject since I studied the link between poverty and development.”

More than just an interest in the field, Jean-Baptiste justifies his choice by the need for genuine reflection on public policies:

“I wanted to understand the ‘why’ of public policies after concentrating on the ‘how’ during my years of study. We are also in a period where philosophy is regaining prestige. It shows that we can think at a minimum and that we possess writing skills. It’s a good complement to my initial training, even if continuing education is still better valued internationally than in France.”

A few words for students and graduates of Urban Affairs master's programmes?

Would he recommend following the same path?

“It all depends on the sectors. Today, everyone has a master's degree. Therefore, additional training helps to stand out. However, it must also make sense in one's career path.”

Jean-Baptiste has held his position at the City of Paris for almost two years. His responsibilities mainly entail conducting economic analyses, forecasting in terms of economic and strategic attractiveness, monitoring, and benchmarks that need to be made "digestible" for elected officials. Additionally, Jean-Baptiste occasionally collaborates with Paris & Co (the city's economic development and innovation agency) for representation purposes.

Jean-Baptiste's main advice for students at the Urban School is as follows: equip yourself with technical skills, particularly in mapping and Excel: a way to stand out in a small, increasingly competitive world.