6 practical tips for a successful EPM work-study program

Are you looking for a work-study program with real career prospects in the EPM field? My experience at SQORUS could help you.

I started out like many of you: as a student, looking for work experience that would give meaning to my studies. What I didn’t know was that this work-study program would become the springboard for my career at the EPM.

In this article, I share my advice for those who want to make a success of their work-study program and make the transition to a consulting position themselves.

1. Gradually developing autonomy in the EPM work-study program

The most common mistake when you’re just starting out is trying to prove you can do things.

But the consulting profession is demanding: it’s better to ask a question than take the risk of mishandling it. Over time, autonomy comes naturally.

The real challenge in a work-study program is to find the right balance: being proactive without being reckless. Autonomy can’t be taught, it’s shaped by experience.

Every project you master, every manipulation you succeed in, every problem you solve, adds another brick to your confidence. After a few months, you’ll find that questions become rarer, not because you’ve stopped learning, but because you’ve acquired the right reflexes.

2. Understanding EPM business issues before technical ones

In the EPM, as in other fields, nothing is done “by chance”.

A technical error can result in poor analysis or inappropriate business decisions. That’s why understanding the “why” before the “how” is essential.

Analyze, reformulate and validate with the customer: this is the basis for avoiding costly mistakes.

3. Master customer communication as a work-study student

A customer prefers a consultant who says: “I’ll get back to you later today”, rather than a silent expert. rather than a silent expert.

Keeping us informed, warning us if we’re running late: this is what builds a good working relationship and sets you apart as an intern or work-study student.

4. Adopt a consultancy posture from the start of the work-study program

This means:

• Learn to prioritize
• Organizing your work
• Anticipating needs
• Reliability in terms of deadlines
• Daring to say when something isn’t clear

It’s these reflexes that will make the difference.

5. Integrating into Council’s corporate culture

Whether at Smarthys or SQORUS, the internal atmosphere is unique.

Exchange with teams, propose ideas, take part in workshops, get in touch with other departments. This will speed up your integration and opens up new career opportunities.

6. Cultivate self-confidence during your work-study program

It’s normal to have doubts, especially when alternating between jobs.

But if you’re here, it’s because you have potential. Accept that learning takes time, value each step forward, and remember that nobody expects you to know everything from day one.

From work-study to permanent contract: my career in EPM Council

These six tips are the fruit of my personal experience as awork-study student turned EPM consultant. They sum up what enabled me to turn this learning opportunity into a real professional career.

EPM is a demanding but exciting field, where technical rigor must be accompanied by essential human qualities. At SQORUS, I’ve discovered that a well-executed work-study program is not limited to the acquisition of technical skills, but also encompasses the development of professional interpersonal skills.

If you’re about to start your EPM work-study program, we’d like to give you a few tips to keep in mind. They will help you avoid certain pitfalls and make the most of this formative experience.

My final piece of advice? Don’t think of a work-study program as just another box to tick in your academic career, but as the first chapter in a professional story you’re writing.

And who knows? Maybe, like me, you’ll see your work-study program turn into the start of a career in Council. The journey has just begun.