For the 5th consecutive year, Alcatel-Lucent is partnering with AIESEC, the largest student-run organization in the world. For more than 60 years, AIESEC has provided an international platform, in over 100 countries, for students to explore and develop their leadership potential. One of the major initiatives of AIESEC is its professional internship program, whereby Interns live and work in foreign countries for many months and link together with a global network of over 35,000 active members. In addition to the cultural dimension, this internship is a real opportunity for interns to acquire international leadership experience.

This partnership has provided Alcatel-Lucent the opportunity to offer more than 150 internship contracts, which have all been successfully completed, to students from China, Brazil, Romania, India, USA, Canada, Russia, Netherlands, Hungary and elsewhere. Through this partnership, Alcatel-Lucent has built relationships with graduates from many cultures, whose talents may prove to be of future value for the company. Highly valued in our organization, the partnership has received the CSR championship award (click here for more info).

Here’s what our managers and AIESEC interns say about this remarkable partnership:

From a manager’s viewpoint

Why choose AIESEC interns?

Bishalakhi, Communications Manager, India
Interns bring cultural diversity and are keen to work in a new country, find out how things work and get real-world experience. Of course, we also learn from them about emerging trends and gain understanding of different cultural viewpoints. It’s a real win-win situation!

Kevin, Global SAP HR Project Manager, USA
I’ve worked with lots of AIESEC interns. They’re high-potential, they really want to get their teeth into projects and they want to be mobile in their career. They’re also quick to adapt, pleasant to work with, culturally aware and are comfortable in a global environment.

What do they gain by working at Alcatel-Lucent?

Soizick, Corporate Communications, Paris
Interns get great international and practical experience with us and have a chance to expand their horizons. We integrate the students completely in our team and give them their own projects to manage, with all the responsibilities this implies. Of course, we’re there to support them and share our experience but they bring a breath of fresh air. They grow a lot during their year with us and leave well armed for their future professional life.

Bishalakhi, Communications Manager, India
Interns have every opportunity to learn as much as an employee. In fact, I know some who are now actually working for Alcatel-Lucent and doing a great job in their positions. The current Financial Director of Alcatel-Lucent India started his professional life as an AIESEC trainee!

From an intern’s viewpoint:

Why did you choose Alcatel-Lucent?

Alejandra, Alcatel-Lucent University, Brazil
I wanted the opportunity to work in the telecommunication industry and I liked Alcatel-Lucent’s company culture and the dynamic, challenging, collaborative atmosphere.

Asuka, Finance Controller, Europe Middle East & Africa
I chose Alcatel-Lucent because of its exciting, multi-cultural environment. The job proposed was highly relevant to my education and work experience and included roles I hadn’t experienced, in which I could acquire new skills.

What has stood out for you in your time working at Alcatel-Lucent?

Barbara, Sales, Belgium
I now know what kind of job gives me most satisfaction and what I should I focus on in my professional development.

Saule, Solution Architecture & Business Development, UK & Ireland
The biggest thing was having my own projects. I had several business-development projects, which expanded the development pipeline and meant lots of interaction between departments. I expanded my knowledge of the company’s business processes and current customer position and was proud to work on my team. It was a very friendly environment and my colleagues were always open to my ideas.

Alejandra, Alcatel-Lucent University, Brazil
Working and learning in the company that’s shaping the future of communication is quite an experience! I loved the dynamism, the people, the groups, the organization and the chance to really be in on the action in a company that’s going through a big strategic transformation.

Jeremy, Internal Communications, Paris
The people. Colleagues from across the globe collaborating with a common goal: to do more to help Alcatel-Lucent progress. Working with such dynamic people from diverse backgrounds was such an incredible experience and did so much to further my understanding of cultures as well as myself.

What have you got out of the experience?

Isabella, R&D, China
My manager gave me as much opportunity as possible to be involved, to learn and to do parts of the job with minimal guidance. I had the chance to talk about issues and my interests and get professional feedback and I learned the importance of being open-minded and proactive.

Sandra, HR,  Europe Middle East & Africa
I’ve learned so much during this year about business, about relationships and about the importance of networks and communication.

Saule, Solution Architecture & Business Development, UK & Ireland
I acquired new skills that will be important to becoming a successful manager. I also changed my field of interest and have decided to spend at least the next 5 years in telecommunications.

Jeremy, Internal Communications, Paris
In short, the company, and my team, provided a foundation in which I can build my professional career on. They offered constant feedback, which helped me to steadily business professional.

What added value have you brought to Alcatel-Lucent?

Barbara, Sales, Belgium
Every day, I tried to bring new ideas and a different view of the challenges we were faced with.

Asuka, Finance Controller, Europe Middle East & Africa
I’ve been able to exchange ideas, apply them to the workplace and expand my horizons. I also contribute knowledge I’ve gained through my education, my previous work experience and my awareness of emerging trends.

What would you say to future candidates?

Sandra, HR,  Europe Middle East & Africa
The business you’re working in as part of the Alcatel-Lucent team is changing fast. And it’s really challenging. What meant most to me in my internship was learning about business and how to add value on a project or in the company as a whole. And last but not least, I loved meeting such a highly diverse pool of people, from all round world.

Saule, Solution Architecture & Business Development, UK & Ireland
The best thing is feeling you’re part of an international team of professionals and seeing that you have so many new goals to reach!

For more information on AIESEC, please refer to their website www.aiesec.org.