Back

A Junior Enterprise (JE) is a student-run consulting firm whose mission is not only to carry out projects for companies, but also to train students. With IÉSEG CONSEIL, IÉSEG’s Junior Enterprise, this ambition becomes a reality: enabling students to apply their academic knowledge to real and strategic challenges faced by clients.

Just like a traditional consulting firm, the Junior Enterprise responds to calls for tenders, develops tailored methodologies, collects and analyzes data, and then delivers recommendations. The services offered are wide-ranging: market analysis, communication strategy, human resources, financial services, as well as customer experience and CSR. The only difference lies in its DNA: it is run by students, trained internally, supported in their skill development, and given real responsibilities.

From theory to a consultant’s mindset: an experience that complements academic courses

At IÉSEG, students acquire methods and tools, but within IÉSEG CONSEIL, they put them directly into practice. The JE creates a bridge between the theory learned in class and the concrete expectations of the business world. A sales course becomes a real negotiation, and a project management class turns into leading studies over several weeks with deadlines and budgets to meet.

The Junior Enterprise offers a true learning experience through managing an organization, defining budgets, leading teams, and handling contractual responsibility. After just a few weeks of internal training, students meet their first clients and quickly take on the role of consultants, while still being supervised.

This rigor and support explain the national reputation of IÉSEG CONSEIL, which is regularly awarded and was recognized as the Best Junior Enterprise in France for the quality of its studies and its professionalism.

Concrete projects, measurable skills

One of the flagship projects carried out by IÉSEG CONSEIL was for Toyota, in a context of accelerating electrification of vehicle fleets. Facing competitors such as Renault and Peugeot, the manufacturer sought to adapt its positioning in the electric utility vehicle market. Students surveyed more than 1,500 craftsmen and fleet managers across France, leading a large-scale national study. Beyond data analysis and strategic recommendations, this project strengthened project management skills, understanding of a regulated sector, the ability to work under pressure, and the capacity to defend recommendations in front of executives. The results showed a significant increase in electric vehicle sales following the study.

In another context, a project carried out for LCL focused on employer branding among students. In a banking sector facing recruitment challenges, IÉSEG CONSEIL surveyed more than 1,200 students to understand their career aspirations and their perception of employers. The study was complemented by a benchmark of the most attractive companies. Students developed skills in quantitative analysis, strategic monitoring, and formulating short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations. Regular interactions with the client also strengthened their communication skills and adaptability.

In Lille, the collaboration with Kiabi illustrates the importance of long-term support. Commissioned to analyze the perception of a new product range before, during, and after its launch, the Junior Enterprise conducted in-store surveys and tracked changes in consumer expectations. This project enabled students to understand retail challenges, build long-term trust, and grasp the logic of strategic partnerships beyond one-off deliverables.

Finally, beyond consulting projects, collaborations with major partners such as BNP Paribas, Alten, and EY help strengthen IÉSEG’s professional ecosystem. Building these partnerships develops skills in networking, institutional negotiation, and event organization. It also creates concrete career opportunities by directly connecting junior entrepreneurs and recruiters through events such as the JE Career Day: 280 junior entrepreneurs and 13 major companies attending specifically to recruit profiles from Junior Enterprises.

A stepping stone into the job market

As students progress within the JE, they gain confidence, rigor, and maturity. They learn to manage a heavy workload alongside their studies, prioritize tasks, work in teams, and maintain a high level of standards. The transformation is noticeable from entry to the end of the program: they become more comfortable with clients, better at handling objections, and more aware of business challenges.

This experience is a true asset in the job market and has enabled many members to secure valuable professional opportunities. This is notably the case for Charles Everaere and Aurélien Maillet, who obtained internships as financial auditors at EY, a major JE partner, as well as Solenn Guingamp, currently a Front Office Trading intern at Société Générale.

By trusting IÉSEG CONSEIL, companies work not only with students, but with the consultants of tomorrow—professionals who are already learning to combine academic excellence with strategic business challenges.