Student stories

"Entering the ENS after the B/L competition, I chose without hesitation to follow a program in economics. The solid training in econometrics, micro, macro and mathematics allows to acquire indispensable methodological skills whereas applied economics courses allow to explore fields where to pursue our research. In this regard, I discovered an interest for the geographical economy that led me to do my M1's thesis in urban economy, under the direction of Pierre-Philippe Combes, about knowledge spillovers. The program becomes strongly meaningful during the internship that we may do. It is an opportunity to apply our knowledge, develop other skills on the job and reinforce our career aspirations.

My internship at the European Commission in the firm of Commissioner Moscovici allowed me to use my knowledge in monetary economics and macro international and to acquire currents drafting techniques in the administration: briefing notes, memos etc. In another way, my internship at the "Direction Générale du Trésor" led me to strengthen my interest for public economy issues, in particular the subjects of education economy, to learn the rigour of an economic administration and to strengthen my willingness to work in this field after my studies."

"I arrived at the school in 2016 with the desire to focus on social science research - but without really knowing which discipline! In Master 1 at the ENS I was able to benefit from rigorous training in economics (which proved to be a passion for me) while continuing to study sociology, that I did not want to leave completely. This double specialization in Master 1 has pushed me towards my preferred field: network economics. Thus, before my Master 2, I was able to deepen my research projects by being supervised by one of the world's leading specialists in network economics during a one-year stay at Harvard University. At ENS I appreciated the proximity with the professors and was impressed by their commitment to helping the students in their projects."

"In 2017, when I arrived at the "Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon", my professional project was not finalized yet, but I was rather interested in a career as a senior civil servant. That’s why I chose to go into economics. The courses offered at the ENS gave me a broad skills base, but also helped me to clarify my research interests, through applied economics courses. I have thus discovered a strong interest in issues of ethnicity and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa, a dynamic field of research in economics and political science. In order to deepen my knowledge of these topics, I am currently a visiting student at the University of Chicago. I’m attached to the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts, a conflict research centre that brings together economists like James Robinson, Roger Myerson and Christopher Blattman.

In order to strenghten my professional project, I also had the opportunity to work in two very rewarding internships, each lasting about two months. During summer 2018, I joined the political chancellery of the French Embassy in Togo. I assisted the ambassador and advisors in monitoring political news, writing speeches and organizing events. In addition to this experience, I joined the "Inspection Générale des Finances" during summer 2019 as a Mission Assistant. This has led me to mobilize the skills learned at the ENS in a more practical context, to help in the production of a public policy evaluation report. The involvement of ENS teachers was decisive in finding each of these work experiences."

"I joined the Ecole Normale Supérieure after two years of "classe préparatoire B/L". I had a rather economics/mathematics profile and I therefore logically continued in economics. The training provided at the ENS in Lyon is rigorous and comprehensive; it enables solid theoretical and applied knowledge to be acquired very quickly. In addition, the ENS offers a very important socialisation to research, which is an interesting opportunity. I have became a research assistant under the direction of Mathieu COUTTENIER, for whom I wrote a literature review on the economic determinants of deforestation. I am also responsible for analyzing data on various topics. This work led me to write my research paper on a microeconomic model that uses the tools of game theory to analyze deforestation dynamics in India, Nepal and Indonesia. This theoretical model also study the optimal conditions of different tools which aim at reducing deforestation (notably the introduction of contracts).

In addition, the knowledge learned is very quickly operational, whether it is for research assistant work, paper writing or during internships. Indeed, I had the chance to do an internship at the Banque de France under the direction of Sylvie GOULARD (second deputy governor). I have worked on issues related to the economy of climate change, a field of research I am passionated in. I want to become a researcher, and the internship opportunities as well as the possibility to conduct a long research project are assets that will undoubtedly enable me to carry out my thesis under the best possible conditions."