Support with career development

The PAUSE program provides host institutions with additional professional development funding for PAUSE’s beneficiaries. This annual budget is capped at €5,000 per beneficiary. This budget is allocated based on the needs identified during the hosting interview and training needs assessment conducted by your representative in your host institution with you. These needs must be detailed in the Training Needs Assessment Form, to be completed online by your host institution.

Three main areas have been identified. Any training in one of these areas is eligible:

Consolidation of language skills:

• French as a foreign language classes;
• French for academic purposes classes;
• scientific English classes.

Consolidation of skills for scientists:

• seminar/presentation on the research community in France;
• improving written/spoken scientific communication;
• responding to calls for projects;
• identifying funding opportunities;
• preparing for civil service examinations (research roles);
• speaking at seminars/ international conferences: support with mobility;
• building networks in France and Europe.

Consolidation of skills for artists:

• seminars/presentations on the cultural and artistic sector in France;
• improving written/oral communication;
• responding to call for projects;
• identifying funding opportunities;
• prepare for competitive exams (cultural professions);
• speaking at seminars/ international conferences: support with mobility;
• building networks in France and Europe.

Assistance with career planning and finding employment (outside academia)

• familiarization with the world of work in France, techniques and tools for finding employment;
• preparing a career plan;
• developing cross-cutting skills;
• identifying and converting transferable skills;
• preparing a skills assessment / professional coaching;
• identifying potential employers: research organizations, companies, public institutions, non-profit associations;
• referrals to potential employers.

In partnership with the Association Bernard Gregory and Action Emploi Réfugiés we provide one or two training sessions per year focusing on finding employment.

The Association Bernard Gregory specializes in providing support to doctoral students, doctorate holders and researchers on the employment market in France, in particular outside academia.

Action Emploi Réfugiés works with refugees seeking employment.

These group sessions cover the following topics:

• providing an overview of the labor market in France;
• helping to prepare a career plan;
• developing and using your network for professional development;
• promoting your research experience and skills;
• preparing for the recruitment process;
• connect with potential employers and job offers.

Registration is required for these training courses. Places are usually limited to twelve people.

Contact us at pause@college-de-france.fr for more information and session dates.

APEC (the Association for professional employment) is committed to the recruitment and professional development of scientists in exile. This French recruitment specialist offers expertise and support services.

Via individual interviews, this support aims to:

• evaluate your career situation;
• help you identify potential avenues when your contract in the host institution comes to an end;
• provide information about the employment market for skilled roles and best practice for seeking employment;
• help you to prepare for the transition from the public sector to the private sector;
• provide career planning follow-up and recommend other stakeholders in the professional development consultancy field.

Are you planning to set up a business or start-up?

The non-profit association SINGA offers personalized support with setting up a business, and professional training courses. This support is specifically for people in exile and forced migrants.

Find out about SINGA’s entrepreneurship support

In association with SINGA, The Human Safety Net project helps refugee entrepreneurs set up their own businesses. The best projects selected can join this free incubator program and receive support in the form of training courses, coaching, access to work spaces, and funding. PAUSE program beneficiaries with project plans are encouraged to apply.