Léa Schultz, Master LEA-LARISP (2016), strategic communication

Léa Schultz, a graduate of the LEA degree and LARISP master's program at UCO Angers, talks to us about her international career path, her work in strategic communications and what the UCO Alumni Meetings have brought her.

Why did you choose to study languages at UCO?

At the time, the UCO had been recommended to me for the quality of its teaching by a number of people I knew, and during the open days, I'd had good contact with the teaching staff and students on site, which had reinforced my idea of studying there. What's more, I really liked the opportunity to study in smaller class groups.
As for the choice of languages in particular, I'd always wanted to broaden my knowledge in this field, and the excellent reputation of the IPLV (former name of the UCO Angers language center) had often been praised, particularly for the many partnerships it had forged with renowned foreign universities as part of the exchange semester planned for the third year of the LEA degree.
Added to this is the charm of the Angers campus, which has welcomed me for almost five years and welcomes many students from all horizons every year, both French and foreign, which is a real asset for an LEA student wishing to interact directly and apply his or her language skills.

Can you tell us about your career path from UCO?

I am a former student of UCO Angers, where I completed a Bachelor's degree in Applied Foreign Languages (LEA) between 2011 and 2014. As part of this, I went on a semester-long exchange to the University of Osnabrück in Germany to perfect my German. Then, in 2014, when I heard about theopening of the LARISP (Languages, International Relations and Political Science) master's program, I was very interested, having always been drawn to these subjects. Theassociatedcareer prospectsin journalism, communications and international relations also persuaded me to pursue this path.
In the end, it was my end-of-study internship in communications and media relations at a Parisian agency, Agence Shan, that convinced me that this was the field for me.
Following this internship, I was hired by the same agency in 2016, where I was able to develop as a corporate communications and media relations consultant. Then, in 2021, I joined the Citigate Dewe Rogerson agency as a senior consultant, then account director. This enabled me to advise and support a portfolio of major international accounts in the financial, economic and business sectors in their communications strategy in France and abroad. It's an expertise I'd now like to apply to new challenges.

What do you enjoy most about your job as a strategic communications consultant?

What I appreciate most about my job is its richness and diversity.
The variety of subjects I deal with and the people I meet provide a constant dynamism that keeps me intellectually stimulated at all times. This profession forces me to keep abreast of the latest news and developments, whether they concern technological innovations such as the AI revolution, regulatory changes, societal issues or geopolitical developments.
The international environment in which I evolve perfectly matches my professional aspirations and is a source of continuous intercultural enrichment. This global dimension feeds my strategic thinking. What's more, being in contact with players from a wide variety of backgrounds requires me to develop fine-tuned skills in terms of diplomacy, adaptability and emotional intelligence.
I'm particularly passionate about consulting: accompanying experts and managers in the elaboration of their communication strategy, advising them on a daily basis to develop their image with their target audiences, represents a stimulating intellectual challenge; as does the creative aspect of my job, with the elaboration of powerful messages and original campaigns.
This job is particularly rewarding because it allows me to measure the impact of my actions in concrete terms, particularly in terms of increased media visibility, or improving a brand's reputation. This ability to adjust strategies in real time according to the results obtained adds an interesting analytical dimension.
Last but not least, the human aspect of this profession is essential. The diversity of encounters - with customers, journalists, experts and communication peers - enriches my professional and personal life on a daily basis, while creating a dynamic and inspiring ecosystem of relationships.

You've taken part in a number of alumni meetings. What did you learn from them?

From a professional point of view, these events are an excellent opportunity to develop your local network and share experiences with peers operating in the same geographical area. These authentic exchanges enable us to mutually benefit from each other's backgrounds and learning experiences.
These meetings also offer a unique cultural dimension, thanks to the discovery of emblematic sites of Parisian heritage (in my case) usually inaccessible to the public, an original approach that transforms each event into an unforgettable experience.
But what really makes these encounters special is the convivial atmosphere that emanates from them, particularly during the lunches that follow. First and foremost, they are a chance for alumni to get together and meet other alumni from neighboring campuses.
A perfect balance between professional development, cultural enrichment and the pleasure of sharing!