In celebration of the annual France Alumni Day, this forum aims to bring together students from the Chicago metropolitan area and professionals - French or American - who are well-connected to France.
France Alumni Day – Des talents pour changer le monde
This event is open to former students who have studied or worked in France, or to anyone considering a French experience. This includes higher education, short or long term study abroad programs, research, internships, language courses or teaching assistantships.
Participants interested in French connections will have access to a panel of professionals and listen to the insights of 4 American alumni with a French experience. A free professional development workshop will also be available to interested attendees (space limited). The cocktail will offer networking opportunities.
This is a free event, but registration is mandatory. Register here
The event will take place on April 30 at the Alliance francaise de Chicago, located at 54 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60610.
Program | 3:00 - 8:00pm
Booths | 3:00 – 5:30pm
Villa Albertine, Office for Science and Technology, Alliance française de Chicago, American Association of French Teachers, French Tech and French-American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago.
PROGRAM
PANEL | 3: 15 to 4:30pm
Employment and business opportunities with the French community
Gain insight into how French-American collaborations can create unique career pathways. Professionals will discuss how experiences tied to France enhance opportunities and bring added value in today’s global workplace.
Philippe Carlier, VP Operations at the French-American Chamber of Commerce
Larry Kuiper, Associate Professor of French and Chair of the Department of Global Studies, UW-Milwaukee
Myriam Le Cannellier, Executive Director US and recruiter at Alexander Hughes
Elodie Relier, Foreign Investment Director, Industry & Infrastructures Division, Business France North America
Chloé Spano, VP Business Development and Innovation at Vix Technology and board member of the French Tech Chicago
WORKSHOP | 4: 30 to 5:30pm
Networking Strategies and Crafting Your Pitch
Led by Aida Camara-Crowder, Founder of Next Land Consulting
This interactive session invites 20 participants to discover effective networking techniques for advancing their careers—locally and globally. Attendees will also have the chance to refine their professional pitch and develop a personalized career strategy. Register here
ALUMNI’S NARRATIVES | 5:30- 6:45pm
Introduction & keynote speeches
Mary Ellen Connellan, Executive Director – Alliance française de Chicago
Yannick Tagand, Consul general of France in Chicago
Anne-Lise Riles, Associate Provost for Global Affairs and professor of law and anthropology.
Panel: Studying or working in France: a gate to opportunity
Four American alumni will share their experiences in France—as interns, students, or Teaching assistants— and on its durable impact on their career.
Rachel Geistfeld, Talent Development Consultant at Business France (former TAPIF English assistant)
Brendan Hall, MA of Architecture/MA of Landscape Architecture student at the Illinois Institute of Technology (former intern in the City/Cité program)
Jeff Hutter, Teacher of French, North Shore Country Day School, Winnetka (former TAPIF English assistant)
Emma Kaufman, PhD student in Physics & Astronomy at Northwestern University (former Chateaubriand fellow)
Bernard Ramos, Vice President of Educational Perspectives (former mobility student)
COCKTAIL & NETWORKING | 6:45- 8:00pm
Register here
Organizers
