Guillaume Savary, scientific collaborator in the Social Action and Public Health Departments

A year after graduating, I started studying social sciences at UNIL, with a minor in history. During my studies, I did a lot of odd jobs (delivering pizzas, internet sports commentator, market analysis and research, security guard), most of which I found via the UNIL Jobs d'étudiants website. Each job is then used to develop skills when looking for a 'real' job. The same goes for skills acquired in an association, for example. My dissertation was on the process of 'modernising' La Poste. After analysing how and with what rhetoric a so-called public service company was modernising, I looked at how old and young postmen and women saw their job.

After completing my Master's degree and applying for a host of internships, I was offered a maternity replacement (CDD) with the Department of Health and Social Action of the Canton of Vaud. My contract was extended in the same department, where I worked for just under three years in total. My tasks involved carrying out analyses of integration measures for young people on social assistance, evaluating them, suggesting improvements to the management of these measures and providing support to my superiors. I had to work on databases, the challenge being to extract data that was not necessarily calibrated. I was able to give presentations to partners (audiences of up to a hundred people). I also had to maintain contacts within the partners' network and understand their work from the inside. I was also involved in drafting notes for decision-makers - a task that carries a certain amount of responsibility. I learnt a lot about how the Vaud public sector works. The content of the work was very interesting. It's important to me that the purpose of the activities is meaningful. It's important and motivating to know that the work done will, even indirectly, help someone to improve their situation. At the end of these mandates, I spent another few months looking for work, and it was again by chance that I came across an advertisement for a position at the Fondation vaudoise contre l'alcoolisme. It was for a position as coordinator for the 'cool and clean' programme in French-speaking Switzerland, a prevention campaign in sport run by Swiss Olympic. The aim of the job was to coordinate the cantonal delegates and take part in reporting on these actions to the House of Sport in Berne. I quickly had to get up to speed to understand the people I was talking to, who spoke in German...! And I have to admit that I really regretted not having taken the language courses at the university... I worked directly with sports clubs, coaches and trainers. The aim of the programme is to train coaches and encourage them to take part in prevention activities with the young people they coach. There was a bit of a lobbying aspect to the work. In the end, I liked the activities, but I lacked the analysis and cross-referencing of data that I love. For family reasons, I was thinking of moving to the Jura, which led me to apply for a job as a scientific collaborator in health and social work, my current position. For family reasons, I was thinking of moving to the Jura, which led me to take a look at the advertisements in this region. I applied for a position as a scientific associate in the health and social care sector. With my experience, I quickly wrote a cover letter and got two interviews. That's the position I've held for the last year and a half - a position that was created.

My job is a bit unusual in that I work for two different departments: Economy and Health, and Home Affairs. In the latter, I'm responsible for assessing the quality of services provided by institutions for the disabled. In the other department, one of my main tasks is the management of day centres for the elderly. I try to make links between the different themes of the two departments to which I'm attached. So I have two managers. My remit covers various aspects: managing contacts with partners and institutions, helping to set up the Information and Guidance Network for the Elderly (RIO), and collecting and processing data. As this is a new position, my job is to make suggestions. Not everything is defined in this field, which is changing a lot, especially in the social sphere. As my managers are heads of department, my responsibilities have increased considerably. It's both gratifying and sometimes a little worrying, because the decisions I take can have quite far-reaching consequences. You really have to understand all the parameters before submitting a proposal. Another difference with my previous working environments is that this canton is relatively small, so the effects are a little more direct than in the Canton of Vaud, for example. More generally, in this type of activity, you need to be able to touch on everything: having some knowledge of law and economics is a major asset. Throughout my career, I can say that one of the essential skills is the ability and desire to learn quickly about unfamiliar topics.

It's important to ask yourself questions and think about your choice of studies. When you start your Bachelor's degree, study from the outset and surround yourself with friends. There are lots of associations where you can get involved and meet people with common interests. UNIL offers a number of useful services: language courses (to improve your German, for example), stress management workshops, meditation, employment workshops and individual CV check throughout the year. Make the most of them! When it comes to job hunting, it's essential to research the employer. If I'm exaggerating, you almost have to conduct the interview: the more content you have to contribute, the more you can 'influence' the direction of the interview. Then, as the start of interviews is often similar, learn a 'pitch' to introduce yourself, adapting it to the position for which you are applying. This will reassure you and allow you to move on to more technical elements. During the interview, illustrate your skills by firing on all cylinders. In other words, all experience is valid and can be used to show what you have learnt. When I first applied, I highlighted my student jobs and even my role on a football committee. Unexpectedly, this experience hit the nail on the head at an interview! In fact, it's all about finding similarities or tasks between your background and the job you're applying for. You can also think about the methods you have acquired through the courses you have taken, and not just the content - which will not necessarily be linked to a professional field. An unsolicited application for a work placement in a departmental project is one way to go. You don't always have the time to think about and set up a placement. Unsolicited offers can meet a need. I would also say that you shouldn't take rejection personally; it's part of the competition. To conclude, I'd say keep in mind that things often work themselves out, for example by talking to people you know. Exchanging ideas is the key to opening doors!