Justine Noyer (parisnanterre.fr) is one of the EDUC Project officers at University Paris Nanterre. Her journey with the EDUC Alliance began during her PhD.
In 2021, she was awarded a doctoral contract funded by EDUC and co-supervised between the University Paris Nanterre and the University of Cagliari. That opportunity marked the beginning of a rich and inspiring path across borders, disciplines, and formats of learning.
“As a doctoral student, I eagerly embraced the diverse initiatives offered by EDUC – online learning modules, mobility programs like summer schools, and collaborative research networks,” she recalls
Transformative experience
Nevertheless, one of the most transformative experiences came in May 2024, when Noyer participated in the very first edition of the Talents and Entrepreneurial Skills Days (TESE Days), hosted at the University of Cagliari.
Further reading on EDUC TESE Days 2024: A Success for Education and Entrepreneurship
This two-day event brought together PhD candidates from across the alliance with the goal of identifying and sharpening their entrepreneurial and professional skills.
“I found the experience not only dynamic and intellectually stimulating, but also deeply personal. The program, based on methods like Ikigai, guided us in mapping our strengths, aligning our ambitions, and practicing how to communicate our expertise beyond academia,” Noyer says.
What struck her the most was the diversity of the participants:
“Coming from a range of disciplines, we were continuously reshuffled into different groups, encouraging interaction across fields and perspectives. This not only made the activities lively and collaborative, but also helped me refine how I present my research to non-specialist audiences – an invaluable skill in today’s interdisciplinary world,” Noyer says.
The Career Fair was another highlight. Simulating real-life interviews and offering direct feedback, it allowed her to immediately apply what she had developed in the workshops.
“It was energizing, challenging, and incredibly useful in preparing for life after the PhD,” she says.
Bridging the Gap
Just a few months after the TESE Days, she defended her thesis – and shortly after, she was recruited as a project officer for research within UPN’s EDUC team.
“I am convinced that my participation in TESE Days helped me better understand how to bridge the gap between my doctoral training and the professional world. The experience boosted my confidence and helped me communicate my value more clearly to potential employers,” Noyer says.
Now, on the other side of the table as an EDUC staff member, she is thrilled to see the second edition of the TESE Days coming to life in June 2025 at the University of Rennes. The application deadline for this event has now passed (7 April. 2025)
“What’s more, the feedback we shared as participants last year has been taken seriously and integrated into the improved format of this upcoming event – a testament to the alliance’s commitment to listening and evolving,” she says.
Noyer calls out to all her fellow PhD students across the EDUC universities:
“Whether you are in the early stages of your doctorate or preparing your next career step, the TESE Days are an empowering space to explore your potential, meet inspiring peers, and take your future into your own hands.”